The US Environmental Protection Agency has been highly invested in the recuperation and recovery of the Detroit River as a vital resource to the community. In 1997 the Detroit River was designated an American Heritage River to attain three objectives: natural resource and environmental protection, economic revitalization, and historic and cultural preservation. Since that time approximately $28 million has been invested in its revitalization. Rose Ellison of the EPA will be participating in four workshops to better understand the causes, consequences and correctives of fish contamination on the Detroit River, with an aim in strengthening institutional communication channels across stakeholders. Link to more information on the Detroit River AHR: http://www.epa.gov/rivers/98rivers/detroit.html

Back to Top

Since 1982, Great Lakes Natural Resource Center of the National Wildlife Federation has been a regional leader in protecting the Great Lakes for the wildlife and humans that depend on this invaluable resource. The NWF is active both in issues surrounding the Great Lakes including the Detroit Metro Area, but also the issue of fish contamination and the risks associated with its consumption. The Great Lakes Natural Resource Center can be accessed at: http://online.nwf.org/site/PageServer?pagename=gl_waterresources/

Back to Top

MDEQ, created in 1995, works to protect the waterways by monitoring the activity related to contamination regulation and mitigation. The MDEQ water programs establish water quality standards; assess water quality; provide regulatory oversight for all public water supplies; issue permits to regulate the discharge of industrial and municipal wastewaters; and monitor state water resources for water quality, the quantity and quality of aquatic habitat, the health of aquatic communities, and compliance with state laws. More information on the MDEQ can be found at their website: http://www.michigan.gov/deq/

Back to Top

Friends of the Detroit River envisions an ever improving quality of life for people, plants and animals in southeast Michigan and southwest Ontario through development of a balance of grass roots advocacy and staffed programs forming an environmental group that watches and protects the Detroit River including creation of a highly visible resource center focusing on Detroit River issues, programs, research, policies and partnerships. For more information see: http://www.detroitriver.org/

Back to Top

The Mission of the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department is to exceed our customers' expectations through the innovative treatment and transmission of water and wastewater, and the provision of services that promote healthy communities and economic growth. DWSD's wastewater treatment facility has a primary treatment capacity of 1.6 billion gallons per day and a secondary treatment capacity of 859 million gallons per day. DWSD has also developed a long-term plan that will improve water quality in the Rouge and Detroit Rivers by controlling Combined Sewer Overflows. Currently, the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department pumps an average of 675 million gallons per day to more than four million people in 126 communities within its service area. For more information on the DWSD, see: http://www.dwsd.org/index.html

Back to Top

MDCH is responsible for distributing information concerning the safe guard against fish contamination and the harmful effects associated with over-consumption. This is done through the Fish Contaminant Monitoring Program. The Fish Contaminant Monitoring Program is part of MDEQ's comprehensive water quality monitoring strategy. Edible portion fish contaminant data are used by the MDCH to develop the Michigan Fish Advisory. Fish advisories detail which species can be eaten at what size, and how often, including best methods for preparation. The Guide to fish consumption can be found on the website of the MDCH. Link to MI Fish Contaminant Monitoring Program Database: http://www.deq.state.mi.us/fcmp/ For a copy of the Michigan Family Guide to Fish Consumption, see: http://www.michigan.gov/mdch/..

Back to Top

The US Fish and Wildlife Service have been instrumental in helping to protect the Detroit River. Their major accomplishments include the establishment of The Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, the only International Wildlife Refuge in North America. The refuge includes islands, coastal wetlands, marshes, shoals, and waterfront lands along 48 miles of Detroit River and Western Lake Erie shoreline. John Hartig, a supporter of the project, is working hard to reduce levels of toxic substances to a threshold that does not threaten or harm, or adversely affect wildlife, fish, or human health through the Comprehensive Conservation Plan. Link to more information of the Detroit International Wildlife Refuge: http://www.fws.gov/midwest/detroitriver/

