Ontonagon Dam Removal Now Funded

Four DNR Dam Management Grant Program recipients to share $350,000
Projects in Allegan, Berrien, Crawford and Ontonagon counties will receive funding

The Department of Natural Resources recently announced it has approved four Dam Management Grant Program projects totaling $350,000. These projects will help remove obsolete structures or repair functioning dams, resulting in improved fisheries, aquatic resources and public safety.

The four projects funded this year were:

• The DNR Wildlife Division, which was awarded $102,050 to provide further assistance to fund the Otsego Dam removal project located on the Kalamazoo River (Allegan County).
• The city of Niles, which was awarded $90,750 to provide further assistance to fund the Pucker Street Dam removal project located on the Dowagiac River (Berrien County).
• The DNR Parks and Recreation Division, which was awarded $53,800 to fund the Union Springs Dam removal located in the Porcupine Mountains (Ontonagon County).
• The DNR Fisheries Division, which was awarded $103,400 to fund the Big Creek Impoundment repair project (Crawford County).

This grant program was designed and launched in late 2012 to support Gov. Rick Snyder’s initiative concerning local infrastructure needs, and is funded by General Fund dollars appropriated by the Legislature for this purpose. A committee consisting of DNR and Department of Environmental Quality staff, along with local fisheries biologists and technical experts, reviewed the proposals.

“Grants awarded this year will enhance aquatic environments and fishing opportunities in Michigan,” said Chris Freiburger, coordinator of the DNR’s Dam Management Grant Program. “They will also reduce long-term infrastructure costs and improve public safety throughout the state.”

Anyone interested in learning more about the Dam Management Grant Program, including detailed descriptions of the approved grant projects, should visit michigan.gov/dnr-grants.