ABOUT US
The Huron River Watershed Council is the first and oldest river protection group in Michigan. Founded in 1965 as a public, non-profit organization, the Council is a coalition of Huron Valley residents, businesses and local governments established under Michigan's Local River Management Act (253 P.A. 1964). Since its formation, the Council has grown to be a respected voice for protection of the Huron River and its tributary streams, lakes wetlands and groundwater.

The Huron River Watershed Council has a history and reputation of working creatively and cooperatively to tackle a wide variety of issues facing the basin. The Council has worked closely with local governments throughout the Huron River Basin to enact local wetland protection ordinances, stormwater management plans, and groundwater protection ordinances. The Council was instrumental in the passage of several of Michigan's wetland and water quality protection statutes, and in passage of State Natural River designation for the Huron. Today, 40 communities, representing over 500,000 residents, support technical assistance, hands-on education and advocacy programs through voluntary HRWC membership.

MISSION STATEMENT and GOALS
The mission of the Council is to inspire attitudes, behaviors, and economies that protect, rehabilitate, and sustain the Huron River system.

HRWC will achieve its mission by focusing its resources and efforts on the following goals for 2005-2010:

A. Public Awareness and Outreach:
Goal: To build a larger group of stewards, HRWC will engage citizens, businesses and governments in stewardship activities and programs that reach a broad and more diverse audience throughout the watershed.

B. Land Use/Conservation:
Goal: To save the Huron River Watershed from irreparable damage, HRWC will change current patterns of land development toward more river-friendly choices.

C. Data collection and analysis
Goal: To support watershed management policy and citizen, businesses and government education, HRWC will provide technically sound data and research analysis.

• HRWC has developed the premiere citizen-monitoring network in the State. Our strong quality assurance and quality control mechanisms allow agencies all over the State to confidently use this data to direct water protection programs.
• HRWC implemented an award-winning mass media campaign aimed at changing behaviors to keep our water safe and clean and now offers a workbook Marketing the Environment to help other agencies with their public education.
• HRWC's initiatives to reduce phosphorus pollution in the Middle and Upper Huron produced numerous ordinances to protect natural areas, provide stronger protection of wetlands, and to reduce conversion of land and natural habitat to pavement and buildings.
• HRWC's science and policy experts respond daily to residents and government representatives to help them manage development in ways that protect creeks, wildlife, and natural features.
• HRWC has written an award-winning guidebook that communities throughout Michigan are using to develop drinking water protection plans.

Last Updated: February 2006