Coastal Initiative

1
Coastal Initiative
November 29 , 2007 MWEA Seminar Doubletree
Hotel Bay City, Michigan
2
Saginaw Bay Coastal Initiative
Why have an SBCI?

• Identify methods to enhance the economic
  development of the Saginaw Bay coastal area.
• Identify methods to enhance the quality of Bay
  area parks, beaches, and natural areas.
• Seek partnerships to develop new cultural,
  recreational, and social resources for Bay area
  citizens and visitors.
• Work with local interests to improve water
  quality in the Saginaw Bay and associated
  waterways.
• The SBCI focus is to have state, federal and
  local interests work together to achieve
  resource protection, improve environmental
  quality, and expand economic development.

3
Saginaw Bay Coastal Initiative
Who is currently participating in the SBCI?

• Representatives and citizens from communities
  located near and along the Saginaw Bay in
  Arenac, Bay, Iosco, Huron, Saginaw, and Tuscola
  counties.

• Corporate representatives

• Economic development, environmental, and
  local interest and opinion leaders.

• Saginaw Chippewa Tribe

• State, regional, and federal agencies.

4
Initial SBCI Priorities

• Saginaw Bay Algae Human Health Concerns

From Presentation by Julie Dyble, NOAA

• Algae Removal
• And Disposal

5
Recreation and Tourism Opportunities
Initial SBCI Priorities
6
High Quality Wetlands
Initial SBCI Priorities

• Phragmites
• Control

7
Brownfield Redevelopment
Initial SBCI Priorities

• Kawkawlin River Project

• Cass River Project

8
SBCI Priorities 2008

• Create work group to implement Phosphorus
  Policy Advisory
• Committee Report
• recommendations.

Dane County, Wisconsin Phosphorus Control Sign
9
SBCI Priorities 2008
Increase E. coli Control Efforts

• Increase sanitary surveys to
• identify sources
• Evaluate current permitted
• discharges
• Increase beach sanitary surveys
• Survey animal feedlots
• Conduct E.coli genetic testing
• Conduct river screening for source
  identification

10
SBCI Priorities 2008

• Develop and implement
• Kawkawlin River Watershed
• Initiative

• Provide improved access
• to Saginaw Bay

11
SBCI Priorities 2008

• Evaluate effectiveness of
• Bay City State Recreation Area
• beach maintenance efforts.

• Improve local environmental
• education efforts.

12
SBCI Priorities 2008

• Continue Cass River
• Restoration project

• Saginaw River Corridor
• enhancement workgroup

• Incorporate visioning into SBCI efforts

13
SBCI Vision?
Saginaw Bay Beach 1929
Saginaw Bay Beach Future?
Saginaw Bay Beach 2007
14
Saginaw Bay Coastal Initiative

• Web Page Michigan.gov/deq
• Go to Issues to Watch
• Click on Saginaw Bay Coastal Initiative