Board seeks volunteers to monitor Oakland County lakes this summer

The Oakland County Board of Commissioners and Health Division have partnered with the Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps) to provide Oakland County residents with free training and equipment to monitor lake water quality this summer through the Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program (CLMP).

"Lakes face many environmental challenges, from stinky and unsightly algae blooms to invasive plants that crowd out fish and native plants and stop us from boating and swimming," said Paul Steen from MiCorps. "The first step in maintaining good water quality is collecting scientific data to forecast problems before they are too big to stop. There are not enough professional scientists to do this job. We need volunteers to play an active role in fighting to protect our lakes."

The CLMP has been an important component of Michigan's inland lakes monitoring program for over 40 years, making it the second oldest volunteer monitoring program for lakes in the country. From mid-May through mid-September, volunteers will take weekly samples and conduct a survey of aquatic invasive plants. Volunteers must have access to a boat.

"Water is one of Michigan's greatest resources," said Commissioner Marcia Gershenson. "This program will help reassure residents that our lakes are safe places to swim and fish."

Interested residents are encouraged to attend an upcoming information session on Saturday, February 24, at 10 a.m., and the required training on Saturday, May 5, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The meetings will be held in the Commissioners Auditorium at 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Building 12E in Pontiac.

"This is a win-win for protecting Oakland County's lakes," said Commissioner Dave Woodward. "I'm proud to have led the effort to launch this new environmental initiative to monitor, test and protect our numerous lakes not just for today, but for long into the future. We all have a responsibility to protect our lakes and water."

For questions about the information session or to register for the training, contact Paul Steen at psteen@hrwc.org or 734-769-5123 x 601. For additional information about the Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program, visit www.micorps.net/lake-monitoring or call 989-257-3715.

Published: Fri, Feb 23, 2018