Back to Top

The MDNR is charged with regulating anglers activities across the state of Michigan. It also provides important communication channels for anglers through fish kill reporting, aquatic invasive specie information, and angler protection from harassment. This year the MDNR opened the first state park on the Detroit River. Tri-Centennial State Park and Harbor offers several covered picnic areas, shoreline fishing and a newly renovated 52-slip harbor of refuge. MDNR Fisheries Division is integral to the Michigan Fish Monitoring Program analyzing ecosystem status and synthesizing trends of biological activity. More information can be accessed from the MDNR Website: http://www.michigan.gov/dnr

Back to Top

The Conservancy's purposes includes developing a vision and long-term plan for the development of parks, promenades and other green spaces along the Detroit Riverfront designed to enhance access and connections to the riverfront and respect ecological and conservation standards which includes programming activities designed to foster broad-based community participation in activities and events that contribute toward achievement of the vision. The DRC has been active in this year's opening continued development of the Detroit Riverwalk. For more information see: http://www.detroitriverfront.org/

Back to Top

Michigan Sea Grant is a joint program of University of Michigan and Michigan State University. It is part of the National Sea Grant College Program, a network of 30 university-based programs in coastal states across the country. Michigan Sea Grant currently funds research projects and educational activities related to the program's strategic plan. Federal funds are matched with funds from state, tribal, business, and other sources to carry out scientific and educational programs. For more information on SeaGrant's programs see: http://www.miseagrant.umich.edu/

Back to Top

The mission of the Recreation Department is to provide efficient and cost-effective world class urban forests, parks, recreation and leisure facilities, and services that enhance the physical, emotional and social environment of the Detroit community. Charged with maintaining facilities and resource access at multiple parks throughout the city, fish consumption and angler health is a main concern of the Detroit Department of Recreation. We invite the DDR to participate to the stakeholder process to better inform recreation officials about potential risks. For more information on Detroit Department of Recreation, see: http://www.ci.detroit.mi.us/recreation/default.htm/

Back to Top

The Mission of the Department of Environmental Affairs is to manage and coordinate the environmental affairs of the City of Detroit through the development and implementation of a coordinated and comprehensive environmental policy. This environmental policy shall provide for the protection of and enhancement of the quality of life for the citizens of Detroit; provide the skills and resources needed to maintain the City in compliance with applicable laws and regulations; and provide for the most effective and sustainable use of natural resources (land, water and air) available to the City. http://www.ci.detroit.mi.us/environaffairs/default.htm

Back to Top

Established in 1994, Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice (DWEJ) was formed for the express purpose pf addressing the disproportional burden faced by people of color and low income residents in environmentally distressed communities. As fish consumption may be seen as an environmental justice issue, DWEJ's contribution is essential in addressing racial equality on the Detroit River. DWEJ information on current campaigns can be accessed at: http://www.dwej.org/index.htm

Back to Top

The Nature Conservancy in Michigan is committed to working with partners who share common conservation vision and values. The Nature Conservancy believes in collective responsibility to achieve the protection of our natural legacy. This conservation vision cannot be achieved alone-partners, communities, community leaders and other organizations will be essential. The Nature Conservancy has enrolled the 2,217 acre Erie Marsh Preserve into the Detroit River Wildlife Refuge thereby doubling the Refuge in size, contributing to the health of the Detroit River Ecosystem. To access more information about The Nature Conservancy's work in Michigan see: http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/michigan/

Back to Top

The USGS has been conducting research to monitor Detroit River water quality including projects like Urban Dynamics: Detroit River Corridor monitoring the causes and consequences of urbanization and shoreline alteration in the Detroit Metro Area. More recently USGS, in partnership with MDEQ, has embarked on a project monitoring water quality through Source Water Assessment of the St. Clair - Detroit River Waterway to identify possible source contamination and construct a comprehensive list of those sources impacting water quality. More information on this project can be found at: http://mi.water.usgs.gov/splan2/sp08903/swapdet.php

