IMPACT OF WATER

QUALITY

• Ecological health? – Yes

• Social Benefits? – Yes

• Economic Impact ? – Let’s look

Abundance of Water in SW

Michigan

We have an abundant supply of clean water, a resource vital to our high quality of life. Rivers, lakes, groundwater aquifers, and coastal estuaries are crucial to public health, economic development, and recreational opportunities. However, our water sources are constantly threatened with degradation by such activities as imprudent development, improperly managed agricultural and industrial activities, and unsound watershed management practices.

Soils Exert Pressure on Water

Quality & BMP’s are Required

The soil exerts an important influence on water quality. How we manage the soil and what we put on it determine, in part, the level of water-shed management required to make our water supplies safe and enjoyable.

Erosion and Sedimentation

Sediment comes from many sources:

• Woodlands that lack ground cover

• Road banks

• Construction sites

• Agricultural fields due to lack of buffer

strips, field tiles, bare tilled fields, etc.

• Mining operations

Sediment is a pollutant

Sediment is a water

pollutant transported by

storm water runoff. Storm

water runoff is the major

cause of impaired water

quality in our streams,

rivers, and lakes.

Sediment harms fish and

other aquatic life and can

interfere with the

recreational use of any

water body.

By volume,

sediment is the

largest water

pollutant in

Michigan

Damage – Now and in Future

Damage from sediment is expensive, both economically and environmentally

Damage Now

Sedimentation destroys

fish spawning beds

Damage Now

Sediment reduces useful

storage volume in marshes,

estuaries, and floodplains.

Damage Now

Clogs

streams

and

ponds

Damage Now

Suspended

sediment can

reduce aquatic

plant life

Damage Now

And sediment

can alter a

stream's

ecology

Damage for Years to Come

Because the environmental

damage from sediment is often

additive, the ultimate effects

and costs may not be evident

for years.

Damage for Years to Come

Silt - very small

sediment particles

– remain

suspended in

water until the

velocity slows way

down before they

settle out.

Damage for Years to Come

These very fine particles

develop an electrical charge

while suspended in water and

attract contaminants like

Arsenic which then adhere to

the sediment particles.

Damage that is Expensive to

Correct

• Makes costly filtration

necessary for municipal water

supplies

• Requires dredging of harbors

• Requires sediment removal

from drains and ponds

Damage that is Expensive to

Correct

Sediment that attracted Arsenic or

other contaminants is much more

costly to remove and store properly

Damage that is Expensive to

Correct

• All very costly operations

• All more expensive than

implementing and practicing

watershed BMP’s

Ecological Damage

Sediment often carries organic matter, animal or industrial wastes, nutrients, and chemicals.

Phosphorus

The most

troublesome

nutrient

element is

phosphorus.

Phosphorus

Phosphorus can stimulate the production of algae blooms. As the algae die, organisms in the aquatic system decompose the algae to use as a food source. In the process, they also use significant amounts of oxygen. If the oxygen level is initially low, the decomposition process can further reduce it to a point that "fish kills" can occur. Phosphorus may come from such sources as fertilizers, organic matter, and animal manure.

Phosphorus Control

Fertilizing Tips • Read and follow the manufacturer's instructions for fertilizing.

• Never apply fertilizer to frozen ground.

• Never leave spilled fertilizers on impervious surfaces, such as concrete or black top.

• Watch the weather. Never apply fertilizer before a heavy rain.

• Apply fertilizer to dry grass, but water thoroughly after application.

• Mow lawn to a normal height one to two days before applying fertilizer.

• Apply fertilizer at a rate of 4 pounds per 1,000 square feet. Spread fertilizer evenly over lawn.

• Check the bag for correct setting for your spreader.

• Fill your spreader on a hard surface and sweep up all spills. NEVER wash fertilizer spills into the street where it will be carried to lakes, rivers, creeks, and ponds through the storm water system.

• Close the gate on the spreader when crossing hard surfaces, such as driveways and sidewalks.

• Avoid using any fertilizers in natural drainage areas or pathways where it can be carried into surface water.

• Leave a natural buffer of natural vegetation near shorelines to hinder fertilizers entering the water, prevent erosion, and retain nutrients.

Phosphorus Control

TOP 9 REASONS TO USE PHOSPHORUS FREE FERTILIZERS

• One pound of phosphorus can grow 500 pounds of algae in wetlands.

• Algae in lakes and wetlands blocks sunlight from beneficial plants.

• The storm sewer system sends run-off from your yard directly into lakes and rivers.

