environment

MDARD Lifts Ban on Bird Exhibits Just in Time for Fair Season

There’s good news for those who love looking at the poultry and waterfowl exhibits at county fairs. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has lifted the statewide temporary ban that was imposed to limit the risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza.

The goal of going thirty days without a new breakout of the virus has been met, so the ban has been lifted, but that does not mean that the highly contagious virus is completely gone.

State Veterinarian Dr. Nora Wineland said, “Even though the state has been able to reach this incredibly important benchmark, this does not mean the virus has left Michigan. HPAI continues to be detected in wild birds throughout the state, which is not unexpected as the virus is known to be carried by wild birds. Since the virus is still present in the environment, it is still crucial for owners and caretakers of domestic birds to take every step possible to protect their flocks.”

There isn’t believed to be a risk to humans from bird flu, but poultry and egg products should always be fully cooked and precautions should be taken when dealing with live birds, including poultry and waterfowl.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

EGLE Awards Clean Water Grants to Port Huron, Capac, and 13 Other Municipalities

Port Huron is one of fifteen communities awarded a MI Clean Water Grant from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.

Port Huron’s award is $330,649 to be used for water system enhancement through Distribution System Materials Inventory development and Asset Management Plan updates.

Port Huron Mayor Pauline Repp said, “We are extremely grateful for this partnership with EGLE to be a recipient of a Drinking Water Asset Grant. With this grant, we will be able to inventory 375 water services, helping us to continue offering safe, clean drinking water to our residents.” 

The Village of Capac received a $503,536 award for water system enhancement.

EGLE reports that the grants are part of a program developed under the Clean Water Plan. The goal is to help drinking water suppliers develop and update asset management plans and develop an inventory system to identify materials such as lead service lines.

A statewide effort continues to replace lead service lines and identify and remove contaminants that threaten the safety of the drinking water supply.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Lynnea McFadden Takes Director Job at Friends of the St. Clair River

The Friends of the St. Clair River organization has added a Director of Programs and Services to their roster, with the hiring of Lynnea McFadden.

McFadden has a bachelor’s degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Management from Lake Superior State University and a Master of Science degree in Conservation Biology from Central Michigan University.

McFadden told us that she is very excited to join Friends of the St. Clair River, saying, “I join Friends of the St. Clair River combining my backgrounds in Conservation Biology and education.  Much of my past experience lies in private landowner conservation efforts across the state as well as teaching environmental science at Saint Clair County Community College.”

McFadden said she is excited for the opportunity to further enhance local natural resources and work with partners and community members to boost conservation efforts within the Blue Water area to maintain safe and healthy drinking water, fish and wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities.

Visit scriver.org to get involved with Friends of the St. Clair River.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Bird Flu Found in Local Fox Kits

Bird flu is making its way into local wild mammals. The Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza virus was found in young red foxes, or kits, from Lapeer, Macomb, and St. Clair counties. The virus mainly affects poultry, waterfowl, raptors, and scavengers.

The fox kits were reported to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources because of signs of illness they were exhibiting. Two foxes died within hours of collection, one at a later time, and one survived, but it developed blindness and is now housed at a nature center.

Megan Moriarty, the state wildlife veterinarian with the DNR, said, “HPAI H5N1 viruses may occasionally transmit from birds to mammals, as occurred in these cases, and there may be additional detections in other mammals during this outbreak, but they likely will be isolated cases. At this point, it is unclear how the fox kits became infected, but it’s possible that they were exposed by consuming infected birds, such as waterfowl.”

How to Report Suspected HPAI:

Calling the DNR Wildlife Disease Laboratory at 517-336-5030.

Calling a local DNR field office to speak to a field biologist.

Using the DNR’s Eyes in the Field app. Choose the “diseased wildlife” reporting option.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

No Poultry Exhibits at Fairs Thanks to Bird Flu

The spread of Highly Pathogenic Bird Flu is causing some changes to summer traditions like poultry exhibits and petting zoos at fairs, like the St. Clair County 4-H and Youth Fair. Poultry exhibits are now temporarily prohibited. 

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s State Veterinarian, Dr. Nora Wineland, said, “MDARD is committed to protecting the health of all Michigan’s domestic birds. Preventative measures are the best and only tools we have to limit the negative impact of HPAI. By exercising this necessary precaution, we can wait for the warmer, drier weather needed to kill the virus without creating conditions that could worsen the problem.”

Dr. Wineland said, “By taking this step now, it is hoped that poultry exhibitors can still participate in fair activities once circumstances have improved.” Poultry exhibits can be reinstated once the state goes thirty days with no new cases of the Bird Flu. 

The contagious virus was found in a commercial poultry operation in Muskegon and has been found in several backyard coops and in wild birds. MDARD says that the virus does not pose a food safety risk if poultry and eggs are cooked and handled properly. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Flint Water Crisis Claim Deadline Extended to June 30th

The claims period for the Flint Water Settlement has been extended to June 30, 2022. There is a little more time to file for compensation for those affected by lead-contaminated municipal water.

Those who file won’t know how much money they could get until the claims process ends. The individual settlement amounts will depend on the number of claims submitted and found to be eligible.

The agreement with the State of Michigan, the City of Flint, McLaren Regional Medical Center, and Rowe Professional Services Company specifies that about 80% of the net settlement fund will go to children who were minors first exposed to Flint River water, with a large majority going to children age six and under. Two percent of the settlement is earmarked for special education services.

The defendants are contributing $626.25 million to the settlement fund.

A telephone line has been established to help filers get their paperwork obtained and submitted.

Registrants are encouraged to submit their claims as soon as possible. The claims administrator has established a telephone help line that registrants can call for assistance in any aspect of the claims process. That telephone number is (800) 493-1754. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland