Rouge Rundown – March 6, 2024 Time to Paddle! | The Erie Situation | Earth Day Fun | Save Fellows Creek | Spring Plants & More!
March 6, 2024 ROUGE RUNDOWN
Public Hearing April 4 for Proposed Salem Township WWTP: Make Your Voice Count
The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), Water Resources Division (WRD) will hold a public hearing and information session regarding the proposed New Use NPDES Permit No. MI0060338 to Salem Township.
April 4th 6 PM: Public Information Session
April 4th 7 PM: Public Hearing to seek additional public input
Location: Northridge Church at 49555 North Territorial Road, Plymouth, MI 48170
The Salem Township Urban Service District Wastewater Treatment Plant is to be located at the southwest corner of Napier Road and M-14, Salem, MI 48175 in Washtenaw County. In building this plant, Salem Township proposes to dump 840,000 gallons/day of effluent into the headwaters of Fellows Creek, a healthy headwater stream that flows into the Lower Rouge.
Concerned residents are encouraged to attend the hearing, submit comments or contact Tom Braun at BraumT2@michigan.gov or 517-331-7377.
You are Invited: Free Film Series at The Penn Theater in Plymouth!
Mark your calendars! You are invited to join Plastics Oceans and Friends at the Rouge for a special film series in honor of World Water Day at Plymouth’s historic Penn Theater.
Thursday, March 21, 7pm: The Erie Situation – followed by a post-screening discussion
Friday, March 22, 7pm: Wall-E
Saturday, March 23, 7pm:Wall-E
Sunday, March 24, 5pm:Wall-E
Friends of the Rouge will be present for every screening of this special free series. See you at the movies!
Join your Friends for a self-return paddle trip from Ford Field Park celebrate the end of Winter! The event is Saturday March 23 from 9:30 AM to 12 PM. Paddlers have the option to rent a canoe or kayak or bring their own boat. Please note, fees are due in advance for all attendees. Register today!
New to paddling? While this event is for experienced paddlers, future events will be a great opportunity for you to experience a rouge trip for the first time! Visit the link below for more information about upcoming Water Trail Events.
Rain Garden Education with FOTR at the Novi Home & Garden Show!
April is Lawn and Garden Month – a great time to plan what you want your yard to look like this spring and how your yard can help your Rouge River! Looking for ideas? Friends of the Rouge will be at the at the Garden Stage on Friday, April 5th at 5pm at the Novi Home and Garden Show at the Suburban Collection Showplace to educate community members all about rain gardens!
Come learn all you need to know about managing stormwater on your property with the power of native plants.
Do more in 2024 for our Earth! Even though Earth Day is one day (April 22), there are events all week for you to learn about, connect with, and celebrate nature all around you.
Fri. April 19
Noon to 1pm: Level Up Your Yard webinar
Sat. April 20
9am to noon: Earth Day Cleanup at Fort St Bridge Park
10am to 2pm: Earth Day at PARC
10am to 3pm: Spring Bug Hunt
Mon. April 22
7 to 8pm: Southfield Rain Gardens 101 (in-person and virtual)
Do you have Spring fever? The Rouge Store is ready for you! Select and pre-order native plants, rain barrels, composters, and more for pick-up on Saturday May 18 at Canton DPW! SPRING into action now for garden products and services and do more for you, your yard, and your Rouge River in 2024!
FOTR members: don’t forget to use your discount code at checkout for 10% off! Not a member yet? Join today!
Not sure if you’re a member? Contact Lara – ledwards@therouge.org
Frog & Toad Survey Training Attracts over Eighty Amphibian Friends!
For the first time in four years, the annual Rouge River Frog & Toad Survey was held in person for an enthusiastic crowd at the Livonia Public Library. The survey, in its 26th year, gives community members first-hand experience with local wildlife. Data collected by caring volunteer surveyors is used to map the distribution of these sensitive creatures whose presence reflects the health of your wetlands.
A big thank you to the City of Livonia, Kathy Ableson who introduced Froggyvoice, Sue Thompson who showed volunteers how to identify illegal discharges, veteran volunteers Dondra Haesler-Elie and Jennifer Chinn who shared their experience and advice, and all eighty-one volunteers who attended!
For those who missed the workshop, you can still sign up if you are willing to self-train. Volunteers have already reported Midland chorus frogs and spring peepers calling this year!
Visit Fort Street Bridge Park to see the Rouge and Remember our History
FOTR Board Member and UM Sociology Professor Paul Draus has been instrumental in bringing the community together to develop the Fort Street Bridge Park on the Rouge River, keeping the fight for sustainability and environmental justice alive in the watershed. Learn more about this project by reading a recent article about it.
