The Department of Environmental Quality and the Great Lakes Commission (GLC) announced today the release of the 2009 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 2009, with funding provided by the DEQ from fees collected from the sale of the state's water quality protection license plates.

The Michigan VRSCCP provides small grants to local units of government to help implement the cleanup and improvement 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/app09.

Applications will be reviewed and assessed by the DEQ and the GLC staff, with final decisions anticipated by mid-March.

Questions regarding the grant application package or their application can be directed to Laura Kaminski, GLC, at 734-971-9135 or laurak@glc.org or John Wuycheck, DEQ, at 517-335-4195 or wuycheckj@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"