March 2016

 

Table of Contents

41.8 Million Transportation Program Underway
10th Annual Macatawa River Clean-up
Agricultural Projects in the Watershed
Transportation Open House

41.8 Million Transportation Program Underway

The MACC’s 2016 transportation program contains $41.8 million in federal, state and local funding to implement 24 projects/programs. The largest project, reconstruction of US 31 (8th St.-Quincy St.) began earlier this month (see the US-31 Project page for more details). Significant 2016 local road/nonmotorized projects receiving federal funding allocated by the MACC include:

136^th Avenue  (Riley St. – Quincy St.)
Federal Funding Awarded: $912,000
136th Avenue (shown n. of Riley St.) will be reconstructed and widened from 2 to 3 lanes with curb and gutter. The project is scheduled to begin in May and completed in the in late October. Significant water main/sanitary sewer work will also be completed as part of this project.

 

Port Sheldon Street  (US31-120^th Ave.)
Federal Funding awarded: $550,000
Port Sheldon St. (shown e. of US 31) will be resurfaced this summer.

 

 

Fairview Road Path (Main St. -Washington Ave.)
Federal Funding awarded: $136,000
A non-motorized pathway will be constructed on the east side of Fairview
Road connecting to existing paths on Main St. and Washington Ave.

 

The MACC 2016 Transportation Improvement Projects list contains all the road,
bridge, transit and nonmotorized projects in the MACC area receiving federal funding.

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10th Annual Macatawa River Clean-up

Please join us for an afternoon of cleaning up the Macatawa River!

Volunteers, both in and out of the water, will be working along the shores of
the river at Kollen Park, VanBragt Park and Dunton Park. A limited number
of seats will be available in boats. All boats, paddles and life vests will be provided. Anyone under 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult.

When: Saturday, April 30
Time: 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Where: Kollen Park (240 Kollen Park Drive Holland, MI 49423)

Pre-Registration is Required
To register, please contact the
Outdoor Discovery Center Macatawa Greenway
616-393-9453

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Agricultural Projects in the Watershed

Following the successful implementation of agricultural practices in 2015, this year is shaping up to surpass last year’s accomplishments. The MACC continues to work with local farmers towards implementing agricultural best management practices (BMPs). The MACC is currently administering one grant that provides technical and financial assistance to farmers in specific areas of the watershed to install certain conservation practices. The MACC was awarded this $241,822 grant in December 2013 to implement specific agricultural BMPs in the top 3 sediment producing subwatersheds (Peters Creek, Upper Macatawa and North Branch). The BMPs that are approved for this grant include cover crops, residue management and gypsum application. The grant is scheduled to end in September 2016 and funding is still available to implement approved practices.

Funding for this grant comes from the Great Lakes Commission Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. The Great Lakes Commission promotes the orderly, integrated and comprehensive development, use and conservation of water and natural resources of the Great Lakes Basin.

In addition, in partnership with Project Clarity, the MACC continues to work throughout the watershed implementing these BMPs, as well as engineered best management practices such as two-stage ditches, water and sediment control basins, and grassed waterways.

Last year saw the completion of three new two-stage ditches, and a large scale WASCOB. In addition, funding was cost-shared by Project Clarity for the purchase of two cover crops planters. This year is already looking to surpass this, with 10 water control projects currently being planned.

For those interested in the GLRI-GLC grant or looking to work with the MACC and Project Clarity, contact Agricultural Technician Aaron Spicer at the MACC.

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Transportation Open House

The MACC is hosting an open-house to receive input on the upcoming four-year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The TIP contains the projects scheduled to receive federal transportation funds.