MDEQ awards grants to 11 local governments to host river cleanups

GLIN · April 26, 2018

News

Lansing, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) and Great Lakes Commission today announced the availability of more than $21,000 in grants to support local efforts to clean up rivers, streams and creeks across the state.

Michigan’s Volunteer River, Stream, and Creek Cleanup Program provides grants to local units of government to clean and improve Michigan waterways. Local governments often partner with nonprofit organizations or other volunteer groups for 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 to ensure the continued health of the waterway.

The groups selected to receive funding in 2018 include:

Huron River Watershed Council, “Huron River Coordinated Cleanups” – $4,350
Missaukee Conservation District, “Muskegon River Cleanup” – $2,862
St. Joseph County Conservation District, “River Country Cleanup” – $2,797.50
Grand Traverse Conservation District, “14th Annual Boardman River Clean Sweep 2018” – $2,200
Shiawassee County Health Department, “23rd Annual Shiawassee River Cleanup” – $1,900
Allegan Conservation District, “Gun River Cleanup Event” – $1,840
Benzie Conservation District, “Betsie River and Platte River Clean Sweeps” – $1,126
Kalkaska Conservation District, “Annual Cleanup on the Manistee River” – $1,077.50
Village of Estral Beach, “Swan Creek Cleanup” – $1,039
City of Monroe, “2018 River Raisin Cleanup” – $1,025
Antrim Conservation District, “Jordan River Cleanup” – $975

The cleanup grant program began in 1998 and is funded by the sale of the state’s water quality protection license plates. Grants are administered by the Great Lakes Commission, under contract with the MDEQ. These grants help foster local stewardship and a sense of community while protecting Michigan’s waters. For more information, visit http://www.glc.org/work/VRSCCP

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The Great Lakes Commission, led by chairman John Linc Stine, commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, is an interstate compact agency established under state and U.S. federal law and dedicated to promoting a strong economy, healthy environment and high quality of life for the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region and its residents. The Commission consists of governors’ appointees, state legislators, and agency officials from its eight member states. Associate membership for Ontario and Québec was established through the signing of a “Declaration of Partnership.” The Commission maintains a formal Observer program involving U.S. and Canadian federal agencies, tribal authorities, binational agencies and other regional interests. The Commission offices are located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Learn more at www.glc.org.