Current Research Projects

Integrated Assessment of Coastal Brownfield Redevelopment in Michigan: A Spatial Decision Support Systems Approach
Project: R/CCD-1, start date: 2007

Michigan’s coastline includes many brownfields, underutilized properties that contain hazardous or toxic substances making redevelopment efforts difficult. The state is interested in refining and improving its coastal brownfield redevelopment effort by (1) identifying the approaches that lead to successful redevelopment, and (2) determining how project success can be incorporated into future redevelopment efforts. Using GIS analysis based on interviews with people involved in cleanup and redevelopment efforts, decision analysis theory, and various computer algorithms, a spatial decision support system will be developed to help evaluate project data against different redevelopment possibilities and alternative policy scenarios. The outcome will be a robust, user-friendly system that will enable policy makers, managers and stakeholders to more effectively accomplish the goals of coastal brownfield redevelopment, and provide a model system that could be adapted for use in other redevelopment efforts throughout the Great Lakes region.

Dr. William Welsh, Eastern Michigan University, wwelsh@emich.edu
Dr. Robert Jones, Eastern Michigan University, robert.jones@emich.edu

See: EMU Exemplar article (PDF)

Alternative Stormwater Management Practices that Address the Environmental, Social, and Economic Aspects of Water Resources in Spring Lake Township and Village
Project: R/WQ-1, start date: 2007

Stormwater management is a major issue for municipalities. As increasing amounts of land are converted to impervious surfaces, water that was once absorbed naturally is now conveyed by storm drains and canals to nearby surface waters. This stormwater runoff increases both pollutant loads and water temperatures, which have adverse impacts on water quality, fish and aquatic insects, and can lead to an unstable system. This issue is especially pertinent in two fast-growing west Michigan communities—Spring Lake Township and the Village of Spring Lake—located along the shores of Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Grand River. Spring Lake and the Grand River already suffer from high levels of phosphorus and potentially toxic cyanobacteria blooms. Nearshore areas of Lake Michigan are now showing signs of impairment from nonpoint source pollution. An integrated approach is needed to address stormwater issues in these communities given their intimate connection to several economically and recreationally important aquatic systems.

See: Project website

Alan Steinman, Annis Water Resources Institute, Grand Valley State University, steinmaa@gvsu.edu

What are the Causes, Consequences and Correctives of Fish Contamination in the Detroit River AOC that Cause Health Consumption Advisories?
Project: R/WQ-2, start date: 2007

The Detroit River remains under several fish consumption advisories in place to protect human health but which also impact the local economy. Despite the impact of these advisories, little progress has been made in developing effective strategies that address them. For example, although more than $120 million dollars has been spent removing toxic sediment in the river, there is little evidence of ecosystem improvement. There are also many uncertainties about the most important aspects of these advisories, including the relative contribution of sediment hot spots, the role of point compared to nonpoint sources of contaminants, and the appropriateness of the current method for developing consumption advisories. Because of these complexities, solutions for remedying consumption advisories will require novel approaches in two directions: the first, decreasing toxic levels in fish over the long-term, and the second, reducing human health risks over the short- and long-term.

Donna Kashian, University of Michigan, dkashian@umich.edu
See: Website

Genetic Pollution: Coastal Beaches as Environmental Reservoirs of Virulence and Antibiotic Resistance Genes
Project: R/PSC-5, start date: 2005

One relatively unexplored aspect of beach health is shoreline sand. Several recent studies of public recreational beaches in the Great Lakes have shown that high densities of E. coli bacteria persist in the sand throughout the beach season. In this study, researchers will examine two types of genes that may be transferred among bacteria that inhabit the sand. The study will determine whether this transfer is occurring and the implications for public health. 

Elizabeth Wheeler Alm, Central Michigan University, alm1ew@cmich.edu, (989) 774-2503.

Guiding Shoreline Restoration: Fish Habitat Choices Based on Flow Signatures
Project: R/GLF-53, start date: 2005

Great Lakes bays and channels are ecologically valuable and provide nursery areas for many species of fish. Yet shoreline development, marsh fragmentation and increasing human activity threaten these sensitive habitats. Waves driven onshore by boats are thought to pose a significant hazard, especially in areas where seawalls are used. This project will determine the effects of water flow on shoreline habitat and nearshore fish communities. Researchers will conduct a comparison of wave and water flow dynamics and the response of fish in five contrasting sites within the bays and channels of the Les Cheneaux islands in Michigan's eastern upper peninsula.

Paul Webb, University of Michigan, pwebb@umich.edu, (734) 763-2332.

Evaluating Harvest Policies for Yellow Perch in Lake Michigan
Project: R/FM-2, start date: 2005

Following a sharp decline in the 1990s, Lake Michigan’s yellow perch population is beginning to show signs of recovery. Sound management will be critical in the coming years to provide optimal fishery benefits in the face of long-term fluctuations. Using decision analysis techniques, researchers will develop a forecasting model to provide managers with the information they need to develop a well-founded harvest policy. Several workshops will be conducted in close cooperation with the Lake Michigan Yellow Perch Task Group.

James Bence, Michigan State University,bence@msu.edu, (517) 432-3812
Michael Jones, Michigan State University, jonesm30@msu.edu, (517) 432-0465

W. Charles Kerfoot, Michigan Technological University, wkerfoot@mtu.edu, (906) 487-2769

Top