Stony Island Habitat Restoration Funds Awarded

U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters have announced that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is awarding $2.33 million to restore habitats on the islands in the lower part of the Detroit River.

Senator Stabenow is Co-Chair of the Great Lakes Task Force and Senator Peters is a member.

“We know that what’s good for our lakes and waterways is great for our Michigan economy,” said Senator Stabenow, Co-Chair of the Great Lakes Task Force. “This investment will strengthen habitats around Stony Island so that fish and wildlife can flourish once again, making the Detroit River a destination for anglers and all who enjoy Michigan’s natural beauty.”

“After years of water pollution and industrial waste being dumped into the Detroit River, I am pleased to see it becoming a dynamic riverfront with many fish and wildlife species returning to the area,” said Senator Peters, a member of the Great Lakes Task Force. “This grant will build upon that revitalization by continuing habitat restoration efforts that protect the sustainability of our waterways, while promoting recreation and tourism.”

The award will go to Friends of the Detroit River to help complete more acreage of habitat restoration than any previous restoration effort for the Detroit River Area of Concern (AOC).

The project seeks to restore 350 linear feet of habitat shoal and create 600 linear feet of habitat shoal islands in the Stony Island upper bay. The project will also protect an additional 50 acres of backwater habitat and use a number of design elements to provide habitats for a variety of fish and wildlife species.