Assaults to the health of the Huron River from PFAS, hexavalent chromium and 1,4-dioxane show troubling limitations in Michigan’s ability to protect our waterways under current regulations and enforcement policies. Approximately half of Michigan’s stream miles have failed to meet water quality standards for E. coli from septic system and stormwater sources, including in the Huron River watershed. Aging water infrastructure such as dams, and systems for stormwater and wastewater need innovative sustainable approaches and critical investments to manage increasing rainfall from a changing climate. Natural lands that help keep surface and groundwater clean need protection from development.
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Help us continue the fight to keep our river safe and clean and hold polluters accountable.
HRWC’s Statewide Policy Priorities
HRWC works to advance river-friendly policies in collaboration with our state leaders, watershed groups, environmental organizations, and concerned watershed residents.
Preventing and cleaning up contaminants through polluter accountability
HRWC wants stronger incentives for prevention and requirements for cleaning up releases of toxic chemicals to our environment. Further, regulatory agencies need strengthened authority to implement these laws; including additional funding, stronger mandates, support to deny high-risk permits, and the ability to levy higher penalties associated with violations.
Polluter Pay Bills Need Your Support by David Lossing, October 26, 2023
Using stormwater utilities to fund investments in water infrastructure
Michigan’s water infrastructure is in disrepair and is unable to handle the more extreme events climate change is causing. There is a huge gap between the infrastructure needs of our stormwater systems and the funding available to make those investments. Stormwater utilities are an excellent way to close the funding gap and build a resilient system that protects people, property, and natural resources from the impacts of stormwater.
Preventing pollution from failing septic systems
Michigan is one of few states that does not have a statewide septic code to ensure that private on site wastewater systems are inspected and maintained. As a result, aging septic systems contribute to both nutrient and bacterial contamination of our surface and groundwater.
Protecting lands that work for clean water
To maintain both a hospitable climate and a healthy river system, we must maintain as much of our remaining natural lands as possible. There are multiple state-level policy actions that would support this; including, easing access to Natural Resources Trust Fund and State Revolving Loan Fund monies for land protection, adopting statewide setbacks that limit development adjacent to waterways, and adopting ambitious global initiatives like 30 by 30 that aims to protect 30% of the planet from development by 2030.
Removing dams and supporting science-based river flow management
Most dams are relics of a past use that have aged beyond their intended lifespan. By removing these obsolete and often unsafe obstructions, we restore river flow and ecosystem health while eliminating both the financial liabilities for dam owners and the safety hazards dams pose to communities.
Removing Dams Helps Fish by Sarah Thomas, Lake Erie Unit Manager for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division. March 16, 2022 and Ypsilanti Peninsular Paper Dam, Project Page by HRWC
HRWC successfully advocated for language in Michigan’s Lake Level Control Act to allow dam operators more flexibility to manage river flows to reduce flood risk and drought impacts. Senate Bill 662 was signed into law in 2024
A Policy Win for Rivers by Rebecca Esselman, October 24, 2024 and We Should Make Decisions About River Flows Using Natural Variations by Rebecca Esselman, February 20, 2024
Questions?
Contact David Lossing, HRWC’s Government Relations Director
Take action in support of our policy priorities
Get plugged into our legislative advocacy program! Change Maker Action Alerts will guide you in contacting legislators in our watershed and on key legislative committees.
Sign Up for Change Makers Action Alerts!
Help us continue the fight to keep our river safe and clean and hold polluters accountable.
Donate to the Advocacy Fund!
Resources
Find your State Representative
Read our Blog Posts on our statewide policy work