Ottawa County conservation efforts get a boost with state water quality grants

HOLLAND — Michigan’s waterways are set for a cleaner future as the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy recently announced nearly $100,000 in funding for stream restoration and monitoring.

Leading the charge in West Michigan, Ottawa County and the Outdoor Discovery Center Network have secured critical funding to protect local water health, totaling more than $25,000 of the awarded funds.

The grants are part of the Michigan Clean Water Corps Program, a statewide initiative that pairs government funding with local volunteerism to collect vital ecological data and remove man-made debris from Michigan’s river systems.

Ottawa County a key recipient

Ottawa County emerged as a substantial beneficiary in this year's funding cycle, receiving support for both immediate physical cleanup and long-term scientific monitoring.

The Ottawa County Office of the Water Resources Commissioner was awarded $3,359 through the Volunteer Stream Cleanup Program. This funding, generated by the sale of Michigan’s specialty water quality license plates, will be used to mobilize volunteers to remove trash and debris from local streambanks, preventing pollutants from flowing further into Lake Michigan.

"We are incredibly grateful to receive this grant, which will play a vital role in restoring and protecting our local stream," said Ottawa County Water Resource Officer Joe Bush. "This funding will allow us to remove debris, improve water quality, and create a healthier habitat for wildlife."

Bush oversees the maintenance of more than 1,000 miles of drains across the county's rural and urban areas. Some of these waterways accumulate trash and inorganic debris over time.

The office began hosting volunteer stream cleanup events in fall 2024 and now hosts one event each spring and fall. In 2025, 42 volunteers helped clean more than two miles of the No. 40, No. 15 and 17, and Rush Creek drains, removing more than 10 cubic yards of trash and 10 tires.

The 2026 grant will support two cleanup events. The first is planned for May 13 along portions of the No. 40, No. 28, and No. 9 drains in Holland, which are tributaries of the Macatawa River. The second is planned for Sept. 19 along Rush Creek and the DeWeerd Drain in Georgetown Township, both of which are tributaries of the Grand River.

"Clean waterways are essential to the health of our environment and our community, and this project will have lasting positive impact for future generations," Bush said. "We appreciate the support and partnership in helping preserve our natural resources."

Ottawa County Water Resources is working with the ODC Network, Arrowaste, Rush Creek Watershed Group, Ottawa County Conservation District, Ottawa County Parks, and other partners to recruit volunteers and support the cleanup events. The office aims to recruit 25 volunteers for each event and clean approximately 1.5 miles of drains during each cleanup. 

To sign up for the May 13 event, click here. To be notified of future cleanup events, click here.

On the scientific front, the Ottawa Conservation District in Holland also received a $19,250 implementation grant. The allocation will fund the first two years of a comprehensive volunteer-based monitoring program, focusing on habitat assessments and surveys of "benthic macroinvertebrates" — small aquatic organisms that serve as reliable indicators of overall stream health.

In addition to the county-led efforts, the ODC Network was awarded a $2,991 maintenance grant.

The nonprofit organization, which focuses on advancing outdoor education and conservation, will use the funds to replace aging equipment and sustain its ongoing stream monitoring programs. The efforts will ensure that the data collected by local "citizen scientists" remains consistent and accurate for state water management officials.

The grants are one of 20 awarded statewide this year through the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s Michigan Clean Water Corps Program, which supports stream cleanup and monitoring efforts by local governments and nonprofit organizations.  

"These grants foster local stewardship and a sense of community while providing valuable data used to protect Michigan’s waters," EGLE officials said in a news release.

Since its inception in 2004, the MiCorps program has functioned as a partnership between EGLE and organizations such as Michigan State University Extension to engage the public in resource management.

For residents looking to get involved in local cleanup or monitoring efforts, more information is available through the MiCorps website.