Our Michigan waterways are important to protect! They provide transit for goods, an environment for fish and aquatic life, and recreation for people of all ages. That is why the city of Ecorse is interested in the preservation and protection of water quality.
Tips for Residents
Shown below are some ways residents can get informed and get involved in taking care of our rivers either at home or by volunteering.
The Huron River Watershed Council gives some great ideas on how residents can take action.
Click here to find out https://www.hrwc.org/take-action/
Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has some tips on how you can
help improve rainage quality at home,
available here. https://www.michigan.gov/documents/egle/wrd-nps-practical-tips_661713_7.pdf
EGLE’s information webpage contains educational posters, pamphlets, and fun games for kids!
https://www.michigan.gov/egle/0,9429,7-135-3313_71618_3682_3714-106374--,00.html
The Wayne County Environmental Services Group provides information regarding public meetings, construction information, and other environmental updates on their website, located here. https://www.waynecounty.com/departments/environmental/water-quality-management.aspx
Government Best Practices
The protection of our natural resources falls on everyone to cooperate, which is why the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has created a Stormwater Management Plan (SMP) to standardize the process in which they handle stormwater. These practices make reducing stormwater pollution simpler and easier for MDOT and contractors under them.
https://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,4616,7-151-9621_11041_91575---,00.html
The South-East Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) is a membership of townships, villages, and cities in seven counties that improves coordination within the region on transportation, environment, and economic decisions. Available here is a link to their homeowner page, which gives concise information on how to avoid polluting stormwater.
https://www.semcog.org/protect-our-waterways
Available here is SEMCOG’s regulations and training materials for local municipalities.
https://www.semcog.org/stormwater#63415--phase-ii-regulations
Source: NickTheGamerNerd on reddit (ecorseriver.jpg)
Alliance of Downriver Watersheds
The Alliance of Downriver Watersheds is an organization formed in 2007 to protect the water resources in the Downriver region from pollution. Ecorse is a member of the ADW and adheres to guidelines according to the MS4 Compliance Program. MS4 stands for Municipal Separate Stormwater Sewer System, and refers to any drainage system such as catch basins or ditches that allow surface water to reach our rivers. This system allows for standards to be set on the level of pollutants released into a waterway. Their website can be found here.
https://allianceofdownriverwatersheds.com/
The ADW approved Watershed Management Plan can be found on the ADW’s website:
https://allianceofdownriverwatersheds.com/initiatives/
Found here is ADW’s Illicit Discharge Elimination Plan, which mandates levels on certain pollutants that participating municipalities are to keep track of.
https://www.allianceofdownriverwatersheds.com/wp-content/uploads/adw_collaborative_idep_approved.pdf
“The Ecorse Creek Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) is available here: https://allianceofdownriverwatersheds.com/wp-content/uploads/ADW-SWMP-2019.pdf”
Here is a Public Participation Program for encouraging civilian involvement with the current MS4 plan. https://www.allianceofdownriverwatersheds.com/wp-content/uploads/adw_public_participation_program_030917_approved.pdf
Here are the terms and conditions for the Public Education Plan on MS4’s.
https://allianceofdownriverwatersheds.com/wp-content/uploads/adw_stormwater_discharge_permit_app_pep_04192019_approved.pdf
This plan addresses targets that ADW would like municipalities to meet regarding quality of outflow to
rivers.https://allianceofdownriverwatersheds.com/wp-content/uploads/adw_tmdl_plan_2019_final.pdf
This table shows what actions the city of Ecorse has taken to protect the environment and economy. MS4PlanPriorityActionTable.pdf (Turned into a PDF for accessibility)
This Watershed Management Plan has been prepared for the Ecorse Creek Watershed by the Ecorse Creek Watershed Advisory Group and the Alliance of Downriver Watersheds: https://www.allianceofdownriverwatersheds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/ecorse_creek_wmp.pdf
The Wayne County Department of Public Services hosts a 24 Hour Environmental Hotline to log and coordinate responses to environmental complaints and concerns of all types. Call (888.223.2363) to report any environmental complaints.