environment

Blue Water Conservation District Awarded MDARD Funding

The Blue Water Conservation District was a big winner in the $9.7 million allocation of grants for soil, water, and wildlife protection. The Blue Water Conservation District serves St. Clair, Sanilac, and Macomb counties.

Gary McDowell, Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said, “This funding will help support and elevate our conversation district partners. These funds will allow districts to identify and prioritize the most pressing needs in their communities and ensure landowners have access to technical assistance for their farms.”

The Blue Water Conservation District received a $40,000 grant for basic operations, two $73,500 grants as part of the Michigan Agricultural Environmental Assurance Program, and $77,000 from the Conservation Technical Assistance Initiative. They also received $78,500 from the Produce Safety Program.

The Blue Water Conservation District has the goal to “Assist the people of the Blue Water area in the wise use and management of their natural resources for a healthy environment and sustained economic growth.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

EGLE Wants You to Compost that Jack-o-Lantern

Halloween has come and gone, the good candy has been pilfered from the treat bags, and the pumpkins might be headed for the trash can. Not so fast, says the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).

What to do with those slowly rotting jack-o-lanterns is a perennial question around this time of year. EGLE encourages people to compost pumpkins to reduce the amount of waste in landfills and to help nourish the soil.

EGLE recommends starting your own compost heap if possible and using it year-round to recycle food and garden scraps into rich soil. If that’s not possible, they recommend seeking out community composting options.

Aaron Hiday, statewide composting coordinator at EGLE, is encouraging composting for both individual households and communities.

Compost bins can be purchased at home improvement stores or can be constructed with things like old pallets and scrap wood.

Donating pumpkins to a farm with livestock could be an option as well, as most local livestock, like cows, sheep, horses, and chickens love pumpkins.

Visit the links below to learn about composting facilities in St. Clair County and state-wide.

https://recyclesearch.com/profile/michigan-directory/places?q=food+scraps

https://www.stclaircounty.org/offices/landfill/recycle_cmpstdrop.aspx

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

MDARD Proposes Firewood Quarantine to Prevent Invasive Pests

In an attempt to keep invasive plant pests and plant diseases at bay, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is proposing an Exterior Firewood Quarantine and is inviting public comments. 

The proposed exterior firewood quarantine would mean that firewood can’t be shipped into Michigan unless it is heat-treated. Kiln-dried lumber, wood chips smaller than one inch, and wood shipped directly to mills for immediate processing would be exempt from the quarantine. 

Mike Philip, MDARD’s Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division Director explained the reason for the proposal, saying, “Harmful invasive species, some of which are invisible to the naked eye, can hide in or on firewood. While most cannot move too far on their own, these pests and diseases can be transported undetected on traveler’s firewood, starting new infestations in locations hundreds of miles away.” 

Philip said, “These infestations can be devastating and pose a serious threat to Michigan’s agriculture, natural resources and the environment.”

Members of the public interested in providing feedback on this proposed quarantine can submit their comments to Mike Bryan, MDARD Export and Compliance Specialist by emailing BryanM@Michigan.gov. The deadline for comments is Friday, November 19, 2021. Additional information is available at Michigan.gov/Invasives and on MDARD’s plant pest quarantine webpage.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Weatherization Program Helps Reduce Energy Costs

Help is available for low-income Michigan residents who need help winterizing their homes. It might still feel like summer, but winter is on its way, and along with it, high heating costs. Winterization can help reduce household energy costs.

Blue Water Community Action is the provider of the winterization service in St. Clair County. Those who sign up for the program will have trained energy auditors use energy audit software and advanced diagnostic equipment to create a comprehensive energy analysis of their homes.

After analysis, the most cost-effective ways to reduce heating costs are then determined and trained contractors install the energy-efficient health and safety improvements. Examples of improvements are insulation, air sealing, lighting upgrades, and water-saving measures. Safety issues like CO2 exposure, ventilation problems, and system efficiency are also addressed. Improved health outcomes like reduced asthma triggers have been attained with the program.

There are income eligibility requirements and homes must be in adequate condition to handle the upgrades.

Anyone interested in applying for the Weatherization Assistance Program can contact their local provider. 

More information about home energy savings can be found by visiting the websites below that cover:

Air Sealing your home. 

Energy Efficiency Tips from Consumers Energy. 

The Energy Saver Guide from Energy.gov. 

Twenty-five Quick and Easy Energy Saving Tips from Direct Energy. 

Energy Efficiency Tips for Renters and Homeowners from Energy.gov.

Training for those working in the Weatherization Assistance Program is provided by the Michigan Training and Education Center. For more information about the training, visit www.MichiganTEC.org. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Friends of the St. Clair River to Present Improvements in Drinking Water Source

The community is invited to a presentation by the Friends of the St. Clair River on the health of the water used for the area’s drinking water supply.

Chemical spills in the 1980s sparked a “Drinking Water Impairment for the St. Clair River Area of Concern”. There are misconceptions about what that designation means and the presentation is a chance to clear things up. It will be held on Tuesday, October 19th, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. via Zoom. It is free to attend.

A survey was done by the Friends of the St. Clair River this spring to gather residents’ perceptions of the quality of their drinking water and to gauge the understanding of where municipal water comes from and the safety of that supply.

Results of the survey will be shared at the presentation. Water professionals will share information about the treatment process and industry partners on both the U.S. and Canadian sides of the St. Clair River will be on hand to share the progress made over the last three decades.

Sheri Faust of the Friends of the St. Clair River said, “Protecting drinking water is a complex responsibility, and in the case of the St. Clair River, it’s an international responsibility.”

Registration is required at www.scriver.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Port Huron’s Wastewater Treatment Plant Provides Critical Infrastructure for Region

Along with a tour of the water filtration plant, community members were given a look at Port Huron’s Wastewater Treatment Plant last week. It is safe to say that those in attendance were in awe of the extensive effort that goes into taking wastewater from the City and surrounding townships and making it clean enough to safely send back into the St. Clair River.

Dianna Siefert, Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent, has worked at the plant for over 21 years and gave a fascinating presentation to community members who have a stake in the stewardship of the river as well as the local economy that depends on the vital service.

Siefert explained the innovative process that Port Huron uses to collect biosolids from the wastewater and send them out to over 150 farmers to fertilize their fields. It is the biggest recycling program in St. Clair County. She also gave a tour of the facility, which is getting some expensive, yet vital, upgrades.

The plant is massive and can handle up to 20 million gallons of wastewater per day. It usually handles 9.5 million gallons. The plant operates 24 hours per day, 365 days a year with an operating budget of approximately $5 million each year.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland