Hertel Continues Push to Protect Lake St. Clair, Address Growing Muck Problem 

After joining constituents to tour Lake St. Clair muck, Hertel fights for resources during the state budget process to support long-term solutions 

 

LANSING, Mich. (May 14, 2025) — After securing nearly $100 million for critical water infrastructure projects during his time in the Legislature, Sen. Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores) is continuing the push to protect Lake St. Clair. During ongoing negotiations for the 2026 State Budget, Sen. Hertel is advocating to bring resources back to Macomb County to study the muck growing on the shoreline of the lake, disrupting the lives of local residents, business owners, and wildlife. 

 

Having the honor of representing District 12, which spans the entire United States coastline of Lake St. Clair, Sen. Hertel recognizes how important clean water is and its impact on the health of our community and economy. Lake St. Clair provides drinking water to 4 million people, supports 18,000 jobs, and contributes $1.6 billion in economic activity annually. However, the growing presence of muck, also known as Microseira wollei, poses human health and ecological risks, as well as a threat to the region’s “blue economy.” 

 

“Lake St. Clair is at the heart of our community and it’s the basis for our economy,” said Sen. Hertel. “The exponential growth of muck along the shoreline is not simply an eyesore — it’s having a real impact on the families and small businesses who depend on the lake. After a two-year study into what this muck is, it’s time to turn that knowledge into action and begin cleaning up our waterfront. This funding I’m fighting for in Lansing will help deliver much-needed tools to our community so we can rid our water of this debris and ensure Lake St. Clair remains a place we can all enjoy — now and for generations to come.” 

 

Following a community conversation in Harrison Township last week where constituents raised concerns of the muck, Sen. Hertel joined them to tour an affected area of the lake where the mat-forming algae is dragging down property values and making it impossible for residents to enjoy recreational opportunities such as boating. During the tour, Sen. Hertel shared similar worries and discussed the work he’s doing at the state level to address the problem head-on. 

On Monday, May 12, Sen. Kevin Hertel joined constituents in Harrison Township to tour the growing muck problem and discuss work that is underway to protect Lake St. Clair. 

 

This week, the Michigan Senate passed their budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year. Included is a placeholder for Macomb County to conduct a three-year field trial to test strategies to manage and remove the muck. This request, informed by the results of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ research study, came to Sen. Hertel from Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller’s office. 

 

“Macomb County has taken this as far as we can. State government needs to engage on this issue because Lake St. Clair is so vital economically and to the quality of life in Michigan,” said Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Candice S. Miller. “Cleanup of the muck from the shore and finding ways to eradicate it out in the lake are still to be determined. We are very appreciative that Senator Hertel is pushing the Legislature for funding to develop and implement those strategies, and we’re hoping that legislators will respond favorably.” 

 

As budget negotiations continue between both chambers of the Legislature and the governor’s office, Sen. Hertel remains committed to bringing back the resources needed to find a long-term solution to this urgent and emerging threat to Lake St. Clair. 

 

This effort grows on years of work Sen. Hertel has done to secure state funding for targeted, transformational projects to build up the region’s aging water infrastructure, reduce the pollutants flowing into the lake, and protect local waterways. Among the many investments was a $72 million appropriation to construct additional system storage at Chapaton Retention Basin to reduce sewer overflows into Lake St. Clair by 40%. Other investments Sen. Hertel has secured to improve clean water infrastructure include: 

 

 

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