Michigan Statewide Public Advisory Council
Our vision is a vibrant Great Lakes Ecosystem in which we are stewards striving to enhance, restore and protect the health of the Great Lakes for the future of all inhabitants.

The Statewide Public Advisory Council for Michigan's Areas of Concern Program
The Statewide Public Advisory Council (SPAC) was formed in 1991 to facilitate public participation in decisions affecting Michigan's statewide Areas of Concern (AOC) program, heighten public awareness of and participation in the Remedial Action Plans (RAPs) being developed in the AOCs, and generate public support for implementation of restoration and protection measures in the AOCs.

The Council includes representation from each of Michigan's 14 AOCs. The Council coordinates support for and communication among local public advisory councils in the AOCs, provides training and technical assistance to RAP participants, and advises state and federal agencies and elected officials on priorities for the statewide AOC program.

The SPAC typically meets three times per year and sponsors an annual briefing for state legislators and training workshops on issues affecting the RAPs. The SPAC also publishes a biannual newsletter, Michigan Areas of Concern NEWS. The Council is supported by the Great Lakes Commission with funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ).

About the Areas of Concern
The Areas of Concern are watersheds along the Great Lakes suffering from degraded environmental conditions stemming from historic and ongoing pollution. They were designated under the U.S.-Canada Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement based on the presence of beneficial use impairments, such as restrictions on fish and wildlife consumption, beach closures, drinking water restrictions, loss of fish and wildlife habitat, etc.

Of the 42 current Great Lakes AOCs, 14 are located in Michigan. They include rivers, lakes and bays located across the state. Michigan's AOC program is administered by MDEQ's Surface Water Quality Division in collaboration with other state and federal agencies and local stakeholders.

Remedial Action Plans (RAPs) have been developed and and are being implemented for all designated AOCs in the Great Lakes basin. RAPs were developed for each AOC to address impairments to any one of 14 beneficial uses (e.g., restrictions on fish and wildlife consumption, dredging activities, or drinking water consumption) associated with them. RAPs use an ecosystem-based, multi-media approach for assessing and remediating impaired uses. The RAP process is a model of grassroots environmental democracy, stressing empowerment of the affected public within AOCs. Successful RAPs are community driven, with active federal, state and local involvement.

MICH-RAP Email List
MICH-RAP is an email listserver for the RAP and LaMP community in Michigan. It is a forum for sharing news and information related to the Areas of Concern and Lakewide Management programs in the state of Michigan. Appropriate postings concern meeting announcements; new publications; funding opportunities; updates on relevant legislative activities; information requests; requests for suggestions and guidance regarding LaMP and RAP efforts; and media coverage related to the RAPs and LaMPs.

For information on how to subscribe, send messages and other list guidelines, visit the MICH-RAP Welcome Page. For questions regarding this email list or to to speak to the MICH-RAP Administrator, contact:

Matt Doss
SPAC Support Staff
Great Lakes Commission
Eisenhower Corporate Park
2805 S. Industrial Hwy., Suite 100
Ann Arbor, MI 48104-6791
mdoss@glc.org
voice: 734-971-9135
fax: 734-971-9150