Volunteer Stream Monitoring Grants Available

January 25, 2017

For More Information:
Marcy Knoll Wilmes, Water Resources Division, 517-284-5544, knollm@michigan.gov
Melody Kindraka, Public Information Officer, 517-284-6716, kindrakam1@michigan.gov

Volunteer Stream Monitoring Grants Available

The Volunteer Stream Monitoring Grant Program is now accepting funding proposals for up to $50,000 in grants for three different topical areas under the Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps), a network of volunteer monitoring programs in Michigan. Applications are due Feb. 21, 2017.

Local units of government and nonprofit organizations are eligible to receive funding under the three following areas:

• The Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Survey grants support volunteer work to monitor benthic macroinvertebrate communities and habitat characteristics in wadeable streams and rivers. The funds support training and water quality data collection helping state and local efforts to protect and manage water resources. The grants may be used to fund a local monitoring coordinator and/or purchase water quality monitoring supplies. There is a maximum dollar amount of $14,000 per grant award for two-year projects under this funding area.  
• The Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Survey start-up grants are for newly forming volunteer monitoring groups. Funds assist with designing a local monitoring program and strategy, or for development of a full proposal for a future Volunteer Stream Monitoring Grant Program cycle. Start-up grant recipients have access to MiCorps resources and training. There is a maximum dollar amount of $3,000 per grant award for one-year projects under this funding area. 
• The Road/Stream Crossing Inventory grants will assist volunteer monitoring groups in establishing a volunteer-based program in which volunteers visit and assess the condition of streams at crossings to protect and enhance streams throughout targeted watersheds. MiCorps will provide training to grant recipients, and the data will be entered into a publicly available database and used by various agencies as a screening tool. There is a maximum dollar amount of $8,500 per grant award for 13-month projects under this funding area.

The MiCorps Program, https://micorps.net, was established in 2004 to assist the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) in collecting and sharing water quality data for use in water resources management and protection programs. Through MiCorps, nearly $638,000 in Clean Michigan Initiative grant funds has been awarded to volunteer organizations.

Grant application packages including grant information and application instructions, are available at https://micorps.net/register/gap17.html, https://micorps.net/register/startup17.html and https://micorps.net/register/roadstream17.html. Grant applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on Feb. 21, 2017.

Questions about the grant application process should be directed to Dr. Paul Steen, Huron River Watershed Council, at 734-769-5123 or psteen@hrwc.org; or Ms. Marcy Knoll Wilmes, Water Resources Division, MDEQ, at 517-284-5544 or knollm@michigan.gov.

The MDEQ is dedicated to respect for Michigan’s citizens, stewardship of the environment, and support for a sustainable economy.

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