Library

Statewide Public Advisory Council for Michigan’s Areas of Concern Program

Oct 2015 | Archived Projects, Library, Water Quality

This page archives select pre-2016 materials for the Statewide Public Advisory Council for Michigan’s Areas of Concern Program. 

The Statewide Public Advisory Council (SPAC) was formed in 1991 to facilitate public participation in decisions affecting Michigan’s statewide Areas of Concern (AOC) program, heighten public awareness of and participation in the Remedial Action Plans (RAPs) being developed in the AOCs, and generate public support for implementation of restoration and protection measures in the AOCs.

The Council includes representation from local Public Advisory Councils (PACs) for each of Michigan’s AOCs. The Council coordinates support for and communication among local PACs in the AOCs, provides training and technical assistance to RAP participants, and advises state and federal agencies and elected officials on priorities for the statewide AOC program. The Council is supported by the Great Lakes Commission with funding from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The SPAC is a coalition of representatives from the community-based public advisory councils that are guiding cleanup efforts in Michigan’s AOCs. 

2010-2015 Meetings

The SPAC typically meets three times per year and sponsors an annual briefing for state legislators and training workshops on issues affecting the RAPs. Below is information on past SPAC meetings from 2010-2015.

Summer Business Meeting & Legislative Outreach – June 3-4, 2015 – Lansing, Michigan

Spring Business Meeting – May 4-5, 2015 – Port Huron, Michigan

Fall Business Meeting – October 30-31, 2014 – White Lake AOC

Summer Business Meeting – July 16, 2014 – Ishpeming, Michigan

Winter Business Meeting – March 19, 2014 – Chicago, Illinois

Fall Business Meeting – November 14-15, 2013 – Detroit, Michigan

Summer Business Meeting – July 10, 2013 – Muskegon, Michigan

Spring Business Meeting & Legislative Outreach – April 30-May 1, 2013 – Lansing, Michigan

Fall Business Meeting – October 26, 2012 -Kalamazoo, Michigan

Spring Business Meeting – May 30, 2012 – Roscommon, Michigan

Fall Business Meeting – November 9-10, 2011 – Monroe, Michigan

Spring Business Meeting & Legislative Outreach – June 14-15, 2011 – Lansing, Michigan

Fall Business Meeting – October 28, 2010 – Lansing, Michigan

Spring Business Meeting – June 8-9, 2010 – Port Huron, Michigan

Winter Business Meeting & Legislative Outreach – March 23-24, 2010 – Lansing, Michigan

2009-2013 Workshops

Creating Vibrant Coastal Communities: Techniques, Tools and Resources to Advance Placemaking in Waterfront Areas
July 2013 – Muskegon, Michigan

The workshop introduced placemaking as a strategy to fuel economic growth and community revitalization. It showcased resources and provided training on how to develop and implement placemaking strategies. The workshop focused on placemaking opportunities in coastal communities and illustrated examples of how local leaders are leveraging Michigan’s bountiful water resources to advance economic growth and build a higher quality of life in their communities.

Remediation to Restoration to Revitalization: Building Environmental and Economic Prosperity in Michigan’s Great Lakes Areas of Concern
October 2012 – Kalamazoo, Michigan

The workshop brought together leaders from Michigan’s 14 Great Lakes Areas of Concern (AOCs) to discuss opportunities and showcase resources and techniques that can help AOC communities leverage remediation and restoration efforts to accelerate environmental and economic revitalization. This includes sustaining environmental stewardship; integrating watershed restoration with sustainable economic growth; and developing a long-term vision that celebrates freshwater resources and coastal amenities as key ingredients for building a high quality of life for coastal communities.

Advancing Restoration of Michigan’s Great Lakes Areas of Concern: Opportunities in Year Three of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative
February 2012 – Lansing, Michigan

This workshop convened leaders from Michigan’s 14 Great Lakes Areas of Concern (AOC) to review restoration priorities and coordinate efforts to address them over the coming year with resources available under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI). Representatives from federal agencies discussed the status of the GLRI, progress toward meeting its goals, and resources available for AOC restoration projects. Staff from Michigan’s Office of the Great Lakes reviewed current plans for the state’s AOC program, including the vision for completing restoration and moving to a new era of stewardship.

Restoring Michigan’s Great Lakes: Opportunities in Year Two of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative
January 2011 – Lansing, Michigan

Over 200 people attended this workshop to prepare for year two of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI). The program identified restoration priorities for Michigan’s 14 Great Lakes Areas of Concern; reviewed upcoming funding opportunities under the GLRI; and helped advance partnerships and other arrangements to prepare restoration projects for Michigan’s Areas of Concern. Staff from federal agencies were there to discuss upcoming funding opportunities under the GLRI. The workshop also reviewed the status of the Great Lakes Legacy Act and options for generating non-federal cost share for contaminated sediment cleanup projects. A networking period followed formal presentations and provided an opportunity for participants to meet with Area of Concern leaders, agency staff, consultants and other partners to discuss project ideas and consider the best approach for developing funding proposals.

Building Capacity and Partnerships to Restore Michigan’s Great Lakes Areas of Concern Under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative
August 2009 – East Lansing, Michigan

In his FY2010 budget, President Obama proposed $475 million for a Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, with a substantial portion dedicated to cleaning up the Great Lakes Areas of Concern. The purpose of the workshop was to identify restoration priorities in Michigan’s 14 Areas of Concern and develop partnerships and other arrangements to prepare proposals and seek funding for key restoration projects. At the workshop, staff from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality reviewed restoration needs in Michigan’s Areas of Concern. Representatives from U.S. EPA and other federal agencies discussed funding opportunities under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Local leaders from Michigan’s Areas of Concern were also present to discuss restoration needs, network with project partners and consider next steps for preparing funding proposals.

MICH-RAP Email List

MICH-RAP is an email group for the RAP and LaMP community in Michigan. It is a forum for sharing news and information related to the Areas of Concern and Lakewide Management programs in the state of Michigan. Appropriate postings concern meeting announcements; new publications; funding opportunities; updates on relevant legislative activities; information requests; requests for suggestions and guidance regarding LaMP and RAP efforts; and media coverage related to the RAPs and LaMPs.

For information on how to subscribe, send messages and other list guidelines, visit the Great Lakes Email Groups page.