Michigan announced an $89 million commitment to clean up and restore the Detroit River, Kalamazoo River and other waterways across the state, addressing decades of industrial contamination.
The initiative, led by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy and the Department of Natural Resources, will support sediment cleanup, habitat restoration and expanded public access to the rivers. According to the state, the rivers run through some of Michigan's most populated communities and have been affected by decades of industrial contamination including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), mercury and other pollutants.
Nearly $50 million of the commitment will support PCB cleanup in the Detroit River, with the state leveraging a federal match of nearly 2-to-1 under the bipartisan Great Lakes Legacy Act. The remaining $25 million from the Morrow Dam settlement will support sediment, habitat and riverfront projects in the Kalamazoo River watershed, including planned dam removals and stream restoration in communities such as Allegan, Otsego, Plainwell, Swan Creek and Trowbridge. An additional fund of more than $14 million will support restoration projects across Michigan, including dam removal, stream and wetland restoration, fish and wildlife habitat improvements and efforts to reduce fish consumption advisories.
In the Detroit River, investments will focus on completing sediment cleanup, restoring fish and wildlife habitats, expanding boating access, enhancing Belle Isle and other public lands and completing gaps in the Iron Belle Trail. The Detroit riverfront draws an estimated 3 million visitors annually. The work will support the river's walleye fishery and efforts to reduce fish consumption advisories.
The state has established joint project teams for the Detroit and Kalamazoo rivers that will work with local governments, Tribes, community organizations, industry, nonprofits and residents to develop short- and long-term plans for each watershed.