Back to Top

Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision is a coalition of residents, community organizations, agencies, business and industry working together to improve the environment and strengthen the economy of Southwest Detroit. SDEV began in 1991 as a two-year project sponsored by East Michigan Environmental Council and Southwest Detroit Business Association. Its purpose was to initiate a dialogue between southwest Detroit's business/industrial interests and community residents. The result was a community plan which focused upon four major topics: abandoned buildings and illegal dumping, air quality, contaminated sites and land use. For more information see: http://www.sdevonline.org/index.htm

Back to Top

Team Detroit is a full-spectrum engineer force of high quality, dedicated soldiers and civilians that offer construction solutions for national security, environmental sustainability and economic vitality, water-resource management and emergency assistance throughout the Great Lakes Region. Army Corps of Engineers surveys the Detroit River for navigational purposes, measuring depth and width of the river. Extensive maps can be found on their website. More recently USACE has provided information that would contribute to the Detroit Greenway Corridor Project, a shoreline protection project from Belle Isle to the Ambassador Bridge, to protect the economic and ecosystems of the area. More information on the USACE involvement with the Detroit River can be found at: http://www.lre.usace.army.mil/

Back to Top

Created by Executive Order 2005-13 and funded in partnership with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the Michigan Food Policy Council (MFPC) brings diverse food-related stakeholders together to recommend programs and policies to the Governor that improve Michigan's food future. The MFPC gives food-related stakeholders the forum to identify policies that harness the potential of the food system to aid in communities' economic development, provide children and those in need greater access to fresh and nutritious foods, and support stewardship of our finite land and water resources. More information on the MFPC can be found at: http://www.michigan.gov/mfpc

Back to Top

The DRCCC is a community-based partnership of industry, businesses, government, academics, environmental and community organizations that work collectively in helping to improve the health of the Detroit River. In meeting with the spirit of Canada-U.S. Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, the purpose of the committee is to cleanup, enhance, and sustain the ecosystem of the Detroit River and its tributary watersheds. http://www.detroitriver.ca/

Back to Top

The Essex Region Conservation Authority was established in 1973 to manage the natural resources of the Essex Region in partnership with our member municipalities and the Province of Ontario. Protecting and improving water quality and quantity is ERCA's number one strategic priority. Currently, regional surface water - the water in our rivers, creeks and streams - is rated poor to very poor. ERCA implements hundreds of projects and programs each year aimed at improving surface water quality. Heavily invested in water quality and the Detroit River, a community based application team was formed by the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) in the spring of 1997 to seek Canadian Heritage River status for the Detroit River. For more information on how to get involved with the ERCA, see: http://www.erca.org/

Back to Top

Health Canada is the Federal department responsible for helping Canadians maintain and improve their health, while respecting individual choices and circumstances. Health Canada's Food Directorate is responsible for the assessment of risk to human health from exposure to food-borne chemical contaminants, this includes the Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) for fish consumption. When an unacceptable risk is identified, appropriate “risk management” measures must be taken to reduce or eliminate the risk of adverse health effects from exposure to the chemical. A list of acceptable daily intake of contaminants is available on the Health Canada Website: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/securit/chem-chim/contaminants-guidelines-directives_e.html

Back to Top

The Ministry of the Environment has been responsible for protecting clean and safe air, land and water to ensure healthy communities, ecological protection and sustainable development for present and future generations of Ontarians for over 30 years. The Ontario MOE is responsible for the collection of fish sample for province-wide testing. MOE is also responsible for the publication of the Guide to Eating Ontario Sport Fish in partnership with the Ministry of Natural Resources. The Sport Fish Contaminant Monitoring Program, which started in 1976, is the largest testing and advisory program of its kind in North America. The guide can be accessed from their website in 19 different languages: http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/envision/guide/index.htm

