Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2011MI185B

Natural Resources Integrated Information System

Institute: Michigan
Year Established: 2011 Start Date: 2011-03-01 End Date: 2012-02-28
Total Federal Funds: $21,415 Total Non-Federal Funds: $43,339

Principal Investigators: Jon Bartholic

Project Summary: Problem, Methods and Research Objectives
To protect and restore the nations waters, federal and state agencies are increasingly utilizing a watershed approach to examine and address water resources problems. The overall goal of this approach is the restoration, maintenance and protection of water resources across the country. The Institute of Water Research at Michigan State University is also looking at water resources on a watershed basis and is working to develop programs and partnerships within a watershed framework. Because of our Institute's long-term position relative to national and state water programs, we function as a coordinator to assist with linkages, support education, research, and outreach with and among agencies in the broad water arena. Accordingly, we are in a unique position to facilitate watershed policy, planning, and management using a multi-disciplinary perspective. Our proposed efforts include three major thrusts. The first is the enhancement of integrated watershed systems including both surface and groundwater that can be used for analysis of various management options. The second is extended education where the internet and advanced computer systems as well as traditional conferences and training workshops are used to extend new knowledge to agencies, organizations, and local level watershed and land use groups. The third involves developing a networking infrastructure to facilitate cooperation among partners such as the USDA, Natural Resource Conservation Service, USEPA, Army Corp of Engineers, the Great Lakes Commission, state Departments of Natural Resources, Environmental Quality, and Agriculture, township associations and county organizations. As one of the leaders of the Midwest Spatial Decision Support System Partnership (MWSDSS) (http://www.epa.gov/waterspace/) we have extensive regional impact.