Michigan Waterways Stewards - A Twelve Point Environmental Survey 

Released August 22, 2023. Survey Taking Period Closed September 3, 2023
PROJECT OVERVIEW
BACKGROUND.
​Complaints about electric scooters being tossed into in our rivers has been ongoing since they're being offered as an alternative transportation solution. But, it wasn’t until recently that we discovered the enormity of the problem.
Over a period of just five separate days, 139 electric scooters, 63 bicycles, and other evidence of campus and urban living hwas retrieved from East Lansing's Bogue Street Bridge. Of the 139 scooters, about 90% or 125, were thought to be Spin.

Only Spin knows how many more remain in our rivers flowing through the greater Lansing/East Lansing metropolitan area.  But they're not telling.
Hugh Lefcort, a Gonzaga University biology professor specializing in ecotoxicology, tells, lithium ion powered scooters are particularly problematic as they pose a serious threat to aquatic life. Unlike iron, lithium and heavy metals in rechargeable batteries are toxic, Lefcort said.  

We should feel compelled to remove electric scooters from our vulnerable waterways for environmental reasons alone.
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK.
Please take a few minutes to complete a confidential 12-point survey to share your thoughts and opinions about the importance of waterways stewardship. Your feedback will be of great help as we attempt to raise awareness with our Lansing and East Lansing cities and university officials about how much we value our treasured rivers and wish to improve their care.  
SURVEY INSTRUCTIONS.
Read each comment carefully. Then select the best answer that matches your opinion.  If you find any comment either unclear or confusing, answer the best that you can. 

Because we value your thoughts and opinion, after each comment you are given an opportunity to leave your thoughts or opinion. We ask that it be specific to that specific topic. At the end of the survey you will be given the opportunity to leave a comment about any environmental matter you feel is important.
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We respect your privacy. We will not reveal your name unless specifically authorized. The last question in this survey will tell us your privacy preference.
    BEFORE WE START, TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOU.
    LET'S BEGIN.
    Beginning the weekend of July 15, and over a period of five separate days, over 200 scooters and bicycles has been retrieved from Bogue Street Bridge over the Red Cedar River. It is known that more remains to be retrieved here and at other East Lansing and Lansing area bridges.
    Spin is our area’s largest micro-mobility transportation provider. Each of their scooters is GPS fitted to allow them to track their precise location and when last used or lost. 
    It is generally accepted that our waterways are a shared and vulnerable resource for all of us to care for and enjoy.
    It is generally accepted that collaborative efforts among key stakeholders is most effective in creating long-term, sustainable solutions to any given problem.
    CONSENT TO USE YOUR NAME
    ​We will not reveal your name unless specifically authorized. 
    Thank you for participating in this survey. We value your time, thoughts, and opinions. Your feedback will assist us and others in being greater waterways stewards. 

CREATING A COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTION

A Four Point Campaign Could Be Launched As Soon As 2-4 Weeks.
It is essential to create a comprehensive and collaborative campaign, including preemptive measures, to slow and eventually stop the act of throwing off electric scooters, bikes, and other large objects in our rivers. There are four components to a successful campaign:
1.  Awareness (PSAs)
2.  Deterrence (Signage and cameras)
3.  Enforcement (Fines and citations)
4.  Stewardship (River cleanup)

The most effective work is completed up front. It delivers the greatest results at the lowest possible cost. If done well, each subsequent step becomes easier and less costly. The last step, an act of last resort. is the least effective and most expensive (and is dangerous) to execute.  It is currently proving incrementally more difficult,  time consuming, and costly, due to Spin’s lack of cooperation.
Not included in the above list of steps, but essential to any sustainable campaign, is the important reward/recognition component  Those partners, whether individual or organizational, should be proportionately recognized for their contribution.
With full commitment, a campaign could be created and launched in as few two-to-four weeks.
If you have an interest to learn more about our observations, work, and recommended actions, we welcome the opportunity to visit and discuss. Drop us a note via our Contact Form and we'll get back to you ASAP.

JOIN US | MAKE A LASTING IMPACT | THIS IS OUR LEGACY

​Michigan Waterways Stewards

Our mission is to protect and improve Michigan’s treasured and vulnerable waterways
​for the benefit of fish and wildlife, recreation and sport.
​Join us. Experience the ease in which we accomplish great things by working together.
Through our work we will inspire current and future generations 
​to protect and care for our prized waterways. ​
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