Reports supported by the Partnership for the Saginaw Bay Watershed
Saginaw River/Bay Area of Concern: Restoration Plan for the Habitat and Populations BUIs
September 2012. This restoration plan summarizes and updates years of work that has advanced restoration of two beneficial use impairments (BUIs) in the Saginaw Bay and River Area of Concern (AOC)—physical habitat degradation and population reductions of key fish and wildlife species.
Status Assessment of the Eutrophication or Undesirable Algae Beneficial Use Impairment in the Saginaw River/Bay Area of Concern
May 2012. Beginning in July 2011, the Partnership began a project to assess the status of the Eutrophication or Undesirable Algae BUI for the Saginaw River/Bay AOC relative to restoration targets developed by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) in 2006 and revised in 2008. Such an effort had not been undertaken since the restoration targets were revised by the MDEQ and accepted by the Partnership. The intent of this effort was to clarify the status of the BUI such that strategic actions could be taken to advance restoration efforts in the AOC relative to this BUI.
Saginaw Bay Watershed and Area of Concern
March 2012. This 12-page publication was created by Public Sector Consultants for the Planning and Zoning Center at Michigan State University. It provides a thorough and comprehensive view of the current status of the Saginaw Bay Watershed and the Area of Concern and details the tremendous amount of work that has taken place over the last 30 years.
An Assessment and Status Report of Beach Closings in the Saginaw River/Bay Area of Concern
April 2011. The Partnership for the Saginaw Bay Watershed (Partnership) hired Public Sector Consultants Inc. (PSC) to conduct an assessment of current beach monitoring efforts, including beach closings, to advance the removal of the Beach Closings Beneficial Use Impairment (BUI) in the Saginaw River/Bay Area of Concern (AOC) pursuant to state removal criteria. Since 1987, through stakeholder involvement, planning, and targeted restorative actions, two BUIs have been removed, Tainting of Fish and Wildlife Flavor and Restrictions on Drinking Water Consumption or Taste and Odor Problems.
Saginaw River/Bay Area of Concern: Habitat Restoration Plan Update and Target Review
October 2010. Beginning in November 2009, the Partnership embarked on a project to reassess progress toward meeting the habitat restoration targets in the Saginaw River/Bay AOC that were established in 2000. When the 2008 analysis of protected wetlands was conducted the Partnership agreed that until the targets were achieved a biennial review is desirable to assess progress. Once the habitat targets are met the Partnership can petition the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for formal removal of this BUI.
Saginaw River/Bay Area of Concern: Habitat Restoration Plan
June 2008. This restoration plan summarizes years of work that have contributed to the imminent restoration of two BUIs in the Saginaw River/Bay AOC. These BUIs relate to physical habitat degradation and related population reductions of key fish and wildlife species. This plan also discusses and updates restoration targets that were initially set by the Partnership for the Saginaw Bay Watershed in 2000.
Enhancing Fish Passage over Low-head Barrier Dams in the Saginaw River Watershed
December 2005. In October 2003, the Partnership hired PSC to conduct an assessment and develop information for communities and resource managers to help identify the most cost-effective options – including dam removal – for enhancing fish passage over barrier dams to achieve the targeted, sustainable fish population goals for Saginaw Bay. This report is intended to help dam owners make informed and collaborative decisions about the future of their dam. It strives to establish social, economic, and ecological contexts for decision making and describes potential costs and benefits of enhancing fish passage in several key tributaries in the Saginaw River watershed.
Targeting Environmental Restoration in the Saginaw River/Bay Area of Concern: 2001 Remedial Action Plan Update
July 2001. The Saginaw River and Bay were designated by the International Joint Commission (IJC) as one of the major pollution areas in the Great Lakes in 1973, a year after the first Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement between the United States and Canada was signed-a commitment by both countries to cooperatively manage their shared water resources and recommend actions for protection. In the last 30 years major commitments have been made by local, state, and federal interests to improve the quality of Saginaw River and Saginaw Bay, resulting in significant improvement to the environment; however, additional work remains to be done.
Measures of Success: Addressing Environmental Impairments in the Saginaw River and Saginaw Bay
August 2000. The Measures of Success report focuses on the concerns that originally led to the designation of the Saginaw River/Bay as an Area of Concern. The report is not meant to be a comprehensive analysis of all the problems impacting the river and bay, many of which have emerged over the last 30 years. Instead, it provides a foundation for redirecting and refocusing efforts required to achieve and sustain the full potential benefits of this valuable natural resource.
Remedial Action Plans for the Saginaw River/Bay Area of Concern
2012: Stage 2 Remedial Action Plan for the Saginaw River/Bay Area of Concern
Office of the Great Lakes, Great Lakes Management Unit, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
Water Bureau, Aquatic Nuisance Control & Remedial Action Unit, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
Public Sector Consultants, Inc. Prepared for The Great Lakes Commission
Public Sector Consultants, Inc. Prepared for The Partnership for the Saginaw Bay Watershed
1995: Saginaw River/Bay Remedial Action Plan: Draft 1995 Biennial Report Volume I
Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Surface Water Quality Division
1988: Remedial Action Plan for Saginaw River and Saginaw Bay Area of Concern
Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Surface Water Quality Division, Great Lakes and Environmental Assessment Section
WaterLogged Wetland Documentary
During the summer of 2011, filmmakers followed crews from Central Michigan University and the University of Notre Dame as they worked to preserve and restore the Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands. View the video on YouTube.