The city was selected as the first in the region to utilize a new stormwater filter on its main stormwater outlet. The filter is expected to capture trash and debris from the ground and prevent it from moving through the storm drain system and into the lake.

The filter system was fabricated in Alpena and is slated for installation in Rogers City on Friday.

The idea of the filter came to MDOT Maintenance Coordinator Eric Precord, who saw a similar filter used in Australia that stopped trash entering the water with use of steel grating and netting.

Precord priced the products online, but they were quite costly, so he designed one on his own, adding a few tweaks he believes will improve its effectiveness. Once the design of the filter is perfected, Precord hopes to see other shoreline municipalities incorporate them into their drainage-systems.

Courtesy Photo Rogers City Harbormaster Wayne Saile shows the stormwater drain near Lakeside Park, where a prototype water filter is slated to be installed Friday to help limit the amount of litter that goes into the lake.

“I looked at the products and knew we could make a better one using the talented people we have right here,” Precord said. “What I’ll do is see how it works, look at the pros and cons, and then I’ll make the 2.0 version for spots maybe in Alpena and Oscoda.”

Precord said the metal portion of the filter was fabricated by S&A Company in Alpena, and the meshwork by Alpena Trim.

Precord said he selected Rogers City for the trial run of the prototype because he monitors a portion of the stormwater drain system there. He said one portion of the system covers a large area for the city and drains into one location near Lakeside Park. He said that is a key area to keep pollutants from getting into the water because there are a lot of people who use the water near there, and there is a lot of wildlife in the vicinity.

Great Lakes Great Responsibility founder Meag Schwartz said in a press release she is pleased the state is using new methods to protect the Great Lakes.

“MDOT is taking a really important step to explore ways they can work with the existing infrastructure to prevent marine debris,” Schwartz said. “Many coastal stormwater systems across the Great Lakes region drain directly into the lakes; with a heavy rain event any litter that is in gutters can make its way into the lakes.”

Rogers City Mayor Scott McLennan said the installation of the new filter is another key step in helping to protect the lake. He added other environmental initiatives are in the works and will soon come to light.

“We all know how important our natural resources here are, and we recognize it’s very important to maintain the environment and keep it as pristine as possible,” McLennan said.

MDOT will monitor the filter, but Precord hopes the public assists in keeping an eye on it.

He hopes a new program is formed from what is happening in Rogers City. If local governments, road commissioners, members of the public, and private businesses get involved, Precord said it would do wonders for the lake.

We all know about the Adopt-a-Highway program. I can envision this becoming an Adopt-a -Waterway type of thing,” Precord said.