FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 14, 2019
Robert Sweet, Nonpoint Source Grants Coordinator, SweetR@Michigan.gov, 517-284-5520
EGLE Media Office, EGLE-Assist@Michigan.gov, 517-284-9278

 EGLE Awards 5 Watershed Management Planning Grants 

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) today announced grants totaling $431,000 for five projects that will benefit Michigan lakes and streams by developing new or updating existing watershed management plans.

The watershed management plans will help restore impaired waters and protect high-quality waters by reducing nonpoint sources of sediment, nutrients, and other contaminants. An approved watershed management plan is required to apply for implementation funds offered annually by EGLE's Nonpoint Source Program.

The organizations and projects selected to receive funding:

• Pierce Cedar Creek Institute: $110,973 to develop a new watershed management plan for Cedar Creek, a subwatershed of the Thornapple River that has been impacted by elevated E. coli concentrations and excess nutrients, erosion, and sedimentation.

• Ottawa Conservation District: $134,320 to develop a new watershed management plan for the Pigeon River watershed, a coldwater coastal tributary impaired by elevated E. coli levels and affected by flashy flows and excess nutrients.

• Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council: $88,715 to update watershed plans for the Cheboygan and Lower Black River watersheds, as well as develop a new protection-oriented plan for the Mullet Lake watershed.

• Glen Lake Association: $25,025 to update the protection-oriented Glen Lake-Crystal River Watershed Management Plan, by incorporating new water quality monitoring data as well as collecting new watershed inventory data.

• Clinton Conservation District: $71,967 to develop a new watershed management plan for Stony Creek, a subwatershed of the Maple River and impacted by excess E. coli, sediment, and nutrients from urban and agricultural sources.

These grants are funded under Section 205(j) of the federal Clean Water Act. Grants were offered via a request for proposals.

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