The Department of Environmental Quality awarded a total of $100,000 in 13 Water Quality Monitoring grants today to assist local governments with inland beach water quality monitoring.

"These grants demonstrate our ongoing effort to partner with local communities to protect our vast water resources," said DEQ Director Steven E. Chester. "By working together, we can ensure that our lakes and streams are protected for generations to come."

The recipients of the funding are:

• The Barry-Eaton District Health Department - $7,000 to monitor 5
  local beaches and 3 state park beaches.
• The Central Michigan District Health Department - $13,079 to
  monitor 20 local beaches and 3 state park beaches in Arenac,
  Clare, Gladwin, Isabella, Osceola, and Roscommon Counties.
• The Chippewa County Health Department - $5,800 to monitor 4
  local beaches, 1 national park beach, and 1 state park beach.
• District Health Department No. 2 - $16,220 to monitor 18 local
  beaches, 3 state park beaches, and 7 DNR access sites in
  Alcona, Iosco, Ogemaw, and Oscoda Counties.
• District Health Department No. 4 - $5,500 to monitor 1 local
  beach and 3 state park beaches in Alpena, Cheboygan, and
  Presque Isle Counties.
• The Genesee County Health Department - $8,000 to monitor 15
  local beaches.
• The Macomb County Health Department - $4,000 to monitor 2
  local beaches.
• The Muskegon County Health Department - $7,983 to monitor 14
  local beaches and 2 state park beaches.
• The Northwest Michigan Community Health Agency - $7,000 to
  monitor 15 local beaches and 2 state park beaches in Antrim,
  Charlevoix, Emmet, and Otsego Counties.
• The Ottawa County Health Department - $7,000 to monitor 7 local
  beaches and 1 state park beach.
• The St. Joseph County Parks and Recreation Department -
  $7,000 to monitor 8 local beaches.
• The Western Upper Peninsula District Health Department -
  $5,800 to monitor 4 local beaches and 2 state park beaches in
  Gogebic, Houghton, and Ontonagon Counties.
• The Wexford County Drain Commissioner - $5,618 to monitor 4
  local beaches and 1 state park beach.

Funding for these grants was made available through the Clean Michigan Initiative-Clean Water Fund.

Editor's note: DEQ news releases are available on the department's Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

"Protecting Michigan's Environment, Ensuring Michigan's Future"

Revised May 5, 2008 by Pat Watson