Paw Paw River Watershed will benefit from two year MDEQ grant
For the past two years, a group of stakeholders has been meeting and talking about efforts to increase awareness, education, and protection of the Paw Paw River. Now it will no longer be just talk, with a $216,087 grant from MDEQ, the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission (SWMPC) will be facilitating a project over the next two years that will result in a Watershed Management Plan for the Paw Paw River Watershed. Along with this planning effort, there will be several educational opportunities (such as workshops and newsletters) for landowners and municipal officials in the watershed.

Marcy Colclough, Senior Planner at SWMPC says she “is amazed at the level of interest and the synergy surrounding this project.” She adds, “so many people are on board and supportive of the efforts. I have never seen this level of interest in a watershed project and from such a diverse group of individuals, agencies, and organizations. I really believe that it is a testament to the incredible resources and natural areas in the Paw Paw River Watershed. People just love this river system and want to see it protected and managed well.”

The original partners in the grant proposal included: SWMPC, The Nature Conservancy, Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy, Van Buren Conservation District, St. Joseph River Conservation District, Sarett Nature Center, Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, Almena Township, Watervliet City and Township, Hartford City and Township, Coloma City, Coloma Charter Township, Hagar Township, Benton Charter Township, Coloma/Watervliet Area Economic Development Corporation and Van Buren Intermediate School District. These partners committed almost $55,000 worth of local in-kind match to the project over two years.

The SWMPC will be working to increase the involvement in the watershed planning project. Matt Meersman, Associate Planner at SWMPC explains, “It is essential to include all stakeholders in the development and implementation of a successful watershed management plan. Everyone brings a different perspective to the table. The goal will be to create a common vision for the watershed and to manage it in a way that allows for growth and development, but also protects the water and other natural and cultural resources within the watershed.”