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Executive Committee meets July 28 SEMCOG's Executive Committee will meet at 1 p.m. on Friday, July 28, 2006, in SEMCOG's downtown Detroit office. Action items to be considered include:
Also on the agenda are featured speakers Robert Ficano, Wayne County Executive, and Dr. Mulugetta Birru, Executive Director, Wayne County Economic Development. They will discuss their vision for a Wayne County Aerotropolis and the benefits that this development would provide for the region. In addition, a summary of the progress in meeting the goals and objectives of the 2030 Regional Transportation Plan for Southeast Michigan through implementation of the Transportation Improvement Program in 2005 will be presented. Contact: Kathleen Lomako, SEMCOG Deputy Executive Director.
Heat wave, but no Ozone Action days. Why? Through Tuesday, July 18, 2006, in the midst of the summer's first intense heat wave, no Ozone Action days have been called for Southeast Michigan. Why? Southeast Michigan has not experienced high levels of harmful ozone so far this summer because of a cleaner starting background. When it's been hot, we've also experienced increased cloud cover, higher wind speed, and adequate rainfall. All of these factors help to dilute and discourage any increases in ozone brought on by warm weather. This has been an unusual summer; the 12 previous years of the Ozone Action program had all experienced at least one Ozone Action day at this time in the summer season. SEMCOG does encourage Southeast Michigan residents to practice "good habits every day." For a list of things to do everyday, please visit www.semcog.org, click on the "Ozone Action" logo on the home page, then "Tips" in the left column. Contact: Sue Stetler, SEMCOG Communications Director.
Practicing good car care will help improve water quality in Southeast Michigan With more than four million vehicles in Southeast Michigan, SEMCOG reminds vehicle owners that going to the car wash, rather than doing it yourself at home, is one way to help keep our lakes and rivers clean. Everyone can clean up with the summer car wash special! Take you car to a car wash and help protect water quality. Go to www.semcog.org and link on the "Ours to Protect" logo for a car wash coupon to one of the participating Midwest Carwash Association car washes (list is on the coupon) good now through the end of August. They will make a contribution to the Clinton River Watershed Council, Friends of the Rouge, and Huron River Watershed Council, for each coupon received. If dirty water from washing cars or motor fluids gets into neighborhood storm drains or roadside ditches, local waterways become polluted. Anything that gets into neighborhood storm drains or roadside ditches goes untreated into local waterways. Here is a list of individual actions that will result in a clean, well-running vehicle and also protect the region's lakes and rivers. Make a date. Car wash facilities treat their dirty water before discharging it to lakes and rivers. So, make a date to take your car to a car wash. Wash it — on the grass. If you wash your car at home, consider washing it on the lawn. Or, if you can't use the lawn, try to direct the dirty water towards and lawn and away from the storm drain. Take advantage of business expertise. Consider taking your vehicle to the shop to have the oil and other fluids changed. These businesses have the ability to recycle the used materials and clean up accidental spills. Maintain it. Keep vehicles properly tuned. Use the owner's manual to guide decisions about how often it is necessary to change fluids such as oil and antifreeze. Minimize it. Reduce the amount of soap you use or wash your car with plain water. Recycle. If you choose to change your oil and other fluids yourself, label the waste containers. Then, take them to your community's household hazardous waste collection day or to a business that accepts used oil. Never dump used oil, antifreeze, or other fluids on the ground or down the storm drain. Soak it up. Use kitty litter promptly to absorb small amounts of spilled vehicle fluids. Then sweep it into a bag and throw it in the trash. Do it under cover. Perform vehicle maintenance in a well-ventilated, but covered location, like a garage. This minimizes rainfall from washing those inevitable spills and drips into waterways. Additional information, as well as posters and tip cards, can be found on the "Our Water. Our Future. Ours to Protect." Web site, accessible from SEMCOG's home page. Contact: SEMCOG Information Services.
Workshops on environmental education curriculum scheduled Environmental education materials for Michigan schools are now available from the Michigan Environmental Educational Curriculum Support (MEECS), the result of a project developed by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and the Michigan Department of Education, in collaboration with various partners around the state. MEECS contains five Michigan-specific educational units that provide an opportunity for students in grades 4-9 to learn about the state's economy and environment. MEECS training workshops for teachers are scheduled at various locations statewide through October. The workshops provide curricula materials and detailed training to assist teachers in using the materials in their classroom. Most school districts in Southeast Michigan are required to participate in a stormwater permit program (Phase II Stormwater Regulations). Attending the training and incorporating the lesson plans into school curricula would help meet these federal requirements. Here is a list of workshops scheduled in Southeast Michigan.
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