A study shows that only two of the five Great Lakes have an ecosystem that is considered “good.”

No sewage reached any storm sewer or watercourse.

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy’s Air Quality Division has released its Annual Air Quality Report for 2019. The overall air quality improved across Michigan in 2019, according to the report. The report focuses on information for specific pollutants, including those with National Ambient Air Quality Standards and toxic air contaminants, air quality trends, and an overview of the air monitoring network. A nonattainment area is considered to have air quality worse than the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. View the full report below:More information on the Air Quality Division’s annual program activities can be found in the Year End Air Quality Program Report or at Michigan.gov/Air.

ANN ARBOR – Recycle Ann Arbor was selected by the American Beverage Association to receive an $800,000 investment under its Every Bottle Back initiative to rebuild and reopen the city’s shuttered recycling facility. The closure of the city’s Materials Recovery Facility in 2016 subsequently diverted the processing of recyclable materials -- including the industry’s 100% recyclable polyethylene terephthalate plastic bottles --across state lines. “Local processing of recyclables brings a range of environmental, economic, and social benefits, creating a regional hub that will allow recycling to flourish,” Bryan Ukena, CEO of Recycle Ann Arbor said in a statement. Recycle Ann Arbor looks forward to bringing its 42 years of experience as a mission-based community recycler to the collaboration.”✉ Like what you’re reading? Overall, the beverage industry has committed to funding 11 initial projects like the reopening of the Ann Arbor recycling facility under Every Bottle Back to ensure its bottles are properly remade instead of polluting beaches, lakes or ending up in landfills.

CENTRAL LAKE, Mich. A northern Michigan lake thats famous for its turquoise waters is facing an outbreak of brown algae thats left its sandy bottom covered with mushy, squishy mats. Rick Welsh, a part-time lakeshore resident, said the brown algae was first noticed about a decade ago, but now the golden-brown algae grows in thick mats and sticks to the otherwise sugar-sand bottom of the lake in Antrim Countys Torch Lake, according to the Traverse City Record-Eagle. Its oozy, yucky and mucky, Welsh said. It easily comes up when disturbed.Welsh, a member for the Torch Lake Protection Alliance, said that there are investigations into the algae with results due in the fall. Officials with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, have said it appears to be a non-harmful form of algae.

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. A sunken boat must be removed from the bottom of Grand Traverse Bay in northern Michigan, according to state officials. Federal and state authorities said Thursday they are working to arrange the salvage operation for the 33-foot-long vessel that sank last month, the Traverse City Record-Eagle reported. Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy spokesman Nick Assendelft said officials dont want that left in the water.The boat took on water June 19 and sank. The boats owner, Todd Elsenheimer, said he has insurance on the lake cruiser and his plan all along has been to remove it from the bay. The sunken boat continues to be monitored and it does not appear any of the 70 gallons of fuel believed to be on board has leaked, according to the Coast Guard.

ANN ARBOR Early Tuesday morning at approximately 5:30 a.m., staff at the City of Ann Arbor Wastewater Treatment Plant discovered an overflow of partially treated wastewater. According to city officials, the water was treated with settling and chlorine disinfection before it flowed directly into the Huron River. Over five-hours, an estimated 600 to 1,500 gallons of partially treated wastewater discharged into the Huron River. During this time, the flow into the Huron River was an estimated 437,580,000 gallons. According to protocol, city of Ann Arbor staff notified the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy and the Washtenaw County Health Department of the incident.