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The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) together with the Genesee County Health Department (GCHD) today issued a new draft toolkit to aid building managers in identifying areas in their buildings where Legionella might grow or spread and how to reduce that risk. The toolkit, developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is being distributed to local health departments statewide to share with building managers whose buildings are identified as being at increased risk for Legionella.

Congressman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, today led a congressional hearing on the Flint Water Crisis, and how we can move forward. The hearing, “Flint Water Crisis: Impacts and Lessons Learned,” was held before the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy and the Subcommittee on Health.

Results from recent Sentinel Site and at-large residential water testing show the city of Flint water distribution system is improving but some instability still exists and the system is not yet meeting standards for lead service lines, Gov. Rick Snyder said today

Results from recent Sentinel Site and at-large residential water testing show the city of Flint water distribution system is improving but some instability still exists and the system is not yet meeting standards for lead service lines, Gov. Rick Snyder said today.

The public is invited to participate in a public open house to help determine future improvements within the downtown Kalamazoo Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study area, which includes segments of Stadium Drive, Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo Avenue, Michikal Street, Riverview Drive, and Douglas Avenue.

With the opening of three new distribution centers in Flint neighborhoods, residents have additional access to clean water resources. The new distribution centers in Wards 1, 3, and 6 will provide bottled water, filters and water testing kits.

A recent review of test results by state, federal and independent water quality experts shows the water quality in Flint is improving. In addition, the protective coating is being restored to Flint’s pipes, which is an important measure needed to provide quality water until lead pipes can be replaced.

Private landowners interested in helping to maintain or improve Upper Peninsula deer wintering habitat can learn more about the subject and cost-share programs available to aid in those efforts at either of two meetings the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has scheduled for this month.

The Michigan Civil Rights Commission (the Commission) today announced the first public hearing on claims of discrimination and racial bias in the Flint water crisis will be held on Thursday, April 28, 2:30 pm, at the Riverfront Banquet Center, 1 Riverfront Center West in Flint, Michigan.

Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05) today reiterated his “great concern” over the safety of drinking water in Oscoda after recent positive test results for perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs), a contaminant that may pose a significant health risk to humans, in the groundwater near Wurtsmith Air Force Base. Visiting Oscoda today to meet with local officials, Congressman Kildee called on both the state of Michigan and the Air Force, to provide clean drinking water for residents until the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency releases new provisional health advisory (PHA) levels, additional testing is completed and the water is deemed safe

Additional locations for bottled water, filters opening in neighborhoods April 12. Flint residents will have improved access to clean water resources as new distribution sites are established in city neighborhoods to provide bottled water, filters and testing kits.

More opportunities for quality outdoor recreation will be available from $28 million in Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grants under legislation signed today by Gov. Rick Snyder.

A $74.5 million plan by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority to help homeowners statewide avoid foreclosure and eliminate blight in Detroit and Flint has been approved by the U.S. Department of Treasury under its Hardest Hit Fund program, Gov. Rick Snyder announced today.

The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a National Dislocated Worker Grant for up to $15 million to the Michigan Strategic Fund to assist with humanitarian and recovery efforts resulting from the contaminated water crisis in Flint, Michigan. Of the $15 million announced today, $7.5 million will be released initially to provide temporary employment for eligible individuals to assist with the recovery work, as well as to offer these individuals career and training services to help them find permanent work. Additional funding, up to the amount approved, will be made available as the state demonstrates a continued need for assistance

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette has issued formal notice to the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Governors' and Premiers' Regional Body and the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Resources Council to voice his concerns regarding the city of Waukesha, Wisconsin’s request to divert 10.1 million gallons of water per day from the Great Lakes basin