Bay County Environmental Affairs 
& Community Development Department
Laura Ogar, Director 
ogarl@baycounty.net

 

                

Bay County Building
515 Center Avenue, Suite 501
Bay City, Michigan 48708-5124

Voice 989-895-4135
Fax 989-895-4068
TDD/TTY 989-895-4049

It's no secret that Bay County's quality of life could be improved by focusing on critical water quality and natural resource issues. With that in mind, county government established this department and directed it to coordinate and facilitate the participation of local government officials, farmers and agribusiness representatives, recreational users, local environmental groups, business and economic development organizations, and the public to increase general community awareness and involvement. The department also encourages conservation and reasonable use of natural resources and is responsible for implementing several recreational and educational access projects for Bay County. This department seeks and receives a variety of grants for such projects, and is also responsible for updating the Solid Waste Management Plan as defined by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.

Divisions Under the Environmental Affairs & Community Development Department:


Public Notice
Bay City Area Transporation Study (BCATS) 2040 Metropolitan Transportation Plan
Public Comment and Open House: 
Wednesday, May 23, 2012 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on the second floor conference room (old commission chambers) of the Bay County Building located at 515 Center Avenue, Bay City, Michigan.  BCATS is seeking public comment on the proposed BCATS 2040 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP).  Public is encouraged to submit comments prior to June 8, 2012 to Dave Engelhardt, BCATS Director at engelhardtd@baycounty.net.   

Upcoming Events:

Bay County Mosquito Control Spring Scrap Tire Drive:
The Bay County Mosquito Control Program will be having their Spring Scrap Tire Drive on Saturday, May 19, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Bay County Mosquito Control Building, 810 Livingston Avenue, Bay City, MI and at the Bay County Pinconning Park, 3041 East Pinconning Road, Pinconning, MI.

The 6th Annual Beach Wellness Day:
Saturday, June 23, 2012 starting at 9:00 a.m. at the Bay City State Recreational Area, 3582 State Park Drive, Bay City, Michigan.  5K & 10K Run, 5K Walk, and Kids Fun Run all along the shores of the Saginaw Bay.  Volley ball teams compet on the shores of the Saginaw Bay, Concerts, and all day fun in the Sun!

2012 Bay County Electronics Recycling Drop Off A Success! 
The Bay County Environmental Affairs & Community Development Department successfully hosted an Electronics Recycing Drop off event on Saturday, April 14, 2012.  To read more about this event, please check out the MLive Article from 04/14/12.

Maps of Interest:

Bing Map Link for Birds Eye Viewer of Bay City State Recreation Area 

Shoreline Viewer Website Birds Eye Viewer of the Upper Peninsula
The Great Lakes Shoreviewer provides professional color photography of every inch of coastline (and many islands) in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (Lake Superior, Lake Michigan and Lake Huron). Each coastline photo also has a series of maps showing important natural features for planning and protection efforts.

Aerial Treatment of Phragmities Along Saginaw Bay Shoreline:
Aerial spraying to control the invasive plant Phragmites, is set to take place one time during the period between September 15, 2011 and October 15, 2011 along the Saginaw Bay shoreline adjacent to Bay County’s Pinconning Park and Fraser Township’s Linwood Scenic Park, at the east end of Linwood Road. The exact date is unknown at this time as aerial spray treatment is weather dependant, with favorable conditions of light winds with moderate humidity.   The aerial treatment will be done by helicopter as this was determined to be the most effective method to reach the shoreline area and can target stands of phragmites only.  An herbicide mixture of the products Habitat (Imazapyr), and Aqua Pro (glyphosate) a surfactant will be used to treat only those areas of Pinconning Park and Linwood Scenic Park area that have dense stands of phragmites.   This mixture is specially formulated to be targeted to plants and safe for use in aquatic ecosystems near waterways.   There will be a 24 hour water use restriction at the treatment area, so signs will be posted against swimming and/or wading at the site.  Bay County Environmental Affairs and Community Development received a grant for phragmites treatment at the Pinconning Park location from the US Fish and Wildlife agency.   Please note that a separate but similar spray application will be done about the same time at the Nayanguing Point area by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.  Any questions should be directed to Laura Ogar, Director of the Bay County Environmental Affairs and Community Development Department 989-895-41356 or via email at ogarl@baycounty.net. The General Permit is available for viewing by clicking HERE. 

In The News:

MLive:  Farmers in Saginaw Bay Region focused on water quality, not animal waste with recent $550,000 federal funding program (July 6, 2011)
Midland Daily News:  Saginaw Bay Part of Preservation-Conservation Effort (July 5, 2011)
MLive:  Update:  $550,000 in federal conservation funds announced to help preserve Saginaw Bay Watershed (July 5, 2011)
Great Lakes Echo: Local governments search for funds to fix failing septic systems (June 28, 2011)

 

 
        
Δ Saginaw Bay Coastal Initiative (SBCI) Official County Webpage

Economic Areas of Interest

DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE):
The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) invests in clean energy technologies that strengthen the economy, protect the environment, and reduce dependence on foreign oil. 

Wind Energy
   
Δ  Wind Energy 

Other Environmental Links
Please click
here for links to information regarding governmental, educational, recreational and advisory environmental organizations and groups.

 Other Areas of Interest

Δ Hazard Mitigation Plan

 

 

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