Home / Environment / Detroit River Gets $10M Boost for Cleanup
Detroit River Gets $10M Boost for Cleanup
9 Jun
Summary
- Michigan and EPA launch $10M partnership for river cleanup.
- 800,000 cubic yards of sediment to be dredged.
- Pollution cleanup aims to improve fish consumption and habitat.
Michigan and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have announced a significant $10 million partnership to expedite pollution cleanup efforts along the Detroit River. This collaboration will target the removal of approximately 800,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediment from areas near Belle Isle, Harbortown, and Harbortown-Upstream. The initiative also includes developing broader cleanup goals for the remaining parts of the river.
The Detroit River, historically burdened by industrial pollution, coal plants, and sewage overflows, has been designated an "area of concern." The accumulated pollutants, including PCBs and heavy metals, continue to impact aquatic life, leading to fish consumption warnings and habitat loss.
This new funding, with $6.5 million from the EPA and $3.5 million from Michigan's Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), will accelerate ongoing efforts. Previous projects have already removed substantial amounts of sediment and restored hundreds of acres of habitat, but millions of cubic yards of polluted sediment still require attention.
Future dredging projects are planned for other sections of the river and adjacent waterways like the Rouge River. These efforts, involving various partners, are vital for restoring the Detroit River's ecological health and making it a safer resource for recreation and commerce for future generations.
