The Department of Natural Resources and Environment and the Great Lakes Commission (GLC) announced today the release of the 2010 Grant Application Package for Michigan's Volunteer River, Stream and Creek Cleanup Program (VRSCCP).  A total of $25,000 is available under the program for fiscal year 2010, with funding provided by the DNRE through fees collected from the sale of the state's water quality protection license plates.  The application deadline for the Volunteer River, Stream and Creek Cleanup Program is 5:00 p.m. on Monday, February 22, 2010.

The Michigan VRSCCP provides small grants to local units of government to help implement the cleanup and improvement of the waters of Michigan's rivers, streams, and creeks.  Local units of government may partner with nonprofit organizations or other volunteer groups to carry out the cleanups.  There is a minimum local match requirement of 25 percent of the total project costs.

The Grant Application Package is available at http://www.glc.org/streamclean/app10. Applications will be reviewed and assessed by the DNRE and the GLC staff, with final decisions anticipated by late April 2010.

Questions regarding the Grant Application Package can be directed to Laura Kaminski, GLC, at 734-971-9135 or laurak@glc.org; or Ralph Bednarz, DNRE, at 517-335-4211 or bednarzr@michigan.gov.

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

The DNRE is committed to the conservation, protection, management, and accessible use and enjoyment of the state's environment, natural resources, and related economic interests for current and future generations.