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Measurable Phosphorus Reductions in the Huron!

Research supported by the city and performed by Dr. John Lehman at the UM and his graduate students is showing measurable reductions in phosphorus in the Huron River between 2008 and 2003-2005 sampling periods.  The city is cautiously optimistic because these findings are coincident with the City Council enactment of a phosphorus fertilizer ordinance.  While this research does not demonstrate that the ordinance is the cause, the reductions appear to be real and range from 18 to 31% depending on sampling times and sites.

 

Click here to download a summary report.

 Click here for a more detailed report

 

Huron River Video Tour

Take a video tour of the Huron River (hosted on Google Video).  Watch in High Quality if you have the bandwidth.  Thanks to Tim Nagae (CTN), Mickey Aldridge (script), and Sandra Arlinghaus (Google Earth footage).

A2 Green Newsletter Fact Sheet Series

Click here for issues of A2 Green Sheets: City of Ann Arbor environmental news and fact sheet series.

The following are highlights of current environment initiatives at the City of Ann Arbor.

ICMA Ann Arbor Quality of Life Video - Google Video

America's 50 Greenest Cities - Popular Science

Energy

• Farmers Market Solar - 10 kW photovoltaic system to be installed 2008
• Green Energy Challenge to increase city-wide renewable energy use (ongoing)
• 5,000 Solar Roofs Initiative (ongoing)
• Washtenaw County Wind Project (ongoing)
• LED Street Lighting Pilot (ongoing)
• Biodiesel Plant Feasibility Study (completed)
• ICLEI Cities for Climate Protection (ongoing)
• Green Energy Map (ongoing)
• Biodigester Feasibility Study (completed)

Water

• Rain Barrels and Rain Gardens (2007)
• Phosphorus-free Fertilizer Ordinance (2007)
• Huron River and Impoundment Management Committee (2007)
• Huron River aquatic vegetation study (2007)
• Flood Mitigation Plan (2007)
• Water Treatment Facilities and Water Resources Master Plan (2006)
• Footing Drain Disconnect Program (ongoing)
• Stormwater Rates Study (ongoing)
• Stormwater GIS and Hydraulic Modeling (ongoing)

Transportation

• Non-motorized Transportation Plan (2007)
• Ann Arbor to Detroit Rapid Transit Study with SEMCOG (ongoing)
• Updating Comprehensive Transportation Plan (ongoing)
• Model for Mobility -  regional alternative transportation vision (ongoing)
• A2D2: Comprehensive Parking Study (ongoing)

Recycling, Reuse, and Solid Waste

• Recycle Right Video - Google Video
• New Transfer Station (2007)
• Expanded Compost Processing Facility (2007)
• Expanded recycling services to City businesses (2007)
• Record-breaking home toxics and e-waste collection event in October 2006
• Compost Pilot Program Information (ongoing)

Land Use and Development

• A2D2: Ann Arbor Discovers Downtown development recommendations (ongoing)
• Northeast Area Plan - Named Best Master Plan in 2006
• Detention Pond Survey (ongoing)
• Green Belt Strategic Plan and Advisory Committee (ongoing)
• Tree Replanting following Emerald Ash Borer (ongoing)
• Three approved Brownfield cleanup projects (ongoing)

Parks and Recreation

• Parks, Recreation and Open Space plan approved (2006)
• New raptor home at the Leslie Science Center (2006)
• Adopt-a-Park program established (2006)
• Frog, salamander and toad survey (ongoing)

Coming Soon

• Anti-Idling Vehicle Ordinance
• Lighting ordinances to reduce energy
• Green Fair – June 12, 2009

FertilizerStudyYear1.pdf