The muskegon county drain commissioner will conduct a feasibility study and develop construction designs to reconnect two shallow water lakes, locally known as the mona lake celery flats, to black…

The Muskegon County Drain Commissioner will receive $1,081,014 under a Cooperative Agreement awarded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration within the Department of Commerce. The funding is provided through the Habitat Conservation federal grant program (CFDA 11.463) to conduct a feasibility study and develop construction designs to reconnect two shallow water lakes known as the Mona Lake Celery Flats to Black Creek and subsequently Mona Lake, which connects directly to Lake Michigan. The proposed project aims to increase the resiliency of aquatic species significant to the Great Lakes ecosystem, such as the Great Lakes spotted muskellunge, advancing the goals of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Action Plan III and the environmental priorities of the Lake Michigan Committee. The period of performance is from October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2026.

The muskegon county drain commissioner will conduct a feasibility study and develop construction designs to reconnect two shallow water lakes, locally known as the mona lake celery flats, to black creek and subsequently mona lake, a drowned river mouth that connects directly to lake michigan. The mona lake watershed is located in central-western michigan and has been severely impacted by historic land use practices. The proposed project will increase resiliency of aquatic species, such as the great lakes spotted muskellunge and other species of concern, that are significant to the great lakes ecosystem. This project also advances the goals of focus area 4 of the great lakes restoration initiative action plan III and the environmental priorities of the lake michigan committee.