The DEQ and Great Lakes Commission today announced more than $32,000 in grants to fund river, stream and creek cleanup events for volunteers around the state.

Michigan’s Volunteer River, Stream, and Creek Cleanup Program provides $500 to $5,000 grants to local units of government to clean up and improve Michigan’s waters. Local governments often partner with nonprofit organizations or other volunteer groups for the cleanups, which include removal of trash and other debris from streams and stream banks. Removal of natural materials like fallen trees, branches and rocks is not allowed to ensure the continued health of the waterway.

The groups selected to receive funding in 2016 include:

• Huron River Watershed Council, “Huron River Coordinated Cleanups” – $3,800
• City of Grand Rapids, “13th Annual Mayors’ Grand River Cleanup” – $3,750
• City of Muskegon Heights, “Little Black Creek Clean Up” – $3,150
• Barry Conservation District, “21st Annual Thornapple River Cleanup” – $2,300
• City of Grand Haven, “6th Annual Ottawa County Cleanup” – $2,250
• Grayling Charter Township, “Au Sable River Cleanup“ – $2,203.13
• Ingham Conservation District, “Lansing Rivers Cleanup” – $2,174.80
• Iron River Downtown Development Authority, “Iron River Cleanup” – $2,025
• St. Joseph County Conservation District, “2016 River Clean Up” – $1,743
• Shiawassee County Health Department, “21st Annual Shiawassee River Cleanup” – $1,710
• Petoskey Department of Parks and Recreation, “Healing the Bear River Cleanup” – $1,565
• Macatawa Area Coordinating Council, “10th Annual Macatawa River Cleanup“ – $1,462.50
• Grand Traverse Conservation District, “12th Annual Boardman River Clean Sweep” – $1,394
• City of Battle Creek, “2016 Krazy for the Kazoo” – $1,125
• Benzie Conservation District, “Betsie River and Platte River Clean Sweeps” – $885
• Tuscola Conservation District, “8th Annual Cass River Cleanup” – $715

The cleanup grant program began in 1998 and is funded by the sale of the state’s water quality protection license plates. Grants are administered by the Great Lakes Commission, under contract with the DEQ. These grants help foster local stewardship and a sense of community while protecting Michigan’s waters.

For more information, visit www.glc.org/projects/water-quality/streamclean/.