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The Annis Water Resources Institute (AWRI) of Grand Valley State University received funds from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) for a two-year project to reduce the negative impact that pollutants are having on the watershed through the development and initial implementation of a stakeholder-driven watershed management plan. The watershed management plan will identify nonpoint source pollutants (pollution caused when rain, snowmelt, or wind carry pollutants off the land into the waterbodies), their existing potential sources, and the cause for the pollution. Within the plan there will be recommendations on controlling the pollutants identified. These recommendations will include both physical improvements (i.e. possibly planting of vegetation along the river bank, fencing around streams to keep cattle out, etc.) in the watershed and non-physical improvements (i.e. possibly looking at improving existing master plans/ordinances to include natural resource protection, educational materials for riparian owners on the Natural Rivers Act, etc.). Development of a plan also involves the creation of an education strategy to inform stakeholders of nonpoint source pollution concerns and steps that can be taken to control these pollution sources.

To develop an effective plan for the watershed there needs to be stakeholder involvement. If you would like to be involved in this project please contact the Project Manager. We would appreciate any input that you as a White River Watershed stakeholder can provide.