Latest news with #EGLE
Newsweek
a day ago
- Climate
- Newsweek
Millions Told to Monitor Themselves for Coughing, Dizziness
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Millions of people in Michigan were asked to monitor themselves for physical symptoms such as coughing and dizziness on Wednesday as an air quality alert was issued across the entire state. Newsweek reached out to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) via email for comment. Why It Matters A significant air quality advisory covered all of Michigan, warning millions to monitor themselves for respiratory symptoms such as coughing and dizziness. Health officials highlighted the increased risk from rising levels of fine particulate pollution—largely due to wildfire smoke—especially for sensitive groups including children, older adults and individuals with heart or lung conditions. Elevated particulate matter in the atmosphere can worsen chronic illnesses and lead to acute health issues, underscoring the urgent need for precaution. Similar alerts have been issued across the Upper Midwest and Northeast throughout the summer as smoke from Canadian wildfires descends into the U.S. What to Know EGLE issued a statewide Air Quality Advisory beginning Wednesday and extending through Thursday. It covers every Michigan county, affecting cities from Ludington and Grand Rapids to Lansing, Kalamazoo and Jackson. A stock photo shows a woman coughing while outside. A stock photo shows a woman coughing while outside. Liubomyr Vorona/Getty Officials reported that fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels reached the "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" threshold statewide, with select areas in northern Michigan experiencing even higher "Unhealthy" conditions. The source of the Air Quality Index (AQI) spike was smoke drifting south from Canadian wildfires, first affecting the Upper Peninsula before spreading through the northern Lower Peninsula and across Michigan by midweek. Forecast models indicated the haze would persist until at least Thursday, with the highest concentrations expected in northern counties. EGLE recommended minimizing strenuous or prolonged outdoor activities, especially for individuals with preexisting health conditions such as heart disease, asthma or other respiratory illnesses. Residents were advised to monitor for symptoms of smoke exposure, which include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, dizziness or sensations of burning in the nose, throat and eyes. Additional steps for reducing risk included: Keeping windows closed overnight to block smoke from entering homes. Running central air conditioning equipped with MERV-13 or higher filters, if available. Reducing or avoiding activities that contribute to air pollution, such as outdoor burning or utilizing residential wood-burning devices. According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), certain populations—including children, older adults, pregnant individuals and those with chronic heart or lung diseases—face greater risks from wildfire smoke exposure. Social and economic factors, as well as frequent outdoor activities or work, can also increase vulnerability. The health effects of wildfire smoke range from mild irritation to serious aggravations of asthma attacks and even heart failure. Michigan residents can monitor real-time air quality data via the MiAir website and the national EPA AirNow platform. For further health guidance, they were directed to MDHHS resources and hotlines. What People Are Saying The National Weather Service posted to X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday afternoon: "Northerly winds will continue to transport smoke from wildfires south into Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan today resulting in poor air quality. Sensitive groups, such as people with lung disease (including asthma), heart disease, and children and older adults, may experience health effects." MDHHS, on a webpage about wildfire smoke: "Climate change makes wildfire season worse. Hotter and drier conditions in North American forests mean that there is more dry wood and underbrush that can easily be ignited by a stray campfire spark or a lightning strike. Wildfire smoke is made up of gases and small (or fine) particles that can harm your health if you breathe it. Everyone should avoid breathing wildfire smoke, and some people are more sensitive to it because of their age or pre-existing health conditions." What Happens Next The statewide air quality advisory was expected to remain in effect through at least Thursday night, though conditions could change depending on weather shifts and the movement of wildfire smoke. State officials strongly encouraged residents to stay updated on air quality forecasts and to continue following protective health measures as pollution levels fluctuated. If health symptoms worsen—especially in individuals with known respiratory or cardiac conditions—prompt medical evaluation was recommended.
