Saginaw River and Bay AOC
Trent Henry
(henry.trent@epa.gov)
312-886-5031
On this page:
Overview
The Saginaw River and Bay was designated as an Area of Concern (AOC) under the 1987 Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. Contaminated sediments, fish consumption advisories, degraded fisheries and loss of significant recreational values are the major reasons for this AOC designation. Saginaw River and Bay priorities include nonpoint pollution control, wetland and habitat restoration, and remediation of sediment contaminated with dioxin, PCBs and other organics.
Contaminants in the AOC include dioxins, furans, PCBs, chloride, chloride, metals, acids, and excessive nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus. Sources of these pollutants include industrial, municipal and stormwater discharges, as well as agricultural runoff.
Announcements
A collaborative group of local, state, and federal partners and community members are meeting monthly to develop a framework for remediation and restoration of the Saginaw River and Bay AOC. The group is also developing an outreach strategy to engage local communities throughout the Saginaw Bay watershed. Members of the public and any other interested parties are encouraged to reach out to Trent Henry (henry.trent@epa.gov) for more information on how to get involved. The meeting details are listed below.
- Thursday March 20, 2025
- Time: 4:30-6:30pm
- Location: Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU; 7400 Bay Rd, University Center, MI 48710, Science East Building, Room 204/205)
- Thursday April 17, 2025
- Time: 4:30-6:30pm
- Location: City of Bay City Wastewater facility (2905 N Water St Bay City MI 48708, Conference Room Park by the flagpole up front)
- Thursday May 15, 2025
- Time: 4:30-6:30pm
- Location: SVSU
- Thursday June 19, 2025
- Time: 4:30-6:30pm
- Location: Michigan State University (MSU) Extension Saginaw Valley Research and Extension Center (SVREC; 3775 S Reese Rd, Frankenmuth, MI 48734)
- Thursday July 17, 2025
- Time: 4:30-6:30pm
- Location: MSU Extension SVREC
- Thursday August 21, 2025
- Time: 4:30-6:30pm
- Location: To be determined
- Thursday September 18, 2025
- Time: 4:30-6:30pm
- Location: MSU Extension SVREC
- Thursday October 16, 2025
- Time: 4:30-6:30pm
- Location: MSU Extension SVREC
- Thursday November 20, 2025
- Time: 4:30-6:30pm
- Location: MSU Extension SVREC
Beneficial Use Impairments
An interim success of remediation and restoration work is removing Beneficial Use Impairments (BUIs). BUIs are designations given by the EPA representing different types of significant environmental degradation. As cleanup work is completed, and monitoring demonstrates sufficient environmental health improvements, BUIs can gradually be removed. The list below shows which BUIs have been removed, and which remain at the Saginaw River and Bay AOC. Once all BUIs are removed, the process of delisting the AOC can begin.
Beneficial Use Impairments for the Great Lakes AOCs
The Saginaw River and Bay AOC has twelve of the fourteen potential BUIs. Three of those, Tainting of Fish and Wildlife Flavor, Restrictions on Drinking Water Consumption or Taste and Odor Problems, and Loss of Fish and Wildlife Habitat have been removed.
Saginaw River AOC BUI Removal Documents
- Restrictions on Fish and Wildlife Consumption
- Eutrophication or Undesirable Algae
- Tainting of Fish and Wildlife Flavor – Removed September 2008
- Restrictions on Drinking Water Consumption or Taste and Odor Problems – Removed June 2008
- Degradation of Fish and Wildlife Populations
- Beach Closings
- Degradation of Aesthetics
- Bird or Animal Deformities or Reproduction Problems
- Degradation of Benthos
- Degradation of Phytoplankton and Zooplankton Populations
- Restrictions on Dredging Activities
- Loss of Fish and Wildlife Habitat – Removed May 2014
Remediation and Restoration Work
The Saginaw River and Bay AOC has nine remaining BUIs. Several of the existing BUIs are linked to the need for sediment contamination remediation. Sediment cleanup efforts continue upstream of the AOC currently, through the Saginaw-Tittabawassee Rivers Superfund site. Many partners and local entities continue to work together to make progress and find ways to address challenges and advance the BUIs that remain.
The following projects are assessment and evaluation efforts necessary to collect baseline information, identify current conditions and track trends. The results of these efforts will be used to determine the status of each related BUI and help determine which actions will need to be implemented for BUI removal.
Documents
- Documents on Restoring Saginaw River and Bay AOC
- Remediation and Restoration Projects for Saginaw River and Bay AOC
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Assessment Project Highlight
Colonial Waterbird Population, Reproduction, and Health Impairments
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Assessment Project Highlight
Assessing bird or Animal Deformities or Reproduction Problems BUI
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Evaluation Project Highlight
Bald Eagle Productivity Flights and Partnerships Investigating Contaminants in Chicks