News Photo by Steve Schulwitz A wave splashes in the air after hitting the shoreline at Bay View Park in Alpena on Tuesday. Local government officials have made a pledge to protect Lake Huron and incorporate the lake into its long-term plans.

ALPENA — Local government officials in the Alpena area know the importance Lake Huron has on the way of life of residents and the appeal it has for visitors.

This month, Alpena, Alpena Township, and Alpena County all passed a resolution to take the Lake Huron Forever Pledge.

Lake Huron Forever is a partnership initiated in 2019 by shoreline community foundations and conservation partners from the U.S. and Canada to advance water quality protection and healthy, sustainable communities on both sides of the lake.

To Northeast Michigan, Lake Huron and Thunder Bay in particular offers recreational opportunities while spurring tourism and economic development. To make sure the lake continues to help those aspects of our community thrive, maintaining and protecting the lake is paramount, officials said.

Among the promises from local governments as part of the pledge are maintaining current programs, curbing stormwater runoff, providing a strong and comprehensive recycling program, controlling the spread of invasive species, identifying and developing opportunities for public education and engagement, and other efforts and planning that supports Lake Huron.

The pledge outlines individual tasks the three municipalities can undertake to help ensure the Great Lakes remain clean and viable.

ALPENA

The Alpena Municipal Council pledged to work with environmental group Huron Pines to identify and implement green infrastructure projects at priority sites to capture and treat stormwater before it enters the Thunder Bay River and Lake Huron.

The council also promised to evaluate and update current zoning practices to include low-impact development, green infrastructure, sensitive area protection, naturalized lawn opportunities, and improved parking lot practices.

The city will also prioritize the renaturalization of coastal parks in order to improve user experience, improve wildlife habitat, and increase coastal resilience. It also will explore incentive programs that promote green infrastructure on private property. It will also share the Lake Huron Forever Pledge adoption and local importance with economic and community development organizations working to promote Alpena and the local outdoor recreation economy.

“Lake Huron is at the core of our community and keeping this vital natural resource healthy will contribute to the well-being and quality of life of our citizens,” City Manager Rachel Smolinski said. “We look forward to building strong partnerships with the township and county, which will help improve and protect Lake Huron for future generations.”

ALPENA COUNTY

The county will work with the community and trails and conservation partners to plan, design, and implement trail and pathways projects that enhance local outdoor recreation opportunities for varying abilities, strengthen community health, and incorporate stewardship considerations to protect local natural resources.

It will also support information-sharing and implementation related to the Countywide Invasive Species Assessment completed by Huron Pines to better inform high-priority needs for invasive species removal and native plant restoration. The county may explore cost-share options for removal and help connect technical partners to landowners with high-priority species.

When county commissioners voted to pass the resolution, they pledged to work with Alpena and Alpena Township to strategically protect sensitive habitat, balance undeveloped land and green space with development opportunities and community needs, and identify potential green infrastructure projects to reduce water quality impacts across the county.

It will also include the pledge into goals in updates and development of relevant county plans such as the active Recreation and Master Plans.

ALPENA TOWNSHIP

The township will evaluate and update current zoning practices to include low-impact development, green infrastructure, sensitive area protection, naturalized lawn opportunities, and improved parking lot practices and explore incentive programs that promote green infrastructure on private property.

Like Alpena, the township will continue its partnership with Huron Pines to conduct coastal inventories and invasive controls on township-held coastal properties and privately held parcels and work with Huron Pines and other partners to develop guidance for utilizing native plants and native species in development projects as an alternative to non-native grasses and ground cover.

The township will coordinate with Alpena and Alpena County in development of that resource so it can be used across the area. The township also will promote educational outreach to agricultural producers along sensitive riparian areas.

The community-specific actions were identified through input from elected officials, residents, and local stakeholders and the goal is to use the pledge as a guide for municipal leaders to clarify, understand, and identify specific tools they can use to protect the natural resources on which their communities rely.

The pledge also states that, if adhered to, it will help ensure community well-being and economic prosperity, which are tied to Lake Huron.

“Taking the Lake Huron Forever pledge will help ensure that today’s environmental issues are addressed to the best of our ability and ensure our children will be afforded the best water quality possible,” Township Supervisor Nathan Skibbe said. “Doing so in cadence with the county and city will only strengthen our resolve to a sustainable future.”