This is a satellite picture of the sediment plume created by the Saginaw River as it enters the Saginaw Bay and then flows into Lake Huron. (Photo courtesy Clean Water Campaign)

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WATER UPDATE: Saginaw Bay, Shoreline Groups Meet Friday on Levels, Dioxin

February 16, 2013
By: Dave Rogers

Water levels, pollution, vision for the Great Lakes and Saginaw Bay -- all are upcoming topics for discussion.

The Saginaw Bay Coordinating Council will host an update meeting Friday 1-4 p.m. in Space Explorers Hall in the Delta College Planetarium, 100 Center Ave., Bay City.

Sponsored by the Saginaw Bay Watershed Initiative Network (WIN) and the Saginaw Bay Coastal Initiative (SBCI), the meeting will be facilitated by Michael Kelly of WIN and Laura Ogar, Bay County, SBCI.

Jon Allan, director, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality Office of the Great Lakes, will speak on "Michigan's Vision for the Great Lakes and Saginaw Bay."

Agency updates will include:

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Update on Tittabawassee Dioxin/Furan issue with Diane Russell, remedial project manager;

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service update on Tittabawassee natural resource damage assessment with Joe Haas, NRDA specialist;

Michigan DEQ status of beneficial use impairments/area of concern, Bretton Joldersma, AOC coordinator, Saginaw River/Bay and St. Marys River.

Updates will also be given by organizations working on Saginaw Bay issues.

Roger Gauthier, retired Army Corps of Engineers official will present an informational discussion on actions needed to address the low water levels in the Lake Huron-Michigan basin.

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