For Friday, March 17, 2023 ☘️

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1 – A Lakewide Action and Management Plan is out for Lake Huron.

The draft plan is available for review and public comment until May 13. 

The Lakewide Action and Management Plan, or LAMP, was developed by the Lake Huron Partnership, a team of natural resource managers led by the United States and Canada. 

The LAMP identifies key priorities for the lake and St. Marys River, and guides the coordination of environmental protection and restoration activities.

Over the next five years, members of the partnership plan to undertake more than 50 actions to address environmental threats to water quality and ecosystem health. That includes efforts to address contaminated sediment in Saginaw Bay. 

You can find out more by searching for the Lake Huron LAMP at binational.net.

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2 – Did you lose power during recent winter storms? The Michigan Public Service Commission wants to hear about it. 

The commission, which regulates utilities in Michigan including Consumers Energy, has scheduled a series of public town hall meetings to hear from those impacted by recent power outages that left hundreds of thousands of residents without electricity.

The commission will hold a virtual town hall meeting from 6-8 p.m. on March 21.

The link to the March 21 town hall will be posted at Michigan.gov. 

The commission is in the midst of efforts to improve the reliability of the state’s power grid.  

Officials are preparing to launch systemwide audits of the distribution systems of Consumers Energy and DTE Electric to identify shortcomings and explore other issues. 

In addition to attending the in-person or virtual town halls, written comments also may be submitted by mail to Executive Secretary, Michigan Public Service Commission, P.O. Box 30221, Lansing, MI 48909, or by email to mpscedockets@michigan.gov.

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3 – A reminder that comments are being accepted through March 27 on a draft supplemental restoration plan for the Tittabawassee River, Saginaw River and Saginaw Bay. 

Proposed Saginaw Bay Restoration Projects, Scrap Tire Cleanup Tally, Great Lakes Day Priorities

On pages 42 and 43, you’ll find a $360,000 proposal from the Saginaw Bay Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area. 

The project would build on restoration efforts at the Bay City State park, targeting Tobico Marsh and the surrounding area.

Proposed project goals include managing infestations of the invasive phragmites plant on private property adjacent to the state park. 

The project also calls for drone surveys and technical support to private landowners to encourage continued invasive species control and re-establishment of native plants.

– Mr. Great Lakes is heard Fridays at 9:30 a.m. in Bay City, Michigan, on Delta College Public Radio 90.1 FM (listen live). Follow @jeffkart on Twitter #MrGreatLakes

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