July 16, 2004

The Department of Environmental Quality announced today that over $4.5 million in federal Nonpoint Source Pollution Control and Watershed Planning Grants will be awarded to 20 communities and organizations throughout Michigan. These awards include 4 grants for the development of watershed management plans and 18 grants to implement nonpoint source pollution controls in approved watershed management plans. Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Grants benefit both local communities and the environment by improving water quality and wildlife habitat leading to locally enhanced recreational activities and aesthetics.

“Watershed management at the local level is critical to maintaining and protecting Michigan’s water quality,” said DEQ Director Steven E. Chester. “Each of these projects is community focused, and will allow the development or implementation of a watershed management plan that works best for that community.”

Watershed management plans include identifying the desired uses of the water resource as determined by the community, and steps to reduce or prevent sources of pollutants that impair water quality or prevent the community from using the resource in the desired manner.

The 22 grant awards announced today will be funded under the federal Clean Water Act and administered by the DEQ. The DEQ received 74 applications requesting almost $10.5 million for both federal Clean Water Act funding and state Clean Michigan Initiative (CMI) Nonpoint Source Grant funding. Local units of government and non-profit entities are eligible for the grants, which require matching funds of 10 percent for watershed planning projects and 25 percent for implementation grants.

The list of grants can be accessed on the DEQ’s Web page at: www.michigan.gov/deqnpspollution, or you may contact Mr. Robert Sweet at 517-335-6967.

Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Project Name  -  Organization  -  Amount

Sanilac County Lakeshore Watershed Implementation, Sanilac Conservation District  $378,924.00

Coldwater River (Isabella County) Implementation, Isabella Conservation District  $100,000.00

Sebewaing Watershed Alternative Cropping Project, Tuscola Conservation District  $300,000.00

Upper Manistee River Watershed Protection Project, Huron Pines Resource Conservation and Development Area Council  $68,354.00

Front Street Storm Water Infiltrator, Village of Empire  $242,616.00

Elk River Tributaries Restoration, Antrim Conservation District  $243,625.00

Kid's Creek Implementation Project, The Watershed Center  Grand Traverse Bay  $116,628.00

Macatawa Watershed Project, Macatawa Area Coordinating Council  $197,904.00

Mona Lake Watershed Management Plan, Mona Lake Watershed Council  $167,571.00

Lower Grand River Implementation Project, Grand Valley Metropolitan Council  $263,195.00

Hog Creek Implementation Project, Hillsdale Conservation District  $263,826.00

Allen's Creek Rain Gardens, Washtenaw County Drain Commission  $62,995.00

Mill Creek Blitz, Huron River Watershed Council  $204,597.00

Galien River Implementation Project, Chikaming Open Lands  $590,312.00

Battle Creek City Hall Runoff Project, City of Battle Creek  $330,650.00

Battle Creek River and Rice Creek Watersheds Implementation Project, Calhoun Conservation District  $505,801.00

Wildwood Subdivision Storm Water Best Management Practices (BMP), Retrofit Huron River Watershed Council  $82,088.00

Sarah Banks Middle School Storm Water BMP Retrofit, Huron River Watershed Council  $81,288.00

Salmon Trout River Watershed Planning Project, Marquette Conservation District  $26,471.00

Fumee Creek Watershed Information and Education Project, Dickinson Conservation District  $46,679.00

Sault Ste. Marie Area Watershed Planning Project, Chippewa/East Mackinac Conservation District  $102,891.00

Flint River South Branch Headwaters Plan, University of Michigan-Flint  $146,848.66

Editor’s note: DEQ news releases are available on the department’s Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

Revised July 16, 2004 by Michelle M. Cancino