The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) announced today the award of 14 water quality grants totaling over $4.4 million that will permanently protect and restore rivers and wetlands, allow for watershed planning, and one project that will result in the installation of several green roofs to help control urban runoff.

"These projects all promote cooperation across levels of government to resolve water quality issues," said DEQ Director Steven E. Chester.  "These partnership efforts between local, state, and federal entities provide a tremendous benefit for the long-term improvement and protection of Michigan's environment."

The recipients of the funding announced today are:

·         The Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy in Antrim County - $500,000 for the Grand Traverse Bay Watershed Protection Project Phase III.

·         The Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy in Antrim County - $200,000 for the Jordan River Watershed Protection Project.

·         The Calhoun Conservation District in Calhoun County - $185,905 for the Crooked Creek Watershed Planning Project.

·         The Calhoun Conservation District in Calhoun County - $247,803 for the Rice Creek Floodplain Reconnection Project.

·         The Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council in Charlevoix County - $147,096 for the Lake Charlevoix Watershed:  Urban and Rural Solutions Project.

·         The Chippewa/East Mackinac Conservation District in Chippewa County - $154,165 for the Munuscong River Watershed Planning Project.

·         The Little Forks Conservancy, Inc., in Gladwin County - $329,289 for the Cedar River Watershed Conservation Easement Acquisition Project.

·         The Watershed Center of Grand Traverse Bay in Grand Traverse County - $257,358 for the Kid's Creek and Grand Traverse Bay Watershed - Water Quality Solutions Project.

·         The Six Rivers Regional Land Conservancy in Lapeer County - $80,000 for the South Branch Flint River Riparian Education Project.

·         The Leelanau Conservancy in Leelanau County - $418,000 for the West Grand Traverse Bay Protection Project.

·         The Shiawassee Conservation District in Shiawassee County - $100,000 for the Mid‑Shiawassee River Watershed Restoration Project.

·         The Van Buren Conservation District in Van Buren County - $806,551 for the Black and Paw Paw Rivers Wetland Protection/Restoration Project.

·         The Wayne County Department of Environment in Wayne County - $611,875 for the Water Quality Improvements in Alliance Downriver Watersheds Project.

·         The Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District in Keweenaw County - $394,910 for the Stamp Sand Stabilization Project at Central, Winona, and Cliff Mines.

The DEQ's Nonpoint Source Program provides annual grant funding opportunities for local units of government and nonprofit entities with funding primarily from the federal Clean Water Act and Clean Michigan Initiative - Nonpoint Source funds.

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"