ELK RAPIDS -- Locals are fond of touting this little, lakeshore village in western Antrim County as an eco-friendly community.
Elk Rapids officials plan a new free program called GreenER Day, with the inaugural event on Monday. It's designed to be a clearinghouse for information about all things environmental, from green energy concepts for homeowners to water quality improvement efforts for entire towns.
"One of the reasons we talked about doing this is we wanted to brag a little bit about how well the village takes care of the environment," said Dan Reszka, village president. "I think we just have a community that's interested in the environment."
And there are plenty of examples in Elk Rapids, he said.
There's a long-term recycling program that will be expanded June 1, chipped brush for residents to use as mulch, composted leaves for community gardens, more than $80,000 worth of light-emitting diodes for street lights and a "green" harbor, Reszka said.
And that's just a taste.
John Nelson, Grand Traverse Baykeeper, will speak at the event about upgrades at the local wastewater treatment plant, plus possible stormwater runoff improvements to reduce sediment, litter, oil and grease from rainwater that flows into area waters. Those concepts are in line with the Grand Traverse Bay watershed protection plan, he said.
"They are in the process of upgrading and perhaps expanding the wastewater treatment plant," Nelson said, adding he hopes improvements help minimize phosphorous in the plant's discharge.
Additionally, Elk Rapids could follow the lead of Traverse City to upgrade stormwater outfalls, he said.
Farmland preservation efforts in the growing region will be detailed by Megan Olds, associate director of the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy.
"We really want to feature the uniqueness of this community. We're presenting tools for people to adopt, especially in their own backyards," she said.
More than a dozen area agencies and businesses will have environment-related displays Monday from 12:30 to 6 p.m. at the governmental center, 315 Bridge St., in Elk Rapids. Presentations by area agency representatives and environmentalists will follow, wrapped up by an open forum for "environmental brainstorming," Reszka said.
