In January 2006, the Watershed Center started work on a two-year $199,000 grant to continue our work implementing key portions of the Grand Traverse Bay Watershed Protection Plan. The grant will provide funding for the installation of stormwater best management practices at three Traverse City storm drain outfalls and allow the Watershed Center to implement several educational campaigns. Project and funding partners for this project are the City of Traverse City and Garfield Township. Matching funds for this project amount to $63,000.

Specific tasks include installing new stormwater control and filtering products at three Traverse City storm drains in Grand Traverse Bay: the drain just west of the Holiday Inn; the drain at the foot of Eighth Street on East Bay and a small drain in East Bay Park (also called Milliken Park). “East Bay property owners have been concerned about the Eighth Street drain for several years,” states Tim Lodge, Traverse City’s engineer. “We are glad we finally have the funds to address the problems there.”

Other tasks include a public information campaign that will strengthen existing efforts to reduce stormwater impacts and efforts to protect clean water from other priority pollutants in our watershed, including pathogens. Publications and outreach tours in 2006 and 2007 will be an integral part of the campaign. In addition, TWC will be partnering with Garfield Township and others to develop a booklet for developers introducing low-impact design techniques including information regarding cost impacts. The book will be tailored to conditions specific to Northern Michigan, such as soil types, topography and proximity to water.

TWC will also offer simple evaluations and recommendations to residents about how to better control stormwater on their own property.

Click on the following links to learn more about specific work to be accomplished as part of this grant. All work for this grant is expected to be complete by December 2007.