Water quality protection conference held locally draws attendees from all over the state

Kris Olsson presenting at Dec. 10th Water Quality Protection conference held in Freedom Township.

On Dec. 10th a Protecting Water Quality Conference was held at the Freedom Township Hall. Although it was a cold and snowy day, more than 60 people turned out for a series of educational briefings and discussions about ways to protect lakes, rivers, streams, natural watersheds and wells and the role of local government in their protection. Topics including planning, ordinances, storm water management, preservation, emergency planning and pipeline safety were covered. Elected and appointed officials from six townships attended the event as well as members of a variety of water protection groups and interested citizens, some driving as far as 200 miles from northern Michigan and Ohio.

Kris Olson of the Huron River Watershed Council was one of the organizers of the event. She stated, “This conference and workshop reviewed the critical role local governments have in protecting our critical water resources. Harry Sheehan, the Deputy Water Resource Commissioner, Washtenaw County provided an important overview to the audience. Then Sally Rutzky and Erica Perry, Planning Commissioners from Lyndon and Webster Townships–local government officials we have worked with in the past–reported about their local challenges and the way each crafted unique solutions to their water and land protection issues. Our common goal was to share concepts, ideas plus programs so that we can learn from each other’s experience and improve water quality.”

Another presenter, Monica Day, a Michigan State University Extension educator connected local water quality protection to statewide issues, “Water protection and safety has been on the news-we started by highlighting recent water issues in Flint , Toledo algae problems and local challenges,” she said. “After, we focused on ways the government officials down to the local level can learn from their counterparts and work together with other groups and citizens to protect water quality. County, township officials, water conservation groups and citizens shared their water protection concepts and ideas at the conference and this resulted in many lively discussions.”

The conference was co-hosted by Huron River Watershed Council, Michigan State University Extension, Michigan Lake and Stream Associations, Washtenaw County, Water resource Commission, Washtenaw County Emergency Management, Freedom Township, The Pleasant Lake Property Owners Association and Citizen’s Respecting Our Waters (CROW) groups.

Check back in January for more informative articles on this topic.

Working session at Dec. 10th conference.

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.