The Department of Natural Resources has approved six Dam Management Grant Program projects totaling $2.35 million. This program was designed and launched in late 2012 to support Gov. Rick Snyder’s initiatives concerning local infrastructure needs, and was funded by General Fund dollars appropriated by the Legislature for this purpose.
Grant recipients will use the approved funds to remove dams without an economic purpose or repair dams with an economic purpose that are an imminent public safety issue and are deemed in unsatisfactory condition or under order by the Department of Environmental Quality, Dam Safety Division.
“Grants awarded this year will enhance aquatic environments and fishing opportunities in Michigan,” said Chris Freiburger, coordinator of the Dam Management Grant Program. “They will also reduce long-term infrastructure costs and improve public safety throughout the state.”
Approved projects receiving grants are listed below. A committee consisting of DNR and DEQ staff, along with local fisheries biologists and technical experts reviewed the proposals.
The Conservation Resources Alliance in Grand Traverse County was awarded $357,725 to fund the Boardman Dam Removal – Phase II project.
The DNR’s Wildlife Division in Allegan County was awarded $725,000 to fund the Kalamazoo River – Otsego Township Dam Repair project.
The Ionia Conservation District in Ionia County was awarded $994,975 to fund the Lyons Dam Removal project.
Friends of the Shiawassee River in Shiawassee County were awarded $162,700 to fund the Shiawassee Town Dam Removal project.
The City of Vassar in Tuscola County was awarded $40,300 to fund the Vassar Dam Removal project.
The City of Wakefield in Gogebic County was awarded $69,300 to fund the Sunday Lake Dam Spillway Gate Replacement project.
To learn more about the Dam Management Grant Program, including detailed descriptions of the approved grant projects, visit www.michigan.gov/dnr-grants.
