Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy

Rule Changes

Received photos and samples of the snails for confirmation

Michigan officials have confirmed the New Zealand mudsnail in Bear Creek, a coldwater tributary of the Thornapple River in Kent County. It is the first detection of the invasive snail in southern Lower Michigan, about 75 miles south of the closest known infestation.

Updated 4 days ago

Built World

Grant funder

Greenville property owners in the 2026 sewer special assessment district owe $552,736.58, payable in five equal annual installments. The City Council confirmed the roll on Nov. 3 after a public hearing drew no objections.

Updated 6 days ago

Money Moves

Grant administrator and co-convener of the partnership

The Detroit Zoo needs industrial-level cooling to keep its polar bears and penguins comfortable. A new $260,000 state grant will help it design heat pumps and geothermal loops to do that with far less energy.

Updated Oct 30

Money Moves

As of October 2026: Co-leads Reclaim the Rivers

Michigan will spend $89 million from pollution settlements to strip decades of industrial contamination from the Detroit and Kalamazoo rivers. Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the Reclaim the Rivers initiative Thursday at Belle Isle, with money targeting PCB-heavy sediment and damaged wildlife habitat.

Updated Oct 2

Rule Changes

As of September 2026: Tracks harmful algal blooms and tests water samples

Crystal Lake Public Beach in Montcalm County is under a health advisory. Routine monitoring found an algal bloom that tested positive for microcystin, a toxin that can sicken people and kill pets. The Mid-Michigan District Health Department (MMDHD) is telling visitors to avoid areas of the lake where the bloom is visible.

Updated Sep 4