💦 Protecting Lake St. Clair

Dear Neighbor,  

From Grosse Pointe to Harsens Island — Lake St. Clair is what binds each and every one of our communities together. As coastal residents, we know the importance of clean water. Not only do we depend on the lake for drinking water, but also for the economic development it drives and the recreational benefits it provides.   

The lake is also a source of memories, both old and new. Growing up in Grosse Pointe, my father would take my siblings and me fishing on Lake St. Clair during the summertime. Now, I enjoy keeping that tradition alive with my two sons, and I know many across our community look forward to making new memories with their families too. 

Because of this, representing our lakeshore district is a responsibility I take seriously. As we see an increasing number of extreme weather events that strain our aging infrastructure’s capabilities and send pollution into the water, it’s important for all of us — residents, local leaders, legislators — to work together to ensure the health of Lake St. Clair is protected for generations to come.  

In this special edition newsletter, I am excited to share some legislation and budget wins that will equip our state and local communities to improve our water infrastructure and protect one of our most important natural resources. Additionally, as boating and fishing season kicks into full swing, I have included some resources to help you navigate the waters legally and safely.   

As always, I’d love to hear from you about proactive ways we can work together to protect our unmatched water resources. Please feel free to reach out to my office to share your perspective on this or any issue — we are here to serve you. You can reach my office by calling (517) 373-7315 or emailing SenKHertel@senate.michigan.gov.   

Whether out on the water or at a coffee hour in the district, I hope to connect with you soon!  

Sincerely, 

Kevin Hertel 
State Senator 
District 12 

• Over the last few years, I’ve worked with local and state leaders to secure nearly $100 million to improve our community’s clean water infrastructure and protect Lake St. Clair.  
• Michigan’s Free Fishing Weekend is coming up! On June 7th and 8th, fishing license fees will be waived, and all residents and out-of-state visitors may enjoy fishing on both inland and Great Lakes waters for all species of fish — free of charge. 
• Join me for my Coffee and Conversation event tomorrow, May 9th at 12:00 p.m. at the Tucker Senior Center (26980 Ballard St., Harrison Township). RSVP here. 

Investments in Clean Water Infrastructure 

Water is essential to our identity and way of life in our lakeshore community. As I mentioned before, Lake St. Clair is a vital source of drinking water, economic prosperity, and recreational opportunities.   

Unfortunately though, our state’s water infrastructure is outdated, poorly rated, and in need of repair. As a result, communities along the shoreline have experienced a slew of negative effects including basement flooding and beach closures.  

Throughout my time in State Legislature, I’ve been focused on driving targeted investments to our community to make much-needed improvements to our clean water infrastructure. Over the past several years, I’ve worked with local officials such as Macomb Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller to bring nearly $100 million back to the region to reduce combined sewer overflows, proactively address aging infrastructure, and protect local waterways. This funding includes:  

• $72 million for the Chapaton Retention Basin in St. Clair Shores to construct additional system storage that can be utilized during heavy rains, helping to reduce combined sewer overflows into Lake St. Clair by 40%. 
• $5 million for the Chesterfield Interceptor to proactively address aging infrastructure in order to avoid catastrophes like sinkholes. 
• $5 million for the St. Clair Shores Martin Drain District to address combined sewer overflows and prevent millions of gallons of wastewater from flowing into Lake St. Clair, which contributes to beach closures and harmful algae blooms. 
• $2 million for New Baltimore to repair the breakwalls at Walter and Mary Burke Park, helping protect the shoreline. 
• $2 million for Harsens Island to make critical updates to their batch wastewater treatment plant that will protect waterways, improve residents’ quality of life, and allow small businesses in the Sans Souci community to thrive. 
• $1.5 million for Mount Clemens to make much-needed updates to their aging sewage treatment infrastructure. 
• $1.5 million for a regional water monitoring program to improve the detection of potential contaminants in our water. 
• $1 million to repair seawalls in Grosse Pointe Shores, helping prevent flooding and deter shore erosion. 

Legislative Action to Preserve Our Water and Environment 

The health of our lakes and streams is intertwined with the overall health of our environment. As we continue to see an increasing number of severe weather events and extreme temperatures, my legislative colleagues and I have been working to pass innovative, evidence-based policies to combat the disastrous effects of climate change and preserve our state’s unmatched natural resources for generations to come.   

Among the positive environmental policies we passed was the Clean Energy Future package, which puts Michigan on a path toward achieving 100% clean energy statewide by 2040, while also improving long-term energy affordability and providing support for workers during the transition period. Complementing this work, my colleagues and I also repealed Michigan’s “no stricter than federal” law to reinstate the state’s ability to go beyond minimum federal standards to defend our natural resources, including lakes, rivers, and streams, from PFAS and other contaminants.   

Putting Pressure on Oakland County to Protect the Lake 

Last month, Oakland County dumped 1.2 million gallons of raw sewage — and another 820 million gallons of minimally treated sewage — into the Red Run Drain, which flows straight into Lake St. Clair. This isn’t a one-time mistake. It’s part of a reckless pattern: Oakland dumps nearly 2 billion gallons of sewage overflow into Macomb County waterways every year instead of fixing their failing infrastructure. 

Here in Macomb, we’ve stepped up. We secured nearly $100 million in state funding to modernize our water systems and protect Lake St. Clair. It’s time for Oakland County to do the same — no more excuses.   

