The Department of Environmental Quality has announced the availability of approximately $5 million of state and federal funding for watershed-based projects.  The DEQ is accepting proposals from local units of government, nonprofit organizations, and universities for planning and implementation projects to restore and protect Michigan's wetlands, lakes, and streams.

The funding opportunities include approximately $2 million in Clean Michigan Initiative - Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Grants that are anticipated to be available to implement elements of watershed management plans that have been approved by the DEQ as meeting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) criteria.  Proposals must include a minimum of 25 percent local match.

Additionally, approximately $3 million in Federal Clean Water Act funding is anticipated to be available to develop watershed management plans meeting the DEQ and the U.S. EPA criteria, or to implement elements of watershed management plans previously approved as meeting the U.S. EPA criteria.  Proposals must include a minimum of 15 percent local match for planning or 25 percent local match for implementation.

Watershed management plans must be approved by the DEQ on or before October 29, 2009, to be eligible for implementation funds.  Notices of Intent are due September 24, 2009.  Full applications from invited entities are due October 29, 2009.  Full text of the Request for Proposals including eligibility criteria and priorities, as well as the required forms and instructions, can be found on the DEQ's Web site at http://www.michigan.gov/deqnps.  This information is also available from Nancy Ayers, Water Bureau, at 517- 241-7734 .

Grant awards are contingent upon the sale of Clean Michigan Initiative general obligation bonds to support these projects and the appropriation of funding by the Michigan Legislature.

Editor's note:  DEQ news releases are available on the department's Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

"Protecting Michigan's Environment, Ensuring Michigan's Future"