LANSING, MI (AP)-- State officials have awarded nearly $33,000 in grants to pay for river, stream and creek cleanups around Michigan.
The program provides grants of $500 to $5,000 to local governments for the projects, which typically involve removing trash and other debris from streams and stream banks. Nonprofit organizations or other groups often take part.
The cleanup grant program began in 1998 and is funded by sale of the state's water quality protection license plates.
Grants are administered by the Great Lakes Commission, under contract with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.
Sixteen local government units were awarded grants. Many went to watershed councils or conservation districts.