June 12, 2006

Department of Environmental Quality Director Steven E. Chester today congratulated the city of Battle Creek as they celebrate the completion of the first green roof project in the southwest Michigan area. The city hosted an open house on June 8, at the Public Safety Building to recognize the many partners who helped make this innovative storm water management solution possible.

The project was funded in part by a $330,650 Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Grant administered by the DEQ.

“The DEQ is proud to play a role in making this project a reality,” said Director Chester. “We are committed to helping communities across Michigan make sustainable design choices.”

The 18,000-square-foot vegetated roof will provide insulation and reduce heating and cooling costs for the building, reduce the amount of storm water run off, and improve the air quality by absorbing smog forming chemicals and producing oxygen.

The grant for the project was awarded in 2004 to the city of Battle Creek, and the project was selected as the 2005 Project of the Year by the Southwest Branch of the Michigan Chapter of the American Public Works Association.

Michigan’s NPS Pollution Control Program provides grant opportunities to local units of government and non-profit organizations for water quality improvement projects and watershed management planning efforts on an annual basis. More information on Michigan’s NPS Program is available on the internet at 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 June 12, 2006 by Pat Watson