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Yahoo
Shuttered Michigan ski resort on the cusp of reopening
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — After being closed for 25 years, a once-popular Michigan ski resort is on the cusp of returning. says it is in the middle of a final fundraising push to revive Sugar Loaf. The property, about 15 miles northwest of Traverse City, included a lodge, a golf course and an airstrip. The resort closed in 2000 and was in 2020 who funded the cleanup of the hotel and ski infrastructure. Sign up for the News 8 daily newsletter According to Leelanau Conservancy, the owner plans to donate the property to the nonprofit if it can raise the final $1.6 million to finish the restoration. 'This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to restore a place that holds deep meaning for so many,' Leelanau Conservancy Executive Director Tom Nelson . 'We envision Sugar Loaf as a place where people of all ages and abilities can hike, bike, cross-country ski, play and reconnect with nature — where conservation and community come together on the mountaintop.' Ross Satterwhite, a representative for the anonymous owner, says the goal has always been to preserve Sugar Loaf. 'Ownership feels this land should belong to the community. Its goal has always been to see Sugar Loaf preserved and reopened to the public, not developed,' Satterwhite stated. 'By placing it in the capable hands of the Leelanau Conservancy, and through the support of its members and the community at large, ownership can ensure that future generations will enjoy Sugar Loaf's recreation and cherish its views forever.' The renovated property will include a publicly accessible trail network for hiking, biking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, along with a summit pavilion to take in the scenery, a sledding hill, a natural playground and an outdoor gathering space. The conservancy says the work is also being done with the local ecosystem in mind, protecting native species and the Good Harbor Bay watershed. EGLE opens public comment on Line 5 tunnel project The nonprofit has already raised $6.4 million toward the final renovations but is putting out the call to the public to truly make Sugar Loaf a community space. 'More than a memory, Sugar Loaf will be a living legacy of conservation and recreation for everyone, forever,' Leelanau Conservancy stated. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Oakland Mall temporarily closes after suspected burst pipe causes flooding
Oakland Mall in Troy was forced to close on Wednesday, July 16, after a suspected burst pipe caused flooding inside the building and in parts of the parking lot. Water flooded several main walkways Wednesday afternoon, prompting officials to shut down the mall 'for the safety and security of our tenants and guests,' according to a statement posted on the mall's Facebook page. Mall management said they are working with officials to assess the damage. More: EGLE: Oakland County violating environmental laws with sewage overflows More: As thundershowers strike, flash flood warnings issued for Oakland and Macomb counties 'We appreciate the community's patience and understanding as we work to resolve the issue,' according to the statement. It's unclear when the mall will reopen. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Oakland Mall shut down after flooding in walkways, parking lot
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
EGLE: Oakland County violating environmental laws with sewage overflows
Oakland County's combined sewage and stormwater overflows are violating state environmental laws, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy found. And the county must take immediate action and faces potential fines and other costs. Oakland County's sewage overflows in significant rain events are a longstanding point of contention with its downstream neighbor, Macomb County, where officials say they bear the brunt of the environmental impact. Oakland County's George W. Kuhn Drainage District Dequindre Interceptor Overflow Structure, a retention basin, during times of heavy rain can discharge untreated or partially treated sewage into the Red Run Drain, a major stormwater canal in Oakland and Macomb counties that flows to the Clinton River and eventually to Lake St. Clair. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy on June 27 notified Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner Jim Nash that the county has "failed to correct the occurrence of sanitary sewer overflows" from its Dequindre Interceptor. EGLE, in its enforcement notice, cited two particular overflow incidents as violations: An April 3 event in which the Oakland County facility "discharged 1.18 million gallons of untreated or partially treated sewage." An Aug. 24, 2023, incident in which 2.2 million gallons of "untreated or partially treated sewage" were discharged. "The discharge of untreated or partially treated sewage from a sewer system onto land or into the waters of the state is a violation of Part 31" of the Michigan Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, which aims to protect the quality of Michigan's surface and groundwater and regulates wastewater disposal, stated Laura Verona, supervisor of the Warren District Office of EGLE's Water Resources Division. The notice states that Oakland County was previously notified of the need to address the sewage overflows in violation notices issued on Sept. 21, 2023, and April 29, 2025. EGLE is calling on Oakland County "to immediately undertake all actions necessary to resolve all violations identified." Among EGLE's requests is that Oakland County review hydraulic models of its sewer system to identify areas of high inflow, model how operational changes would modify flow distributions, and provide a plan to evaluate interactions between the Great Lakes Water Authority system and the Kuhn facility "to identify opportunities for improvement in either or both systems to eliminate these SSOs (sanitary sewer overflows)." EGLE proposes an administrative consent order to formally resolve the violations that would include "a compliance program and applicable fines or penalties to resolve the aforementioned violations." Verona further stated that the EGLE Water Resources Division reserves the right "to take all necessary and appropriate enforcement actions for all violations," including "seeking civil fines, injunctive relief, natural resources damages, and all costs associated with this enforcement action, including attorney costs and any other relief available to the (division)." Macomb's Miller expresses vindication of longstanding concerns Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller has for years been very vocal on how Oakland County's inadequate sanitary sewer infrastructure and the resulting overflows have fouled Macomb County's waterways, including Lake St. Clair. She sounded a note of vindication with news of EGLE's latest enforcement action. "We are applauding EGLE for taking this punitive action against Oakland County for continued violations of state law prohibiting the discharge of raw sewage that threatens public health and the environment," Miller said. "What's crystal clear today is that the state is not satisfied with Oakland County's actions for years of repeated sanitary sewer overflows and is ratcheting up the pressure by forcing Oakland to take meaningful steps to prevent further illegal discharges — and rightfully so." Miller said EGLE's Water Resources Division for years