October 20, 2005

The Department of Environmental Quality announced today it is awarding 15 grants totaling nearly $2.8 million to protect Michigan’s lakes and streams and help local communities better manage their land resources. The grants will provide 21 jobs to local communities and support Governor Jennifer M. Granholm’s Cool Cities Initiative in Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and Traverse City.

“Partnership is the key to protecting Michigan’s resources, and these grants are a key part of that effort,” said DEQ Director Steven E. Chester. “By ensuring our water resources stay clean and healthy, we are ultimately ensuring Michigan’s prosperity for years to come.”

Among the new grants are projects that will build partnerships between municipalities, nonprofit organizations, universities, developers, and others to improve water quality and address land use issues throughout their watershed.

Funding for these grants is through the Federal Clean Water Act Sections 319 and 205 funds, and will go towards the following projects:

Allegan Conservation District - Amount: $236,357

Project Summary:  The Gun River Watershed Project combines a strong conservation partnership with the local community, land use planning initiatives, technical tools such as the Hydrologic and Hydraulic Studies, and United States Department of Agriculture Farm Bill programs to address the water quality concerns of nutrients/phosphorus and sediment degrading aquatic habitat.

Allegan County Drain Commissioner's Office - Amount: $169,872

Project Summary:  The Rabbit River Watershed Project will use computer models and other tools to assist in the development of ordinances and in the prioritization of road crossings. The results of the project will be used to standardize design criteria for the drain commissioner to use in the Rabbit River Watershed.

City of Eaton Rapids - Amount: $114,735

Project Summary:  The Eaton Rapids Bank Restoration Project will stabilize eroding river banks and will also include implementing infiltration techniques to minimize stormwater runoff into the Upper Grand Watershed.

The Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay - Amount: $199,090

Project Summary:  The Grand Traverse Bay Watershed Project will protect the Grand Traverse Bay Watershed by installing storm water best management practices and implementing educational campaigns in the Grand Traverse Bay Watershed.

Huron Conservation District - Amount: $141,380

Project Summary:  Pinnebog River Planning Project will result in an Environmental Protection Agency Nine-Element approved watershed management plan.

Jackson County Conservation District - Amount: $287,384

Project Summary:  The Upper Grand River Implementation Project will plan and implement best management practices, such as buffer strips, grassed waterways, conservation tillage, and wetland restoration, to reduce sediment and nitrates/nitrites in the Portage River. The project also includes developing an educational program and policies that address watershed problems.

Green Built, Inc. - Amount: $66,232

Project Summary:  The Lower Grand River Watershed Project will increase the use of low impact development (LID) techniques in Greater Grand Rapids by developing a strategy for the LID Initiative, forming project committees and facilitating meetings, presenting at township board meetings, providing a presentation, holding a LID tour, and developing a sustainability strategy.

Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District - Amount: $100,584

Project Summary:  The Eagle River Watershed Project will develop a watershed management plan that meets the EPA Nine-Elements. The Eagle River has significant impacts from historical copper mining and stamp sands and is listed as one of Michigan’s impaired waters.

River Raisin Watershed Council - Amount: $277,084

Project Summary:  The River Raisin Watershed Project will result in a locally lead process to develop an EPA Nine-Element approved watershed management plan for the entire River Raisin Watershed.

Central Lake Superior Watershed Partnership - Amount: $86,624

Project Summary:  The Two Hearted River Watershed Planning Project will result in an EPA Nine-Element approved watershed management plan to protect this renowned high quality river. The Partnership will develop the plan in partnership with The Nature Conservancy and local stakeholders.

St. Joseph County Conservation District - Amount: $207,328

Project Summary:  The Rocky River Watershed Project will work to protect the Rocky River through the implementation of land use planning tools, conservation practices, and stakeholder awareness and education programs.

Clinton Conservation District - Amount: $150,500

Project Summary:  The Upper Looking Glass Watershed Project will identify and prioritize pollution sources and causes; establish clear links and specific targets for enhancing the watershed; and facilitate interagency and intergovernmental cooperation in addressing land use issues and result in an EPA Nine-Element approved plan.

Van Buren Conservation District - Amount: $384,817

Project Summary:  The Black River Watershed Project will implement best management practices in two high-visibility locations; provide information and education on water quality issues for watershed residents, municipalities, and businesses; and provide long term protection of the Black River Watershed through improved local land use policies and land protection.

Southwestern Michigan Commission - Amount: $216,087

Project Summary:  The Paw Paw River Watershed Project will develop a watershed management plan that ensures the status of high water quality is maintained. This project aims to preempt greater impairments by focusing on promoting preservation, compatible development, and LID techniques. This project builds on years of interest and work by participating partners and stakeholders.

Huron River Watershed Council - Amount: $142,966

Project Summary:  The Huron River Watershed Project will implement highly visible and advocacy-based policy initiative to protect riparian buffers. The initiative will raise the level of awareness and discussion on the importance of riparian buffers and start a movement of passing buffer ordinances at the local level.

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”

Revised October 20, 2005, by Shirley Smith for Pat Watson