Michigan River Alliance

             Creating a Unified Voice for Michigan's Rivers

MRA works in partnership with all appropriate groups, including governmental and non-governmental entities, to address the following issues.  These issues were identified in a 2004 survey as high priorities by Michigan river and watershed organizations.

Land Use

MRA supports sound land use policy that protects water quality, encourages sustainable communities, and enhances quality of life.  Development pressures, poorly planned growth, and habitat fragmentation threaten Michigan’s river and rural landscapes.   

River Monitoring

MRA believes that Michigan needs a strong, coordinated, and consistent river monitoring program to track and respond to changes in aquatic systems over time.  The statewide program should consist of regular agency monitoring supported by volunteer efforts, with data made accessible and useable to river groups and the general public.   

Dam Removal

MRA supports the removal of public and private earthen and hydroelectric dams on a case-by-case basis with the goals of enhancing fish and wildlife habitat, restoring hydrologic function, improving water quality, ensuring river safety, and increasing opportunities for recreation and tourism.  Successful dam removal reduces the cost of repairs, maintenance, and the risk of catastrophic dam failure.   

Stormwater Runoff

MRA supports the implementation of state-of-the-art Best Management Practices to manage stormwater runoff, thereby reducing damage to aquatic resources from stormwater volume and the sediment, pathogens, nutrients, oils and grease, heavy metals, and trash that it carries.  Stormwater runoff is a major source of non-point source pollution and has a well-documented, negative impact on the state’s water resources.  Communities, regardless of their population, have a responsibility to see that untreated stormwater is not directly discharged into our rivers, lakes, and wetlands. 

Non-Point Source Pollution  

MRA supports the protection of all Michigan rivers from the introduction and impacts of non-point source pollution, including, but not limited to, agricultural, forestry, mining, transportation, construction, and residential sources.

 Water Withdrawals

The Great Lakes Charter of 1985, signed by the State of Michigan and the other Great Lakes states and provinces, required enacting laws to govern large-scale water diversions.  Michigan has failed to fulfill this obligation. MRA supports the three key principles set forth in the 2001 Annex to the Great Lakes Charter: prevention of harm to the Great Lakes resource, conservation of the resource, and enhancement of the resource. MRA urges the Legislature to enact a comprehensive water withdrawal law that incorporates the above three principles for riverine/watershed-based protection, provided that the law also grants the State the ability to deny permits that threaten the public’s interest or the environment. 

Natural Rivers

MRA supports the Natural Rivers program by working to support and advance the following aspects of the program:

1. Improve the administration and enforcement of existing program designations by the MDNR and local units of government;
2. Protect existing legislation from any attempts to weaken or eliminate the program; and
3. Broaden state-wide program designations to increase the protection of high quality riverine systems.

Implementation of Watershed Plans

MRA supports the development and implementation of watershed management plans, Remedial Action Plans, and related efforts that set a course for protecting and restoring all of Michigan’s rivers. The successful implementation of watershed plans requires collaborative efforts that engage all public and private stakeholders, creative and cost-effective solutions employing the best available techniques and technology, and realistic milestones for measuring progress. 

High Quality Waters

MRA believes that high-quality, groundwater-fed rivers are extremely susceptible to impacts from nonpoint source pollution and merit an increased level of resource protection.  In order to preserve these coldwater streams before they become degraded, it is imperative that:

1)      the state implement and publicize an effective anti-degradation policy,

2)      increased levels of funding are directed to these streams for resource protection and enhancement,

3)      context-sensitive design is used by communities, private developments and transportation agencies when planning projects near high-quality rivers, and

4)      a high-quality waters task force is established to ensure the designated use of coldwater fishery does not become threatened or impaired in these areas.