Back to Top

Fisheries and Oceans Canada is the lead federal government department responsible for developing and implementing policies and programs in support of Canada's economic, ecological and scientific interests in oceans and inland waters. The Great Lakes Laboratory for Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences (GLLFAS), a freshwater fisheries research division of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), is located in Burlington, Ontario. For more than 20 years, DFO's Great Lakes Contaminants Surveillance Program has provided annual updates on contaminant trends in fish communities throughout the Great Lakes. More information concerning Great Lakes research can be found through the DFO Artic Region website: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/regions/central/us-nous/index_e.htm

Back to Top

The City of Windsor has developed and approved its first draft Environmental Master Plan. The Environmental Master Plan will assist the City of Windsor in identifying issues and developing decisions related to the environment. Windsor has decided to lead by example. One component is the three-phased Riverfront Pollution Control Planning Study investigated direct municipal discharges to the Detroit River along the riverfront area in the City of Windsor north of Riverside Drive, and to develop a pollution control strategy for the Windsor Riverfront District. Also, the City is spending $110 million on the water treatment plant upgrade to secondary treatment using cutting-edge technology such as Biological Activated Filter (BAF) process and Ultraviolet Disinfection as part of the Lou Romano Water Reclamation Plant Upgrade & Expansion Project. For more information concerning the City's Master Plan see: http://www.citywindsor.ca/001767.asp

Back to Top

Environment Canada's mandate is to preserve and enhance the quality of the natural environment; conserve Canada's renewable resources; conserve and protect Canada's water resources; forecast weather and environmental change; enforce rules relating to boundary waters; and coordinate environmental policies and programs for the federal government.The National Guidelines and Standards Office (NGSO) is part of Environment Canada which provides nationally approved, science-based measures of environmental quality including guidelines, standards, and objectives with the primary focus to develop national guidelines for water, sediment, and soil quality and aquatic tissue residues. Environmental Quality Guidelines can be found at: http://www.ec.gc.ca/CEQG-RCQE/English/default.cfm Information specifically on mercury can be found at: http://www.ec.gc.ca/MERCURY/EN/fc.cfm

Back to Top

The Detroit River was designated a Canadian Heritage River in 2001. Since then actions to protect the river have taken shape to promote historical tourism, and cultural pride. http://www.chrs.ca/Rivers/Detroit/Detroit_e.htm

Back to Top

The ministry is committed to protecting and managing the province's natural resources, or its “natural capital”, and making the interest from that capital available for individuals, communities and economies that depend on it. In doing so, the Ministry contributes to the environmental, social and economic well-being of the people of Ontario, meeting not only today's needs, but also ensuring these resources are available for future generations. Curently, Ontario is developing a new ecological framework for recreational fisheries management focusing on new ecological Fisheries Management Zones, managing and monitoring at the broader landscape level, and enhanced stewardship. Information on fishing in Ontario can be accessed through the MNR website: http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/MNR/fishing/index.html

Back to Top

The Citizens Environment Alliance (CEA) is a non-profit, grass-roots, binational, education and research organization. We are committed to an ecosystem approach to environmental planning and management. The CEA was formed in 1985 by citizens concerned about spills from the (Sarnia) Chemical Valley into the St. Clair River (the Toxic blob), and how those spills affected the region's drinking water. Later, the CEA began to focus on the questions of toxins in the Great Lakes, as well as air quality throughout the transboundary area. The Citizens Environment Alliance will strive to protect, restore and enhance the quality of the local environment in the Detroit-St. Clair River corridors, the western basin of Lake Erie and in the Windsor-Essex-Kent Region of the Great Lakes Basin. For more information about CEA's campaigns see: http://www.citizensenvironmentalliance.org/

Back to Top

Canada's Waterkeepers are grassroots defenders of your local waterways. Waterkeepers are individuals, committed to maintaining a constant presence on our rivers, lakes, and oceans working for clean water and protect rights to a healthy watershed and a strong community. Waterkeeper Alliance connects and supports local Waterkeeper programs to provide a voice for waterways and their communities worldwide. http://www.waterkeepers.ca/

Back to Top