Michigan DNR announces $1.25 million in funding for Aquatic Habitat Grant Program
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The Aquatic Habitat Grant Program was developed to support projects that protect and rehabilitate the state’s aquatic resources. Projects must also develop self-sustaining aquatic communities, so that the aquatic habitats can be used for recreational opportunities and support natural resource-based economies. Additionally, they need to foster strong relationships and partnerships.
"This year's grants will enhance a broad range of aquatic habitat that is the foundation for Michigan's world-class fishing opportunities,” DNR Aquatic Habitat Grant Program Fisheries Division Coordinator Chris Freiburger said. “We’re excited for these projects to get under way and to really make a difference.”
Funding for the Aquatic Habitat Grant Program comes from a portion of the state’s annual fishing and hunting license sales. The current round is the program’s third, and the biggest grant awarded was $430,168 given to the Conservation Resource Alliance for the second phase of the Free Span the Maple River Connectivity Initiative. The alliance won a second grant, of $200,000, for its Bridging the Jordan River Restoration. Other grant winners were: the Barry Conservation District, for the Cedar Creek Aquatic Habitat Restoration; the Jackson County Parks Department for the Lime Lake Restoratioin; the DNR’s Parks and Recreation Division for the W. G. Milliken State Park Pocket March with River Connection; and the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa Indians for the Boardman River Dam Removal Monitoring project.