December 4, 2007

The Department of Environmental Quality and the Partnership for the Saginaw Bay Watershed will be hosting a presentation on the Phosphorus Policy Advisory Committee report on December 5, at 7 p.m. at the Bay City State Recreation Area Visitors Center.

Joe Rathbun of the DEQ's Water Bureau will be providing an overview of the Phosphorus Policy Advisory Committee process and the major recommendations for reducing phosphorus loadings to surface waters. The committee was established in 2006 with the charge to identify sources of phosphorus to Michigan's surface waters, review regulatory and voluntary management approaches, and develop findings and recommendations. Major recommendations for reducing phosphorus loadings to surface waters included focusing on nonpoint sources; maximizing use of agricultural best management practices; reducing phosphorus loadings from lawn fertilizers and dishwasher detergents; providing more support for lake associations; expanding water quality monitoring; and improving land use best management practices to reduce storm water runoff.

Mr. Rathbun's presentation provides the framework for next year's Saginaw Bay Coastal Initiative speaker's series on phosphorus control in Saginaw Bay, a priority issue identified through the SBCI.

Details of the Saginaw Bay Coastal Initiative and additional information are available online at http://www.michigan.gov/deq under "Issues to Watch."

Editor's note: DEQ news releases are available on the department's Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

"Protecting Michigan's Environment, Ensuring Michigan's Future"

Revised December 4, 2007 by Pat Watson