Mud Busters
Washtenaw County,
MI
Grantee:
Huron River Watershed Council
Basin Program Funds:
$12,811.60
Non-federal Funds:
$6,633.92
Project Duration:
09/1994
-
03/1996
Status:
complete
Problem Statement
Urban and suburban construction activities have been identified as a significant
source of sediment entering the Huron system. Sedimentation has been reported
by Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) Fisheries Division to have
impacted fish species negatively in the Huron River and its tributaries.
Background
The Mud Busters program sought to strengthen enforcement of Michigan's Soil
Erosion and Sedimentation Control Act (Act 347, P.A. 1972) in the Huron River
watershed, and fostered a sense of shared responsibility among government,
land developers, and residents for the protection of surface waters in the
Huron basin. The project supplements current interagency efforts to reduce
nonpoint source pollution in a priority watershed identified by the MDNR.
The Huron River Valley is home to over 445,000 people; several
threatened and endangered species of fish, mussels, amphibians, and mammals;
and a number of bogs, wet meadows, and remnant prairies of statewide significance.
The Huron River provides a wealth of recreational opportunities to the residents
of southeast Michigan and is the only state-designated scenic river in southeast
Michigan. Much of the Huron River basin is coming under increasing development
pressure. The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) predicts that,
given existing development trends, 40% of the remaining open space in southeast
Michigan may be lost to urban and suburban development by the year 2010. Current
urban and suburban construction activities have been identified as a significant
source of sediment entering the Huron system.
This project: 1) supported the formation of a Soil Erosion Control
Agents' Network to foster information exchange between soil erosion control
officials; 2) developed a seminar to explain the ecological impacts of soil
erosion and sedimentation to developers and contractors; and 3) trained citizen
volunteers (“Mud Busters”) to recognize and report erosion control
problems.
Activities
Soil Erosion Control Agents' Network: The Huron River Watershed Council
has established a Soil Erosion Control Agents' Network. Members of the network
meet on a quarterly basis to discuss such issues as increasing compliance
with soil erosion control regulations and ordinances. Meeting attendees have
included twenty-two agents from both enforcement and non-enforcement agencies
(i.e., Natural Resources Conservation Service) from five counties: Ingham,
Livingston, Monroe, Oakland, and Washtenaw.
Developers'/Contractors' Seminar: A workshop on soil
erosion and sedimentation control for builders and contractors was held in
February 1996. Twenty local builders took part in discussions on local erosion
control regulations, site design, water quality concerns, and soil erosion
control products. Participants rated the workshop very highly, stating that
it clarified a number of concerns regarding permitting and soil erosion control
requirements.
Citizen Training: Nineteen volunteers —“Mud
Busters”—have been trained. Their monitoring efforts are currently
focused around the headwaters of the Huron River in Oakland, Livingston, and
Washtenaw counties. Training is designed to teach volunteers to identify the
signs of erosion and sedimentation, to assess quickly if off-site sedimentation
is occurring, and to report such sites to the proper agency. A standardized
reporting form, developed by the project coordinator with input provided by
local enforcement agents and MDNR personnel, was completed by volunteer teams
(227 volunteer hours) for each observed construction site exhibiting off-site
sedimentation. These forms were compiled by the project coordinator and sent
to the appropriate local soil erosion control agencies.
Results
In addition to the people reached through the Soil Erosion Control Agents' Network,
the Developers'/ Contractors' Seminar, and volunteers trained as Mud Busters,
the Huron River Watershed Council has undertaken a significant information and
education program.
Information/Education Activities: Information on the
Mud Busters program and the effects of erosion and sedimentation have been
distributed and made available to the public through various vehicles such
as the Huron River Watershed Council Newsletter (distribution of 2,300). Other
information and education mechanisms include:
- Huron River clean up in Milford (approximately 100 flyers)
- Huron River Day in Gallup Park, Ann Arbor (50 flyers distributed, and
demonstrations at the nonpoint source pollution booth which included a
table-top runoff model of erosion and sedimentation)
- Creek Fair, sponsored by the Huron River Watershed Council's Adopt-A-Stream
Program and the Washtenaw County Drain Commissioner
- Ann Arbor Flower & Garden Show (approximately 100 flyers)
- City of Ann Arbor Water Fair (table-top runoff demonstration; flyers)
- Article in the Huron River Watershed Council newsletter (circulation:
2,300)
- Articles in the Ecology Center of Ann Arbor newsletter (circulation:
2,000) and the Ann Arbor News
- Local television --Ann Arbor Cable Channel 9 broadcast of the video
of the demonstration done at Creek Fair
- Information notices through the Internet
Through these means several thousand people have been informed
of the Mud Busters volunteer training program and the problems associated
with erosion and sedimentation. Education efforts regarding the importance
of soil erosion and sedimentation control efforts will continue through the
Council's Adopt-A-Stream project, dissemination of the Council's quarterly
newsletter, and through Council's on-going work with individual municipalities
regarding land use and development practices
Contact: Paul Rentschler, Executive Director, (734) 769-5123
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