USA: DEQ Announces Water Quality Grants for Michigan

The DEQ  announced $3 million in grants statewide to improve water quality in Michigan’s lakes and streams.

The grants, issued through Michigan’s Nonpoint Source Program, support development of watershed plans to improve water quality as well as funding for existing program activities. Several of the projects will result in water bodies meeting water quality standards.

Entities selected to receive funding include:

Northwest Michigan Council of Governments, $164,000 to develop a watershed plan for the Betsie River/Crystal Lake Watershed.

Ionia County Conservation District, $119,781 to develop a watershed plan for the Lake Creek Watershed.

Calhoun Conservation District, $223,718 to develop a watershed plan for the Portage River/Little Portage Creek Watershed.

Macomb County Public Works Office, $200,000 to restore at least 40 acres of wetland in the North Branch Clinton River Watershed.

Kalamazoo County Drain Commission, $117,703 to stabilize three severely eroding stream banks on Davis Creek.

Jackson County Conservation District, $192,158 to reduce bacteria in the Upper Grand River Watershed, with the goal of restoring portions of Albrow Creek so that it meets water quality standards.

Huron River Watershed Council, $148,222 to implement conservation easements, riparian buffers and storm water controls in the Portage Creek Watershed.

Kalamazoo River Watershed Council, $180,654 for bacteria source tracking and storm water education in the Kalamazoo River Watershed.

Trout Unlimited, Inc., $66,172 to educate planning commissions on the placement and proper use of storm water practices in the Rogue River Watershed.

The following projects were selected to receive funding pending state Administrative Board approval:

Paw Paw Village, $294,500 to implement wetland restoration practices and implement agricultural practices in the South Branch of the Paw Paw River Watershed.

Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy, $270,499 to implement permanent conservation easements in the Glass Creek Watershed.

Calvin College, $375,662 to address pollution sources in the Plaster Creek Watershed using structural controls and outreach to a variety of stakeholders.

Shiawassee Conservation District, $599,649 to implementation activities targeting bacteria in the Mid-Shiawassee River Watershed, with the goal of helping Holly Drain meet water quality standards. Since 2000, the DEQ Nonpoint Source Program has contributed over $1.2 million to restoration efforts in the Mid-Shiawassee River Watershed.

Michigan’s Nonpoint Source Program began in the late 1980s with changes to the Clean Water Act emphasizing control of nonpoint sources of pollution. Grants are offered via an annual request for proposals cycle.

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Dredging Today Staff, June 25, 2012