Flammable tap water and water contamination are thoughts that come to mind when hydraulic fracturing — more commonly known as “fracking” — is mentioned, yet claims suggesting such negative consequences of the process have yet to be substantiated. In reality, when it comes to fracking, there are facts and misinformation, risks and benefits — all of which lead to a very controversial issue that has taken the national stage among academics, environmentalists, the energy industry, [...]

When the Oakland County Health Division’s 2012 beach monitoring program wrapped up earlier this year, there were a few more county beaches closed and for a slightly longer total of time when compared to figures from the 2011 program. This year, the Health Division monitored 45 public beaches on 37 Oakland County lakes for potentially unsafe levels of bacteria in beach water. The annual beach monitoring program began on June 4 and ended on July [...]

Aquatic invasive species continue to be introduced in Michigan’s waterways at an alarming rate. At the same time, both wildlife and human activity spread the invaders from infested waters to previously uninfested locales, which can pose problems for native wildlife and people who use lakes and streams for recreation. Since early detection and monitoring of invasive species are critical to devising and implementing successful response and management efforts, the Michigan Natural Features Inventory and the [...]

Surrounded by the Great Lakes and home to thousands of inland lakes, it’s not surprising that Michigan is in the top ten states for its number of stolen watercraft, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s (NCIB) annual U.S. Watercraft Thefts and Recoveries report for 2011 that was released in July. The NICB describes itself as the nation’s leading not-for-profit organization dedicated to “preventing, detecting, and defeating insurance fraud and vehicle theft through data analytics, [...]

Mute swans are once again a topic of heated debate in Oakland County. Controversy is not new to the debate, one that has featured many disputed questions over the years: Native or non-native? Aggressive or peaceful? Beauty or beast? To be killed or not to be killed? Now a national organization is jumping into the fray at the behest of a county resident who hopes to bring an end to efforts to drastically reduce Michigan’s [...]

It’s been a mild winter and a hot summer with very little precipitation during both, and long-range forecasts from the National Weather Service in White Lake Township seem to predict that we will not see a change anytime soon. That scenario doesn’t bode well for Oakland County lake levels — which in some cases are already low — and those who use the county’s lakes. “From August into September we are looking to be above [...]

Invasive species can be sneaky. Not all of them are as blatantly problematic like the prolific, 100-pound, ridiculously high jumping Asian carp. Invaders can spread quietly, blending into the natural environment by resembling other native specimens or can look like a harmless, pretty flower. Flowering rush (Butomus umbellatus) is one such aquatic invasive species and is difficult to spot. In fact, if it’s not in flower, recognition becomes very difficult because flowering rush closely resembles [...]

Just a little over a year and a half after Gov. Rick Snyder made his first appointments to the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Department of Agriculture and Rural Development director positions, he has once again had to decide who should be running both departments. Of course, that’s only because Snyder recently tapped DNR Director Rodney Stokes to become the administration’s special adviser for city placemaking, prompting a shuffling of positions within the [...]

The 13th annual Quake on the Lake promises to be bigger and better than ever, with world-class hydroplane boat racing and a strong lineup of entertainment and activities planned. This year’s event, which will be held from Friday, July 20 through Sunday, July 22, will serve as the first American Power Boat Association (APBA) World Championship series event ever held in Michigan. The races will be held on Waterford and White Lake townships’ Pontiac Lake [...]

An Arkansas man was charged in June by state Attorney General Bill Schuette with 12 felony counts of possessing and selling live Asian carp in violation of a state law protecting against the spread of invasive species. David Costner, 42, allegedly possessed, transported and sold 110 grass carp that were housed in tanks in a semi-truck furnished by parent company Farley’s Arkansas Pondstockers. Costner was charged with 10 counts of possession of an illegal species, [...]