Page 13 - IAV Digital Magazine #458

'Goosebusters' CreditedWithHelpingKeepLakeSt. Clair MetroparkBeachPoop-FreeAndOpenThisSummer
iAV - Antelope Valley Digital Magazine
HARRISON TWP. (WWJ) - When goose poop is a problem at a local beach, who you gonna call?
Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller is crediting the "Goosebusters" with keeping Lake St. Clair Metropark beach clean and open for a majority of the season.
The popular
spot -- previously known as Metrobeach -- was closed a total of two days in Summer 2018, compared to 36 days in Summer 2017, officials said.
A major reason for the reduction, according to Miller, was likely the presence of the Goosebusters -- Border Collie dogs used to chase away Canada geese from the park.
When waste left by ducks, geese and other wildlife on the
beach gets into the water, high levels of e.coli bacteria can make it unsafe to swim. Cue the dogs, which were used for the first time at the park in 2018.
"We know that many factors impact water quality at the beach, but a huge one in recent years has been the exploding population of geese and the waste they leave behind. The use of the dogs on
the beach made a
huge impact not only in the reduc- tion of e. coli in the water, but also in the ability to use the park and beach with- out having to watch your step for the drop- pings," Miller said. "Great job to border collie Ellie and the other dogs that worked on our local beach!"
While summer does not officially end until Sept. 21, Labor Day weekend brought the unofficial end to the summer
season.
"It was a very hot summer this year and for local fami- lies to be able to use the beach anytime they wanted brought smiles to many local children, I am sure," Miller said. "Great job to border collie Ellie and the other dogs that worked on our local beach!"
It's important to note that -- although the "only two days"
stat was released by Miller
Thursday morning -- a check of the Michigan Department of Environmental beach
closures web- site showed that Lake St. Clair Metropark beach was closed Thursday after- noon. (Check the current
status here).
Looking ahead, Miller said her office is working with the beach's governing board, the Huron-Clinton Metropark Authority, and various federal,
state and local agencies on water quality issues, with an eye to preserve and protect the Great Lakes and enhance the local quality of life.
"HCMA is to be commended for bringing in the dogs this year and we look for- ward to their return next sum- mer. We are eager to continue to work with them on potential future projects that can further improve Southeast Michigan's pre- mier public beach," the com- missioner added.
Testing
by the DEQ is conducted period- ically at 1220 public beaches and 537 private beaches through- out the state. At the hight of e.coli issues this past June, two dozen beaches were closed statewide; four of them in the metro Detroit area.
iAV - Antelope Valley Digital Magazine