SAGINAW RIVER & BAY, MICHIGAN
(This section includes Stage of RAP development, Beneficial Use Impairments and
their delisting targets,
and information on whether the AOC has been accurately mapped.)
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Stage of RAP Development:
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1
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Are electronic maps available that include the AOC's geographic boundaries
and associated sources of pollution?
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No
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Beneficial Use Impairments (BUI):
(The BUI will appear underlined if a delisting target has
been determined.
If underlined,
click on the BUI
to display the delisting target.)
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Restriction on Fish & Wildlife Consumption
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* Levels of PCBs and dioxin in walleye taken from the Saginaw
River/Bay are equal to or less than the levels foundin comparable fish taken
from other areas of the Great Lakes not listed as AOCs.
* PCB and dioxin levels in fish tissue from caged-fish studies in
the Saginaw and Tittabawassee Rivers indicate thatthe former sources of these
contaminants have been effectively controlled and/or remediated.
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Tainting of fish or wildlife flavour (taste and odor concerns)
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Taste and Odor problems reported by anglers for any species taken from the
Tittabawassee River downstream from Midland and the Saginaw River/Bay
represents less than 1 in 10,000 of the estimated total annual catch for that
species for three consecutive years. In addtion, no specific sites of fish
tainting have been identified that would justify remedial action.
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Degradation of Fish and Wildlife Population
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* Walleye-Increase abundance in the bay, ultimately through natural
reproduction, such that growth rates approximate more closely statewide
averages for this species and reflect improved use of available forage in the
bay.
* Yellow Perch-A sustained annual harvest of 750,000 pounds per
year with increasing abundance of larger, faster-growing individuals.
* Lake Sturgeon-Documented evidence of natural reproduction in the
Saginaw River.
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Bird or Animal Deformities or Reproductive Problems
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* Bald eagles- The reproductive success of bald eagles in the
Saginaw Bay area is equivalent to that found in other Lake Huron coastal areas
in Michigan.
* Herring Gull-PCB levels in herring gull eggs taken from Saginaw
Bay area nest sites are not significantly higher than those found in other Lake
Huron sampling locations.
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Degradation of Benthos
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Sample of mayfly nymphs collected in the open waters of Saginaw Bay exceed
30/m
2
for two consecutive years, based upon established sampling methods.
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Restrictions on Dredging Activities
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The level of contaminants in Saginaw River/Bay sediments no longer imposes
additional costs due to requirements for the removal, confinement, and
remediation of dregde spoils.
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Eutrophication or Undesirable Algae
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The average concentration of total phosphorus for three consecutive years is
15ug/L or less, in accordance witht the supplement to Annex 3 of 1978 Great
Lakes Water Quality Agreement.
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Restriction on drinking water (taste, odor, or other problems)
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The N:P ratio measured in Saginaw Bay is at least 29:1 for three successive
years, indicating that conditions once favoring blue-green algal populations
responsible for former taste and odor problems in drinking water withdrawn from
the bay are no longer present.
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Beach Closings
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* Three consecutive years of testing for E. coli bacteria, an
indicator of the presence of harmful microorganisms, confirm that state water
quality standards for full-bogy recreation are being met in Saginaw River.
* No More than three swimming beaches are closed per yearand
closures last no more than two days each in Saginaw Bay.
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Degradation of Aesthetics
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(see Eutrophication or Undesirable Algae)
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Degradation of Phytoplankton & Zooplankton Populations
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(see Restrictions on Drinking water)
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Loss of Fish and Wildlife Habitat
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* Dissolved oxygen levels in the river meet or exceed the minimum
state water quality standard of 5.0mg/L during the critical summer months.
* Critical coastal marsh areas are adequately protected-At least
60% of the coastal marsh areas (below the 585-foot contour) and adequate upland
buffers representing essential fish and wildlife habitat is preserved through
public ownership, covered under conservation easements, or otherwise protected
under agreements with landowners.
* The most vulnerable portions of the remaining 40% of the
essential coastal marsh areas have been clearlyidentified so that governmental
agencies, local conservation/environmental organizations, and concerned
citizens can monitor their status, enforce existing laws, and conduct public
educational programs to better protect these areas.
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CONTAMINATED SEDIMENT
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Estimated remaining volume of contaminated sediment within the AOC:
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no information
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Remediation to Date
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Project Name:
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Amount Remediated:
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Remediation Cost:
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345,000 cu. yds.
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$5,000,000
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Cast Forge - South Branch of Shiawassee River
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1,805 cu. yds.
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no information
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Planned Action Regarding Sediment Remediation
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Project Name:
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Amt. to be Remediated:
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Estimated Cost:
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$10,600,000 is available for dredging
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Pine River - Velsicol Chemical
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250,000 cu. yds.
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$20M - $30M
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WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE
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Improvements to Wastewater Infrastructure - Dollars Spent:
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State Revolving Funds - Unspecified % of $ allocated for wastewater
infrastructure
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$199,500,000
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Identified Future Costs for Wastewater Infra. - Dollars Needed:
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no information
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no information
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HABITAT
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Projects / Proposals / Costs:
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1600 acres on Big & Little Charity Island was acquired for public ownership
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Coastal wetland (200 acres) & lake plain prairie (400 acres) restoration
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Ducks Unlimited received $2,770,000 to conserve & restore wetlands
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1,700 acres of coastal wetland protected and over 200 acres restored
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Restoration of flow between Saginaw River and Tobico Marsh
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$3,000,000 to Trustee Council to monitor & implement projects
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OTHER SIGNIFICANT ISSUES
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Issues, including National Priority List (NPL) sites:
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$28,000,000 settlement from GM for the restoration & protection of Saginaw
River; $17,000,000
for land acquisition
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$177,000,000 Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program available to farmers to
help
reduce agricultural impacts
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MANAGEMENT
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Federal:
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Jamie Schardt
USEPA-GLNPO
77 West Jackson Blvd.
(G-17J)
Chicago, IL 60604-3507
(312) 353-5085
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State:
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Arthur Ostaszewski
Michigan DEQ
P.O. Box 30273
Lansing, MI 48909
(517) 335-1119
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Local / PAC:
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Dennis Zimmerman
716 East Forest Blvd.
P.O. Box 325
Lake George, MI 48633
(989) 588-9343
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Please Note:
Values provided are intended as indicators only, and may not
capture all expenditures or work done. Summary is based on best available
Information. "No Information" indicates relevant information was not
available at time of publication.
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