failed to correct Oakland County's repeated discharges, but "obviously their plan to fix their serious problem of dumping on a neighboring county was rejected by the state, leading to this stepped-up enforcement action." Oakland's Nash: Miller 'playing politics' A statement issued Monday, July 14, from the Oakland County Water Commissioner's Office noted Nash has strongly advocated with EGLE that a regional solution must be pursued to alleviate the incidents that occur as a consequence of southeast Michigan's topography during increasingly frequent large rain events. "In fact, the Dequindre Interceptor is working as it should," Oakland County officials stated. "Without this regional approach, Oakland County, Macomb County and southeast Michigan will continue to be faced with the prospect of sewage overflows and basement backups due to extremely heavy rainfall." The office then turned its attention to Miller. "Macomb County's Public Works Commissioner is trying to create controversy where there is none — choosing to play politics and cast blame on Oakland County instead of working with the Great Lakes Water Authority on a regional solution that protects all communities in Southeast Michigan," they stated. "While it may now be politically convenient to Commissioner Miller's inflammatory approach, the fact remains that in December 2023, after the region experienced a particularly bad rain event in April, she co-signed a letter with Commissioner Nash to seek that regional solution with the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA). She has since turned her back on that, apparently, and would rather target Oakland County with inaccurate press releases to the media than come to the table and work on the regional solution she herself endorsed. That is not effective local government." Nash's office stated they will meet with EGLE officials over the enforcement notice later in July and will discuss "the issues with large rain events, the current system for handling them, and the urgent need for a regional solution that protects Southeast Michigan." Contact Keith Matheny: kmatheny@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: EGLE: Oakland County violating environmental laws with sewage overflows Solve the daily Crossword
Newsweek
14-07-2025
- Climate
- Newsweek
Alert Urging People To Monitor Themselves for Coughs Returns in One State
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A statewide Air Quality Alert was issued for Michigan through Monday cautioning residents across the state about elevated levels of fine particulate matter caused by continuing wildfire smoke from Canada. The alert impacts regions ranging from the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula to the southernmost counties, including major cities such as Detroit, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and Traverse City. Residents were advised to monitor for key symptoms including coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, dizziness, and burning sensations in the nose, throat, and eyes as smoke continued to spread across the state. Why It Matters The alert, issued by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, signaled a renewed public health concern for millions of Michiganders as the Air Quality Index (AQI) reached levels considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, depicted by an orange color, and unhealthy, depicted by red, in many northern and central areas. Wildfire smoke contains fine particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs, posing heightened risks to vulnerable populations—including children, seniors, and individuals with preexisting respiratory or heart conditions. According to state health officials, widespread exposure to PM2.5 can exacerbate existing diseases and bring about acute respiratory symptoms, even in healthy individuals. A jogger runs along the shoreline of Lake Michigan with heavy smoke from the Canadian wildfires in the background, on June 27, 2023, in Chicago, Illinois. A jogger runs along the shoreline of Lake Michigan with heavy smoke from the Canadian wildfires in the background, on June 27, 2023, in Chicago, Illinois. KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/Getty What to Know Both EGLE and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality reported that increased fine particulate levels from persistent Canadian wildfire smoke were observed Sunday morning in the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula. Forecasts indicated continued movement of smoke east and south through the state as the day progressed, with additional plumes expected throughout Monday. Northern regions faced periods of unhealthy AQI readings, while central counties saw levels fluctuating for sensitive groups. Southern locations were advised that air quality could range from unhealthy to moderate for sensitive groups. State agencies recommended that all residents, particularly those with preexisting heart or respiratory disease such as asthma, avoid strenuous outdoor activities during the alert. Officials outlined several symptoms for residents and their families to monitor, including: Coughing Wheezing Chest tightness Dizziness Burning in the nose, throat, or eyes A 2023 study from University of Washington Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences alumna found that there was an increased risk of emergency room visits with respiratory symptoms five days after a wildfire smoke event. Wildfire smoke events also increased the number of emergency room visits with cardiovascular symptoms. Air quality alerts urging people across Michigan to monitor themselves for symptoms such as coughs have been issued throughout the summer. When reached for comment, a spokesperson with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services told Newsweek the department did not yet have data about smoke-related hospital visits but will have more information later in the week. The public was further advised to reduce activities that could worsen air pollution, such as outdoor burning and use of wood-burning devices. Residents were directed to keep windows closed overnight to prevent smoke infiltration and, if available, to run central air conditioning systems equipped with MERV-13 or higher-rated filters. Air quality alerts also were issued in Minnesota, Wisconsin and New York. What People Are Saying The University of Washington study's lead author Annie Doubleday said in a report about the study: "For me the takeaway is we're all at risk of health impacts. Obviously some more than others, such as those with preexisting respiratory or cardiovascular conditions, but we all should be taking steps to reduce exposure and watching for any symptoms." Air quality alert issued in Michigan: "It is recommended that, when possible, you avoid strenuous outdoor activities, especially those with heart disease and respiratory diseases like asthma. Monitor for symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, dizziness, or burning in nose, throat, and eyes." What Happens Next The statewide Air Quality Alert will remain in effect through the end of Monday, with officials set to reassess and update advisories as atmospheric and pollution conditions evolve. Residents were strongly encouraged to monitor local air quality forecasts, take recommended health precautions, and seek up-to-date information through official state and federal online resources. Similar alerts may be reissued if wildfire smoke continues to impact Michigan or neighboring states in the coming days.
