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.
Just recently, I had the pleasure of taking my son to his first Nautical Coast Cleanup, and it was great to see so many other parents bring their kids along too! There was no better way to spend a Sunday morning than by making memories together while cleaning up the lake we both love.
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 emailing SenKHertel@senate.michigan.gov, calling our Lansing office at (517) 373-7315, or calling our district office at (586) 252-2157.
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 13th and 14th, 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 upcoming Coffee Hour event on June 12th at 10:00 a.m. at the Pink House Tea Room in New Baltimore. RSVP here.
Nearly $100 Million Secured to Build Up Our 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 on a bipartisan basis to bring nearly $100 million back to the region to reduce combined sewer overflows, proactively address aging infrastructure, and protect local waterways. Read more about a few of these projects below!
Decreasing Sewer Overflows by 80%
Currently during heavy rain events, our infrastructure cannot handle all of the stormwater we receive. As a result, we have been discharging combined sewer overflows, or CSOs, into Lake St. Clair. CSOs may include wastewater from residential and commercial spaces, rainwater runoff, or snowmelt — and when discharged into the lake, they contribute to the production of harmful algae blooms that threaten the health of the lake.
That’s why I worked with Macomb County Works Commissioner Candice Miller to secure $72 million to construct additional system storage at the Chapaton Retention Basin in St. Clair Shores. Together with other investments in the Martin Drain District and throughout the county, we’re on track to decrease our CSOs by as much as 80%. You can read more about this investment here.
Now that we’ve cleaned up our house, it’s time for us to look at Oakland County and pressure them to follow our lead and invest in their aging infrastructure. For too long, they have taken the easy way out — choosing to deliberately dump their raw sewage into Lake St. Clair rather than address their structural deficiencies. Together with Commissioner Miller and other local leaders, we’ve been successful in finally getting the Dept. of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to hold them accountable. Now, I’m working with my Oakland County colleagues to secure funding for them to build up their infrastructure.
Combatting the Muck
The exponential growth of muck along the shoreline of Lake St. Clair 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. That’s why I fought to include funding in last year’s state budget for Macomb County to test strategies to manage and remove the muck.
Given Lake St. Clair’s annual generation of more than $1.6 billion in economic activity and support for more than 18,000 jobs, this $800,000 appropriation is a modest investment when compared to the economic and ecological value of the lake.
Read more about this investment here.
Bolstering Our Water Monitoring Efforts
Access to clean water is not just a priority, it’s a necessity for the over four million people who depend on Lake St. Clair as their source of drinking water. To ensure families can count on the water coming out of their faucet at home, I worked to secure $1.5 million in the 2025 state budget for the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments’ (SEMCOG) water monitoring program.
The program includes 14 community water intakes along the Huron-to-Erie corridor, giving them access to a variety of monitors, data logging, and modern technology. With these resources, communities from Algonac and New Baltimore to Mount Clemens and Grosse Pointe are better equipped to protect people’s health from the harmful impact of potential spills and discharges into the lake. Read more here.
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.
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.
2026 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.
Mark Your Calendar: Free Fishing Weekend Coming Up!
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 13 and 14.
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:
Walk with Team Hertel in the St. Clair Shores Memorial Day Parade
WHEN: Sunday, May 24 at 11:30 a.m.
WHERE: St. Clair Shores Civic Arena (Participant Parking), 20000 Stephens, St. Clair Shores, MI 48080
Lace up your walking shoes and join Team Hertel for the 73rd Annual St. Clair Shores Memorial Day Parade! Please RSVP here and our team will reach out with additional details as they become available.
Coffee and Conversation with Sen. Kevin Hertel
WHEN: Friday, June 12th from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
WHERE: Pink House Tea Room, 36341 Front St., New Baltimore, MI 48047
Community Office Hours with Team Hertel
Weekly Office Hours in St. Clair Shores
WHEN: Every Thursday from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. and by appointment.
WHERE: District Office, 22424 Greater Mack Ave., Saint Clair Shores, MI 48080
Mount Clemens Office Hours
WHEN: Tuesday, June 2, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
WHERE: Mount Clemens Public Library, 150 Cass Ave., Mount Clemens, MI 48043
Harper Woods Office Hours
WHEN: Tuesday, June 9, from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
WHERE: Harper Woods Public Library, 19601 Harper Ave., Harper Woods, MI 48225
New Baltimore Office Hours
WHEN: Tuesday, June 16, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
WHERE: MacDonald Public Library, 36480 Main St., New Baltimore, MI 48047
Algonac Office Hours
WHEN: Tuesday, June 23, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
WHERE: Algonac Public Library, 2011 St Clair River Dr., Algonac, MI 48001
Please note that these office hours are hosted by staff.
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.