February 23, 2006

The Department of Environmental Quality announced today the availability of over $5.7 million of state and federal funding for watershed-based projects. The funds will help local governments and nonprofit organizations plan and implement water quality projects and control polluted run-off.

“These grants continue the DEQ's commitment to partnering with local communities to enhance our state's environment,” said DEQ Director, Steven E. Chester. “This process will aid in the design and implementation of watershed plans that protect Michigan's vast water resources.”

Since 1999, the Nonpoint Source Program has awarded over $80 million in grant funds for water quality projects.

The current funding opportunities are:

● Clean Michigan Initiative –
    Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Grants
    Approximately $1 million will be made available to implement
    elements of watershed plans that have already been approved by the
    DEQ. Proposals must include a minimum of 25 percent local match.

● Clean Michigan Initiative – Clean Water Fund –
    Voluntary Stormwater Permits
    Approximately $2.1 million is available to implement elements of
    approved watershed plans developed under Phase 2 stormwater
    permits. Proposals must include a minimum of 50 percent local
    match.

● Federal Clean Water Act – Nonpoint Source Pollution
    Control Approximately $2.62 million is anticipated to be available to
    develop watershed plans meeting the DEQ and the U.S.
    Environmental Protection Agency criteria or to implement elements of
    previously approved watershed plans. Local match of 10 percent for
    planning projects and 25 percent for implementation projects is
    required.

Proposals are due March 9, 2006. The full text of the Requests for Proposals, as well as forms and instructions, can be found on the DEQ Web site at http://www.michigan.gov/deqnp. This information is also available from Nancy Steffen, at (517) 373-9540, or steffenj@michigan.gov.

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 February 23, 2006 by Pat Watson