• Up to one-third of the phosphorus in urban run-off comes from lawns.

• Ninety-seven percent of lawns don't need any additional phosphorus.

• Phosphorus is not necessary in detergent to get clothes clean or in fertilizer for healthy lawns.

• SW Michigan has many wetland areas that are susceptible to phosphorus overloading.

• An ounce of prevention is cheaper than a pound of cure.

• Water should be blue - not green.

Pesticides

Sediments also carry

pesticides — such as

herbicides and

insecticides into our

watersheds

Pesticides

Herbicides

and

insecticides

may be toxic

to aquatic

plants and

animals

Pesticides

The varying chemical

properties of

pesticides—for

example, their

solubility, toxicity,

and chemical

breakdown rate—

determine the

potential damage to

water quality.

Importance of Good Soil

Management

An understanding of soil properties and how these interact with common management practices is essential for reducing the movement of pollutants from the land to our waters.

Importance of Good Soil

Management

Reducing soil

erosion is the

key to reducing

the damaging

effects of

sedimentation.

Importance of Good Soil

Management

Fortunately, with current technology,

erosion can be reduced to acceptable

levels. The challenge is to match the

appropriate technology to each

situation.

Importance of Good Soil

Management

Various practices enhance surface water quality by controlling erosion. Some of these have little effect on groundwater. The careful use of fertilizers, animal wastes and pesticides is a widely applicable approach that benefits our groundwater. It is essential to apply management practices that protect both surface and groundwater quality.

Importance of Good Soil

Management

• Contour Farming

• Conservation tillage

• Cover Crop

• Filter strips

• Field boarders

• Crop residue management

• Terracing

• Subsurface drainage,

controlled

• Grassed waterways in fields

Importance of Good Soil

Management

• Lead storm water to rain gardens before it flows into waterway and water bodies

• Vegetative buffer strips along waters edge

• Not mowing to edge of water

• Reduce/eliminate use of pesticides and herbicides

What types of economic

impact might we expect?

• Property Values ?

• Cultural, Heritage and Eco Tourism ?

• Related Economic Development– Gas,

food, lodging, amusement, recreation,

local goods and services, specialty

shopping, etc. ?

Water Quality &

Property Value

Where would you rather live?

Before and after photos of same

water body, little different angle.

Water Quality &

Property Value

Where would you rather live?

Before and after photos of same

water body, little different angle.

Water Quality &

Property Value

More than just your perception

Water Quality &

Property Value

Studies indicate a direct correlation between

the quality of water and property values

Water Quality &

Property Value

The value of water quality is capitalized in the value of land.

(Steinnes, 1992 and Boyle, 1998)

Water Quality &

Property Value

The better the water clarity, the higher the property value.

Steinnes; BSU Study 2004,

completed for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; Secchi disk study with hedonic property value equations. Vacant lot values increased by $206 for each 1-foot increase in water clarity.

Water Quality &

Property Value

However, the increase in value for better clarity is smaller than the decrease in property value for a reduction in clarity.

Michael, Boyle & Bouchard, 1996; 1 meter improvement in Secchi disk visibility increased property values. A 1 meter reduction in Secchi disk visibility had a bigger decrease in property values. The gain was between $11 and $200 per linear foot of lake frontage. The decrease was over $300 per linear foot of lake frontage.

Other Water Clarity Studies by

Secchi Disk or Pollution Events

1. Epp & Al-Ani, 1979: Improving PH by 1 point increases value by $1,564.50 in Pennsylvania.

2. Young, 1984: malfunctioning municipal wastewater plant polluted bay and resulted in 20% drop in property value in Vermont.

3. Mendelsohn, Hellerstein, Huguenin, Unsworth and Brazee, 1992: PCB pollution dropped property values between $7,000 and $10,000 per lot in Massachusetts.

4. Leggect and Bockstael, 2000: Every change of 100 in fecal coliform count per 100 mL leads to 1.5% change in property values in Maryland.

Water Quality &

Property Value

Even views of man-made or natural water increase property values.

Seiler, Bond and Seiler, 2001: Lake Erie front view increased home value by 56% in Ohio.

Benson, Hanson, Schwartz and Smearsh, 1996: Waterfront view added 47% to the selling price of homes in Washington. Views added 32%and partial views added 10% in value, relative to no view.

Water Quality &

Property Value

Clearly, the impact of water quality on property values is significant.

In Berrien, Cass and Van Buren County water front property values run into the hundreds of millions of dollars. Any drop in water quality would result in a drop in property values. A drop in property values would have a significant negative impact on communities and all that receive tax dollars based on waterfront property values. Those impacted would include schools, ambulance, police, fire, city, township, village, park commissions, etc.