That’s why I submitted a letter to the Michigan Dept. of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), demanding tougher, enforceable action against Oakland County. And we’re making progress! Just last week, EGLE’s Water Resources Division began to hold Oakland County accountable for the massive amounts of untreated sewage they’ve been discharging into the Red Run Drain. Finding them in violation of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, EGLE is requiring them to develop a plan to stop these dangerous sewage dumps and protect our water. Read more about this recent development here. 

Stay Safe While Boating 

Living in Michigan, you’re never far from a lake. If you are going out on a boat or personal watercraft to enjoy the Michigan summer or go fishing, then you are likely going to need a Boating Safety Certificate. Fortunately, they are widely available and easy to get.   

Boaters born on or after July 1, 1996, will need a boater education card or boating safety certificate. While it’s not required that all residents obtain the safety certificate, the Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources (MDNR) encourages it for all boaters. There are a few ways to earn your boating safety certificate:  

• Online: Take a boating safety class at BoatEd.com. After you finish the class, you must pay the course fee and pass the final exam to print off your permanent Michigan boating safety certificate.  
• Classroom/In-Person: The DNR’s Recreational Safety Education Class Database has in-person classes available throughout the year and across the state. The Boater Safety Education classes are a few hours long and you will get your boating safety certificate upon successful completion of the final exam. 
• Other Options: The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and U.S. Power Squadron provide fundamental and advanced boating safety classes for residents. Some of the classes will provide the knowledge required to obtain a boating safety certificate. Visit cgaux.org/BoatingEd for more information and to enroll.  

For more information on boating in Michigan visit Michigan.gov/Boating. 

Watercraft Registration Renewal  

Watercraft owners can now renew their registration at Michigan.gov/SOS or by visiting one of the 160 conveniently located self-service stations statewide. Watercraft registrations are renewed on a three-year cycle and expire on March 31 of the third year. All watercrafts must be registered, except for the following:  

• Watercrafts measuring 16 feet or less in length, propelled by oars or paddles, and that are used for personal use. 
• Nonmotorized canoes and kayaks for personal use.  
• Rafts, surfboards, sailboards, and swim floats, regardless of length.  
• Watercrafts registered in another state and only used temporarily in Michigan. 

2025 Fishing License 

Fishing is one of Michigan’s premier outdoor activities, and it’s fun for kids and adults alike. Whether you’ve been fishing your whole life or it’s your first time out, there’s much fun to be had with a rod and reel. You may not always catch a fish — but you will catch a new hobby and maybe even make it a regular recreational activity.   

Fishing licenses are affordable and can be bought at many stores or online at Michigan.gov/Fishing or Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses. Licenses can be purchased for the whole year for residents, nonresidents, seniors and even for daily fishing. These can even be combined with a hunting license to save money.  

When out on the water, it’s important that you carry your license and the state ID that you used to buy the license in case it’s requested by a Michigan Conservation Officer, a Tribal Conservation Officer or any law enforcement officer. If you have an electronic license, make sure you have access to it via a smartphone, tablet, or other device.   

There are several rules and regulations from the Michigan DNR to keep you, the animals, and our beautiful environment safe. They are available in the yearly fishing guide, which you can pick up at many stores around Michigan, or you can find online at Michigan.gov/Fishing. The fishing guide includes all the types of fish you can catch in Michigan, their seasonal schedule, how to spot some diseases in fish, how to fight back against invasive species, unlawful activities, dozens of definitions, and terminology, and so much more. 

DNR Free Fishing Weekend 

Two days twice a year, you can enjoy one of Michigan’s premier outdoor activities — fishing — for free courtesy of the Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR). This year, the DNR’s Summer Free Fishing Weekend falls on June 7 and 8.  

During these days, fishing license fees will be waived, and all residents and out-of-state visitors may enjoy fishing on both inland and Great Lakes waters for all species of fish. Additionally, individuals will not be required to show a recreation passport for entry into state parks or boating access sites during the Free Fishing Weekend. Please note that all fishing regulations will still apply.   

If you’re wanting to plan ahead for future Free Fishing Weekends — the winter weekend is always the Saturday and Sunday of President’s Day weekend and the summer weekend is always the Saturday and Sunday following the first full week of June. 

It is one of my top goals as your State Senator to have myself and my office be as accessible to you as possible. To share your thoughts on legislation or seek assistance with an issue, please join me at one of our upcoming district events:  

Coffee and Conversation in Harrison Township 
WHEN: Friday, May 9, from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. 
WHERE: Tucker Senior Center, 26980 Ballard St., Harrison Twp., MI 48045  

Happy Hour in St. Clair Shores 

WHEN: Monday, May 19 from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. 
WHERE: Copper Hop Brewing Company, 23401 Greater Mack Ave., St. Clair Shores, MI 48080 

If You Need Help 

If you have a problem dealing with any department of state government, such as accessing unemployment benefits, my office is available to help resolve it. While we usually cannot assist with local or federal issues, we will always do our best to help direct you to the appropriate person or organization for help.  

You may always feel free to email me at SenKHertel@senate.michigan.gov. You can also call our Lansing Office at (517) 373-7315 or our District Office at (586) 252-2157. 

Keep Up to Date 

Our bi-weekly newsletters are full of updates on what Team Hertel has been working on both in Lansing and District 12 to deliver results for Michiganders. To keep up to date with what we’ve been up to — sign up here to receive my bi-weekly newsletter, or access previous editions online here.  

For more frequent updates, I also encourage you to follow our team on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and BlueSky.