[DEQ] DEQ awards grants to 13 local governments to host river cleanups

DEQ awards grants to 13 local governments to host river cleanups

April 27, 2015

For More Information
Marcy Knoll Wilmes, DEQ, 517-284-5544, knollm@michigan.gov
Laura Kaminski, Great Lakes Commission, 734-971-9135, laurak@glc.org 

The DEQ and Great Lakes Commission today announced nearly $25,000 in grants to fund river, stream and creek cleanup events for volunteers around the state.

Michigan's Volunteer River, Stream and Creek Cleanup Program provides $500 to $5,000 grants to local units of government to clean up and improve Michigan's waters.

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 2015 include:
• Huron River Watershed Council, "Huron River Coordinated Cleanups" - $3,766
• City of Grand Rapids, "12th Annual Mayors' Grand River Cleanup" - $3,750
• Ottawa County Parks and Recreation Commission, "5th Annual Ottawa County Grand River Cleanup" - $3,000
• City of Detroit Recreation Department, "Rouge Park River Clean Up" - $2,625
• Caledonia Township, " 20th Annual Thornapple River Clean Up" - $1,850
• Van Buren Conservation District, "River Rescue 2015" - $1,600.50
• Shiawassee County Health Department, "18th Annual Shiawassee River Cleanup" - $1,593.75
• Bridgeport Charter Township Parks and Recreation, "7th Annual Cass River Clean up" - $1,415
• Petoskey Department of Parks and Recreation, "2015 Healing the Bear River Cleanup" - $1,294.50 
• Grand Traverse Conservation District, "11th Annual Boardman River Clean Sweep" - $1,260
• St. Joseph County Conservation District, "2015 River Clean Up Project" - $1,213.50
• City of Jonesville, "41st Annual St. Joseph River Cleanup" - $896
• Village of Chesaning, "4th Annual Shiawassee River Cleanup" - $630

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 DEQ. These grants help foster local stewardship and a sense of community while protecting Michigan's waters.

For more information, visit www.glc.org/projects/water-quality/streamclean/.