Michigan Department of Environmental Quality Awards $285,000 to Grow the State’s Water Trail Network

The state’s DEQ has awarded grants totaling $285,000 to map and promote water trails in Michigan.

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality is funding the mapping of water trails on the Huron and Clinton Rivers and other bodies of water across the state.The department is providing more than $250,000 to communities to promote and improve coastal trails. Ronda Wuycheck is the Coastal Zone Management Program Manager for the DEQ. She says the grants are designed to help areas generate tourism activity.

“A coastal community can work with us to develop, map and market the bigger picture of trails within their community. So linear trails, bike trails, water trails, and really what that trail town is doing is becoming more of a marketable spot.” 

-Ronda Wuycheck, Michigan DEQ

Wuycheck says the funding could lead to signage, maps or increased development along a state waterway. She says the grants are part of the DEQ’s overall water strategy to promote and protect Michigan’s lakes and rivers. 

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