The Michigan Department of Natural Resources awarded a $75,000 grant through the Dam Management Grant Program to Conservation Resource Alliance. This award was part of $3.35M awarded through this program in 2017 to help remove obsolete structures or repair functioning dams resulting in improved fisheries, aquatic resources and public safety.

Recipients of $3.35 million from DNR's Dam Management Grant Program announced 

Contact Michigan DNR: Elle Gulotty, 906-228-6561 or Chip Kosloski, 517-284-5965

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has approved four Dam Management Grant Program projects totaling $3.35 million. 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:

• Genesee County was awarded $3 million to address removal of Hamilton Dam, one of Michigan’s most critical high hazard dams, and Fabri Dam. Both of these removals will contribute to a larger revitalization plan for the Flint River corridor.
• Conservation Resource Alliance was awarded $75,000 to address removal of Sabin Dam on the Boardman River (Grand Traverse County). This project is part of a larger effort that also includes removal of Boardman and Brown Bridge dams.
• DNR Wildlife Division was awarded $75,000 to allow for the design of a water control structure to replace Trowbridge Dam, which is a deteriorating dam on the Kalamazoo River (Allegan County). This dam is considered a high hazard dam by the Department of Environmental Quality.
• DNR Parks and Recreation Division was awarded $200,000 to repair O’Neal Lake Dam, a state-owned dam on Big Sucker Creek (Emmet County). This repair will enhance recreation, improve wildlife habitat and increase opportunities for wild rice growth.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 fund projects that enhance aquatic environments and fishing opportunities in Michigan,” said Elle Gulotty, coordinator of the Dam Management Grant Program. “The funded projects will also reduce long-term infrastructure costs and improve public safety throughout the state.”

For more information on the Dam Management Grant Program, including detailed descriptions of previous grant-funded projects, visit michigan.gov/dnr-grants.