The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has awarded $892,200 in Fisheries Habitat Grants to 10 conservation projects across the state.
The funding will support habitat rehabilitation and fish passage improvements at locations in 10 counties: Allegan, Calhoun, Cheboygan, Crawford, Grand Traverse, Manistee, Newaygo, Oceana, Shiawassee and Wayne. Partner organizations are contributing more than $240,000 in matching funds, bringing the total conservation value to over $1.1 million.
The funded projects include dam removal and repair, fish habitat conservation, and resource assessment studies. Five of the projects are among those the DNR identified as Priority Habitat Conservation Projects important to sustaining healthy fisheries. Seven of the 10 selected projects directly support priorities outlined in Michigan's Wildlife Action Plan.
The grants were funded through fishing license sales, which contributed $542,200, with an additional $350,000 in state general funds allocated for dam management grants applied to two projects this year.
A separate allocation of $50,000 in Fisheries Habitat Grant funds was used as matching money for a $5 million federal America's Ecosystem Restoration Initiative grant aimed at removing over 27 dams and barriers to fish passage statewide.
According to the DNR, the funded projects will contribute to fish migration in more than 147 miles of Michigan streams and support the removal or replacement of five dams.