How many of you made spending time on or near the water a priority this summer? As snow and ice begin to sneak into the Great Lakes region, many of us wonder how warm summer days with friends and family could have gone by so quickly. Fortunately, this cold weather does provide an opportunity to focus and accomplish many important tasks, and that is exactly what SEMCOG is doing.
Recently, SEMCOG hosted four public stakeholder meetings to help guide the Water Resources Task Force as it crafts the Water Resources Plan for Southeast Michigan. At these meetings, we learned about local priorities related to water infrastructure, natural resources, and the blue economy, which will ultimately guide development of regional policies and implementation activities.
Stakeholder Input Session – St. Clair County, November 10, 2016
These meetings were held in SEMCOG’s more rural counties – Livingston, Monroe, St. Clair, and Washtenaw – to ensure that both rural and urban water priorities are represented in the plan. Overall, all of these counties felt that recreation and access to water were top priorities. Additionally, stormwater, a direct link to water quality and recreation opportunities, was also a top priority in each county. Stormwater was also listed as a top priority in Michigan’s recently released 21st Century Infrastructure Commission Report and continues to be a priority in our region as we implement the Green Infrastructure Vision for Southeast Michigan.
Other priorities that ranked high at the county meetings were drinking water and pollution prevention. Drinking water was the number one priority in three (Monroe, Livingston, and St. Clair) the counties we visited. Similarly, pollution prevention was in the top five priorities for three of the counties (Livingston, St. Clair, and Washtenaw). Top priorities for each county are described in a stakeholder meeting summary.
In addition to these meetings, SEMCOG has surveyed the public to learn more about priorities for parks and recreation and water resources. From these surveys, we learned that many Southeast Michigan residents felt that the quality of lakes, rivers, and streams in their communities is getting somewhat or much better. We also learned that many want more canoe and kayak launches in their parks, as well as increased access to public swimming beaches.
As you can see, the cold weather months are a great time for SEMCOG and our member local governments to collect information, plan, and work toward solutions for our water resources. But don’t forget that winter is also full of opportunities to enjoy Southeast Michigan’s water resources and keep the blue economy vibrant!
Need some ideas? Dig out those cross-country skis or snowshoes and enjoy an excursion along the river. Try ice fishing. Attend a winter festival in your community or dust off those ice skates; there are many winter activities to enjoy. While you’re at it, please take a moment to thank all of the people working hard on winter maintenance this season! We have a lot to be thankful for here in Southeast Michigan – including our water resources. Happy Holidays!
Photo from Warren Cold Rush courtesy of T. Jarrett Photography
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