Jon W. Allan, Director Office of the Great Lakes

Water Strategy

In his Energy and Environment message, Governor Snyder asked the Office of the Great Lakes to lead development of a Water Strategy based on an ecosystem approach.

– Roadmap for future water use, enjoyment and conservation of water resources.

– Reflects themes on how water matters to regions, communities and people

– Emphasis on restoring hydrologic integrity

– Encompasses all Michigan’s water resources and their use

Engagement Strategy

• 10 regions, 16 communities, tribal governments

• One on one presentations and conversations – Build upon previous and existing work and

relationships – Improve methods of engaging the public – Understand what groups and individuals value most about water – Test community ability to coalesce around vision

and implement strategies

• Reconvening Ten Regional Roundtables • Six Community Conversations

- Saginaw, July 16 - 7 p.m.

- Detroit, July 28 – 6 p.m.

- Ann Arbor, July 29 – 7 p.m.

- Marquette, August 4 – 7 p.m.

- Traverse City, August 5 – 7 p.m.

- Grand Rapids, August 13 – 7 p.m.

• Comments due Friday, August 28, 2015

Engagement Strategy

Our Vision

Michigan’s water resources support a healthy

environment, healthy citizens, vibrant communities and sustainable economies.

Water Strategy Engagement Strategy

• 30 year vision

• 9 Goals, 9 Outcomes

• 62 Recommendations, 22 priorities

• Metrics for Measuring Progress and Success

• 5 year implementation plan

• Audience

Protect and Restore Aquatic Ecosystems

Key Recommendations: – Prevent introduction of invasive species. – Develop a comprehensive strategy to address nuisance algal

blooms. – Address storm water through green infrastructure, low impact

development and green spaces.

Ensure Clean and Safe Waters

Key Recommendations: – Protect drinking and source water from

contamination. – Pass a statewide sanitary code. – Secure long-term funding to accelerate

clean-up of contaminated sites. – Establish priorities and address

emerging pollutants of concern.

Create Vibrant Waterfronts

Key Recommendations: – Leverage water assets at state, regional

and local level. – Support investments in commercial

harbors and ports and address long-term maritime and infrastructure needs.

Support Water-Based Recreation

Key Recommendations: – Expand real-time monitoring of

beaches. – Make investments in recreational

harbors to address infrastructure. – Develop and implement a water

trails system.

Promote Water-Based Economies

Key Recommendations: – Accelerate water technologies to solve

water problems. – Establish voluntary water efficiency

targets for all major water dependent sectors.

– Develop a water conservation and reuse strategy.

Invest in Water Infrastructure

Key Recommendation: – Establish a long-term Water Fund to achieve Water Strategy

goals including water infrastructure management.

Monitor Water Quality

Key Recommendations: – Implement a pilot water

resource decision framework. – Support groundwater and

surface water monitoring.

Build Governance Tools

Key Recommendations: – Create an integrated system for managing water at the local

level. – Retain full authority to continue to manage Michigan’s water

resources.

Inspire Stewardship for Clean Water

Key Recommendations: – Integrate water literacy into state of Michigan

curriculum standards. – Build volunteer opportunities and partnerships

Implementation Plan

• 5 years • Implementation metrics • Lead actor – initiator, convener, facilitator, implementer • Establish 6 month, 12 month, 2 year priorities

– Develop 12 month work plan for key priorities – Assess current progress to implement recommendations

• Identify areas others have interest to lead

Thank you

Comments due Friday, August 28, 2015 Mi-waterstrategy@michigan.gov

Office of the Great Lakes

www.michigan.gov/waterstrategy 517-284-5035