A lot of my time over the past few months has been spent figuring out how we can eliminate some of the impairments (problems) to sections within our watershed. We know from our monitoring and sampling by DEQ that a number of sections in our watershed are impacted by phosphorus, unnatural flows and resulting erosion, or bacteria. These impaired sections appear on the states impaired waters list.

Thanks to stimulus funds provided through the DEQ, we have been working with our community partners to evaluate six sections of our watershed for current impairment status and recommend activities to eliminate the impairments. Our evaluation included new analysis of pollutant loading based on data collected through our Chemistry and Flow Monitoring program. In several cases, the analysis indicated that past actions have already resulted in pollutant reduction to achieve water quality standards. In others, it suggests that we still have some work to do.

Rain Garden HRWC Ann Arbor
Practices recommended include adding infiltration with projects like rain gardens.

The six plans are now being reviewed by DEQ. You are welcome to review and comment as well. Plans for Livingston County can be found on the Livingston Watershed Advisory Group page, and plans for Washtenaw County can be found on the Middle Huron Stormwater Advisory Group page.

Now that the plans are complete, I am turning my focus toward developing the partnerships and finding funding sources needed to implement the activities we are recommending. All part of the work of a watershed planner here at HRWC.