Huron Pines Conducts an Alpena Stormwater Assessment
The Alpena Stormwater Assessment conducted by Huron Pines mapped out areas in Alpena that storm water flows. With those areas, they determined where they could try to reduce some of the risks of that runoff.
“We looked at estimated pollutant loadings and volumes of storm water, and it helped us assess where we could implement future green storm water projects,” said Amy Nowakowski, Coastal Project Manager with Huron Pines.
The projects they are hoping to begin will stop harmful pollutants from entering the water and instead catch them before they can. They mapped out eight locations throughout Alpena, including Mich–E–Kewis beach, Bay View Park, River Street, and the Center Alley.
“If we can instead filter it into the ground in a green infrastructure, more of a nature based solution, any potential pollutant in the storm water runoff will be filtered through the sand and the gravel first,” said Nowakowski.
Huron Pines held an in person survey at the Alpena County Library, partnered with the city and Drummond Carpenter, and asked the community what they wanted from their water. They received lots of positive feedback.
“People in the community care about the water, whether it’s for drinking water or recreation or the beautiful place that we live, and people really care about keeping it clean,” said Nowakowski.
They will submit a formal request to city council to begin working on their projects. If they’re approved, they will begin working on them later this summer and into the fall.
