MCCC hosts author, advocate for Great Lakes water quality

Monroe County Community College recently hosted a presentation by an author and conservationist who wrote a book championing those who have fought to clean up the Great Lakes. One of those champions, a Monroe-area man, was in attendance and offered his thoughts as well.

Dr. John Hartig, a Fulbright scholar and current Visiting Scholar at the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research at the University of Windsor, offered a presentation at MCCC’s Campbell Academic Center based on his new book, “Great Lakes Champions.” The book highlights 14 heroes of Great Lakes watershed conservation and cleanup over the past several decades.

Earlier report:Richard Micka among Great Lakes cleanup champions featured in new book

Prior to discussing the champions that are featured in his book, Hartig explained some history of Great Lakes pollution, dating back to the late 1800s and post-Industrial Age port cities. He cited Buffalo, NY as a prime example of how pollution and lack of regulation nearly destroyed an entire ecosystem and economy.

Buffalo, due to its strategic geographic location at the east end of Lake Erie, was once the fourth-largest port city in the world, and it was known as the “Queen City of the Great Lakes.” The Buffalo River was once a focal point and main feature of the city, but over time, the river became so polluted that the ecosystem was devastated.

“By the 1950s and 60s, there were lots of industries there,” Hartig explained. “No fish were caught. No fish could live in there because of the pollution.”

In fact, the river was so polluted with oils and other industrial chemicals that it caught fire in 1968. However, Hartig explained that by that time, the Buffalo River had found its champion, a humble jeweler named Stanley Spisiak.

Hartig described how Spisiak had grown up around the Buffalo River and enjoyed what it brought to his community. When he saw the devastation that occurred following years of pollution, he decided to do something about it.

“He was a conservationist at heart, and he loved the outdoors,” Hartig said. “He was really affected by what was happening to his river.”

Spisiak reached out to various politicians and officials to push for regulations to stop waste from being dumped into the river and other Great Lakes Waters.

Spisiak’s efforts resulted in an executive order from President Lyndon Johnson that stopped dredging boats from dumping sediment and oils into Great Lakes waters. Today, the Buffalo River has recovered, is full of fish species, and has become a community centerpiece once again. Spisiak’s great niece, Jill Spisiak Jedlicka, who is another champion in Hartig’s book, has helped revitalize Buffalo waterways as well over the past two decades.

Hartig moved on to note another champion featured in his book, a local named Richard Micka of Monroe, who has worked to improve local wetlands and the River Raisin. Hartig then revealed that Micka and his wife, Jeanne, were in attendance.

Hartig introduced Micka and described how he played a large role in restorations that led to healthy marshlands at the Pointe Mouillee State Game Area. Micka, who currently serves as Chair of International Wildlife Refuge Alliance, came forward to speak, and he thanked Hartig and others who he has worked with over the years.

Micka described how he began discussing what to do with loads of sediment on the Great Lakes with the Army Corps of Engineers in 1972. The original plan was to dump dredged sediment into Point Mouillee’s waters. Micka said that after a 17-year fight, Micka and others convinced the Army Corps to shift their focus from economic development and gross domestic product to recovery efforts.

“That’s what changed this whole thing,” Micka said.

Hartig said he hopes that his stories about champions such as Spisiak, Micka, and others will inspire others to carry on the torch of Great Lakes conservation.

“You are the next generation. This is all about you.”

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: MCCC hosts author, advocate for Great Lakes water quality