FAQs
Environmental Issues
A watershed is an area of land that drains into a common body of water. White Lake Township lies mostly within the Huron River Watershed with the exception of a few acres in the northeast portion of the Township that are tributary to the Clinton River.
Stormwater is generated by rainwater and snowmelt runoff from streets, parking lots, building rooftops, lawns, farms, construction sites, industrial sites and many other aspects of the landscape. This runoff picks up fertilizers, dirt, pesticides, oil and grease, and many other pollutants on the way to our rivers, lakes, and coastal waters. Stormwater runoff is our most common cause of water pollution.
Wetlands contribute to the national economy by producing resources and commodities along with other benefits. Because of the diversity of wetland types and locations, measuring all the benefits would be difficult. However, here are some reasons why wetlands are important:
- Wetlands are spawning and nursery ares, providing plant food for fish
- Wetlands improve our water quality, by removing toxic substances and sediment while filtering excess nutrients
- Wetlands help to control floods by storing water
- Wetlands provide recreational opportunities, such as hunting, fishing, bird watching and photography
Sediment is the great pollutant by volume impacting our lakes, streams and wetlands. Sediment is the product of uncontrolled erosion. Everyone in Michigan is impacted by erosion and off-site sedimentation. Erosion and sedimentation results in:
- Loss of fertile topsoil
- Filling of lakes and streams
- Increased flooding
- Damage to plant and animal life
- Structural damage to buildings and roads