Water Quality &

Property Value

• A State of Maine Department of Environmental Protection study said that the value of lakes in local economies is “estimated to be as much as $830 per lake acre from fishing, lodging, and other recreational uses.” That was in 1985 dollars.

• Berrien County: 4,256 acres of lakes and ponds = $3,532,480

• VB County: 8,000 acres of lakes and ponds = $6,640,00

• Imagine what the numbers would be in today’s dollars!

There’s gold in

them thar lakes!

Phosphorus

Phosphorus is very immobile in most soils and concentrates in the top few inches of soil.

It is very susceptible to erosion and likely to be present in sediment.

Water Quality and Tourism

Direct Pleasure Trip Expenditures by Tourists in SW Michigan (MSUE, 1996)

$133,393,000 – Berrien County

$ 59,285,000 – Van Buren County

$ 41,328,000 – Cass County

$5.1 Billion - Michigan

Water Quality & EcoTourism

“Purposeful travel to natural areas to understand the cultural and natural history of the environment, taking

care not to alter the integrity of the ecosystem while producing economic

opportunities that make the conservation of natural resources

beneficial to local people.”

EIGHT CHARACTERISTICS OF ECOTOURISM *

• It must promote positive environmental ethics - fostering preferred behavior in its participants.

• It does not degrade the resource - There is no consumptive erosion of the natural environment visited.

• It concentrates on intrinsic rather than extrinsic values. Facilities and services may "facilitate" the encounter with the intrinsic resource; they never become attractions in their own right, nor do they distract from the natural attraction itself.

• It is biocentric rather than homocentric in philosophy. Ecotourists enter the environment accepting it on its terms, not expecting it to change or be modified for their convenience.

• It must benefit the wildlife and environment. If the environment has not at least achieved a net benefit toward its sustainability and ecological integrity, then the activity is not ecotourism.

• It is a first-hand experience with the natural environment. Movies and zoological parks do not constitute an ecotourism experience. Visitor centers and interpretive slide shows are included.

• It has an "expectation of gratification.“ • It has a high cognitive and effective experiential dimension.

* SOURCE: Ecotourism: Its Changing Face and Evolving Philosophy, Dr. James R. Butler, Department of Forestry, University of Alberta, Canada, 1992

Water Quality and Tourism

Bangor/South Haven Heritage Water Trail Association is a volunteer group of people working to open and establish a canoe and kayak trail encompassing 20.9 miles of the South Branch of the Black River between the cities of Bangor and South Haven in Van Buren County, Michigan. The mission of the Bangor/South Haven Heritage Water Trail Association is to protect and present the scenic beauty and the heritage along the Black River between Bangor and South Haven for enjoyment for all.

www.vbco.org/watertrail.asp

Water Quality and Tourism

• 8,000 water acres in VB County (399,296 total)

• 1,542 acres of public recreation land

• 28 public access sites

• 13 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline

• 25 Great Lakes marinas

• 977 Great Lakes marina slips

• 5 boat liveries

• 12 charter boats

• 586 commercial lodging units (12 B&Bs; 16 cabin/cottage and 12 hotel/motels)

• 324 miles of rivers and streams

• 3,875 owned second homes

• 1,889 campsites in 26 campground

Water Quality and Tourism

TOURISTS . . .

• Bring dollars into the community

• Have little cost to the community

• Leave their dollars and go home

• Help support amenities that we may not be able to support alone (restaurants, theatres, attractions,

rentals, etc.)

Water Quality and Tourism

• Tourists cited Michigan’s water related resources as the ‘most frequent response’ when asked what gives them a favorable impression of Michigan.

• Michigan has more ‘floatable’ streams and rivers than other state. Area canoe and kayak liveries depend on water quality for their business success.

• Thousands of registered watercraft in the tri-counties depend on water quality

• Thousands of non-resident fishing licenses are sold in the tri-counties

Water Quality and

Economic Development

Water quality helps small and

large towns in SW Michigan

Water quality can impact

economic development in both

small and large towns in SW

Michigan.

Water Quality and You

More people living along and using a

lake, river or stream can easily

threaten the quality of water.

Water Quality and You

People like and value

water quality.

That’s the danger.

More development

threatens water

quality.

Water Quality and You

Education, enlightened citizens, and well thought out and progressive policies are needed to protect water quality.

That’s where you come in!

Water Quality and You

• Care

• Ask Questions

• Seek Information

• Keep your eyes open