April 4, 2013 13-0404
For More Information Bill Dimond, 517-241-9565, dimondw@michigan.gov
Brad Wurfel, 517-373-7917, wurfelb@michigan.gov
The DEQ and the Great Lakes Commission today announced more than $39,000 in grants to fund river, stream, and creek cleanup events around the state.
Michigan's Volunteer River, Stream, and Creek Cleanup Program provides $500 to $5,000 grants to local units of government to improve Michigan's waters by cleaning up rivers, streams, and creeks.
Local governments often partner with nonprofit organizations or other volunteer groups to perform the cleanups, which include removal of trash and other debris from streams and stream banks. Removal of natural materials like fallen trees, branches, and rocks is not allowed under this grant program.
The groups selected to receive funding in 2013 include:
- City of Charlotte, "9th Annual River Cleanup Day" - $838.65
- Germfask Township, "Manistique River Clean Up" - $845
- City of Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation Services, "A2 Keeping the River Clean" - $3,254
- Tuscola Conservation District, "5th Annual Cass River Cleanup" - $600
- Barry Conservation District, "18th Annual Thornapple River Clean Up" - $1,800
- Macatawa Area Coordinating Council, "Macatawa River Volunteer Cleanup" - $1,000
- City of Evart, "Muskegon River Cleanup" - $2,175
- St. Joseph County Conservation District, "River Cleanup Project 2013" - $2,750
- City of Grand Rapids, "10th Annual Mayors' Grand River Cleanup" - $4,500
- Hillsdale Conservation District, "Headwaters River Clean-up Project" - $2,653
- Van Buren Conservation District, "River Rescue 2013" - $2,360
- Shiawassee County Health Department, "16th Annual Shiawassee River Clean-up" - $1,875
- City of Battle Creek, "2013 Global Citizens River Conservation Day" - $1,500
- Calhoun Conservation District, "Klean the Kazoo" - $2,570
- Jackson County Drain Commissioner, "Portage River Volunteer Cleanup" - $1,145
- Monroe Conservation District, "River Raisin Rubbish Removal" - $2,538.91
- Kent Conservation District, "Rogue River Cleanup" - $1,615.75
- Genesee County Parks and Recreation Commission, "Flint River Clean Up" - $2,900
- Grand Traverse Conservation District, "9th Annual Boardman River Clean Sweep 2013" - $1,150
- Mason-Lake Conservation District, "Pere Marquette Paddle Down-River Cleanup" - $945
Michigan's Volunteer River, Stream, and Creek Cleanup Program began in 1998 and has been funded through various public acts. Since 2001, funds for this program have originated from the sale of the state's water quality protection license plates. Grants are administered by the Great Lakes Commission, under contract with the DEQ. These grants help foster local stewardship and a sense of community while protecting Michigan's waters.
Additional information on the Volunteer River, Stream, and Creek Cleanup Program is available online at http://www.glc.org/streamclean/ or by e-mailing Laura Kaminski, Great Lakes Commission, at laurak@glc.org, or Bill Dimond, DEQ, at dimondw@michigan.gov.
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