Sustainable Water Strategy plan provides a roadmap for Michigan’s future
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Michigan’s Office of the Great Lakes has released the final draft of its Water Strategy, “Sustaining Michigan’s Water Heritage: A Strategy for the Next Generation.” This draft, compiled over the past two years, provides a roadmap to achieve a 30-year vision of ensuring Michigan’s water resources support healthy ecosystems, citizens, communities and economies.
The plan is open for written comments until Aug. 28. All information, including the full water strategy with or without appendices can be found on the state’s web site at www.michigan.gov/waterstrategy
The strategy was developed via an extensive public process and included tapping input from individuals, communities, organizations, tribal and local governments, businesses, industries and academia. The draft mirrors predominant themes heard throughout meetings across different geographic areas of the state. Members of Michigan Sea Grant and Michigan State University Extension attended meetings and provided input to the process and an extensive appendix details this input.
Key state economic and resource agencies collaborated on the strategy including the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.
In addition to written comments the Office of the Great Lakes is hosting five Community Conversations to discuss the draft Water Strategy. All interested persons are encouraged to attend to learn more about the plan and discuss opportunities for involvement in implementation.
Community Conversations are planned in the following areas:
- Detroit: 6 p.m. July 28 at Michigan Outdoor Adventure Center, 1801 Atwater Street, Detroit, MI 48207
- Ann Arbor: 7 p.m. July 29 at Washtenaw Community College, Room 150, Morris Lawrence Bldg., 4800 E. Huron River Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48105
- Marquette: 7 p.m. Aug. 4 at Marquette Commons,112 South Third Street, Marquette, MI 49855
- Traverse City: 7 p.m. Aug. 5 at Grand Traverse Resort, 100 Grand Traverse Resort Village Blvd., Acme, MI 49610
- Grand Rapids: 7 p.m. Aug. 13 at a location to be confirmed in Grand Rapids, MI.
Michigan’s water heritage is rich and strong and is key to our future quality of life and economic prosperity. Please consider taking time to review this important sustainability strategy for the betterment of our families, our communities and our Great Lakes state.
