Environmental Protection Efforts Expand with New State Water Quality Grant

Alison Rankin | May 11, 2026

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PORT HURON- The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy has officially awarded a specialized grant to the Friends of the St. Clair River, providing financial support for ongoing regional water quality initiatives.

The funding, totaling $2,999, is part of the 2026 Michigan Clean Water Corps program, a statewide network designed to support volunteer-led conservation efforts. The grant is specifically designated for the organization’s Stream Team, which conducts critical monitoring of local waterways to assess ecological health and track long-term environmental trends.

The funds will be used to support volunteer stream cleanups and assist with the collection of benthic macroinvertebrates, bottom-dwelling organisms such as snails, worms, and larval insects.

By identifying and counting these species, environmental teams can assign water quality scores to local creeks and rivers, helping determine which waterways require restoration efforts and which remain in strong ecological condition.

The work remains especially important within the St. Clair River watershed, a major freshwater resource serving communities throughout Michigan’s Thumb Coast region.

The Friends of the St. Clair River, which has led local environmental stewardship efforts since 2007, will also use the grant to help cover monitoring equipment costs and coordinate community outreach events.

Officials say the continued efforts help preserve progress made within the St. Clair River Area of Concern while supporting healthier fish, bird, and insect populations throughout the watershed.

The latest funding announcement reflects an ongoing commitment to protecting the region’s 40 miles of river habitat for future generations.

Sources: Michigan.gov.