celery pond

Continuing the subject of yesterday’s posting, the blog finishes excerpts from the news from the US Environmental Protection Agency published in 2005 on the current pressures that are impacting Lake Michigan.

One of the most critical issues for the Great Lakes is a category called “Habitat Alteration.” The facts are serious: “The increase in development around Lake Michigan threatens to alter remaining aquatic and terrestrial natural habitats. These changes will have an impact on the plant and animal species that depend on these habitats. The largest collection of freshwater sand dunes and beaches in the world are threatened by residential development and mining.”

“Over the last two centuries, more than 60 percent of Lake Michigan coastal and inland wetlands have been destroyed. Today, the pace of shoreline modification and urban, industrial and agricultural development is increasing, threatening the remaining 5.2 million hectares of wetlands…impervious surfaces such as roads and rooftops contribute to the degradation of lakes and streams by increasing water temperature and runoff volume, altering watershed hydrology, raising ambient air temperatures and reducing open space.”

What are the actions that the EPA is taking? Lots.

• Wonderful data and planning tools are available to assist local planners to make environmentally correct decisions with info from the Lake Michigan Watershed Academy.
• So far 10 Lake Michigan Areas of Concern have been so designated to undergo restoration of habitat, hoping that this will restore and encourage public interaction with the Lake Michigan ecosystem.
• Rare species that include the piping plover, Kirtland’s warbler and Hine’s emerald dragonfly are in recovery plans within the Lake Michigan basin.
  
• Dam removals on the Milwaukee River increased habitats (not for people but) for insects and diverse fish population. And, miracle of miracles, a pair of bald eagles was seen on Indiana’s Lake Michigan shoreline for the first time in over 100 years.

There are more “Actions Needed” as the report itemized. Most important in this list was the EPA hope, for the “Protection and restoration of natural areas, migratory bird flyways and unique biological and geological features, especially wetlands, and GIS training for local officials who make land use decisions,”

Celery Pond, there’s hope for you in the New Year! As the Celery Pond Advocates establish their 501 (c)(3) status, we’ll be ready to move ahead to protect South Haven’s unique wetland on the Black River and near the City’s downtown. What a jewel we have to preserve and launch into the future to educate ourselves and the children to follow.