March 30, 2006

The Department of Environmental Quality has been working cooperatively with stakeholders in the Galien River watershed to promote awareness of water quality issues and improve the condition of the watershed. Local stakeholders recognized the need for a cohesive watershed improvement and protection effort--a need also recognized by the DEQ.

The 112,222-acre Galien River watershed is located in Berrien County, Michigan, and Indiana. Excessive contributions of sediment and nutrients to lakes and streams in the watershed are high priority concerns. In addition, areas within the watershed exceed Michigan’s water quality standards for E. coli, an indicator of disease causing organisms.

The most recent project in the Galien River watershed began in June 2005 when Chikaming Open Lands, a nonprofit organization, was awarded a federally funded grant administered through the DEQ. The grant’s aim is to improve water quality by reducing E. coli and sediment contamination through the completion of 17 conservation easements that preserve natural areas that absorb rainwater and buffer water bodies from pollutants contained in rainwater runoff. They also provide habitat for wildlife.

Previous grants from the same source of federal funding allowed for the development of the Galien River Watershed Management Plan, which contains a comprehensive assessment of watershed conditions and improvement recommendations. The DEQ recognizes the momentum built by the group of motivated Galien River watershed stakeholders and the positive impacts these efforts have toward improving water quality.

“A project like this highlights the benefits that come from partnerships between the DEQ and watershed stakeholders,” said DEQ Director Steven E. Chester. “These successful efforts are vital to protecting Michigan’s water resources for the future.”

More information about watershed improvement efforts across the state is available online at http://www.michigan.gov/deqnps.

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 March 30, 2006 by Pat Watson