Michigan DEQ details goals for water protection

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality has released details of five major goals for its water protection programs.

The "Measures of Success" document focuses on ensuring safe drinking water; protecting groundwater; enhancing recreational waters; ensuring safe consumable fish; and protecting and restoring aquatic ecosystems.

The department has included ways to measure progress on its efforts.

For example, the DEQ says that by 2014 all beaches on the Great Lakes and inland lakes that are monitored should be safe for swimming. It also details benchmarks for fighting mercury, PCB and dioxin contamination.

The DEQ plans to review and modify the goals. Details may be found on the department's Web site.