The agreement provides funding to the alliance of rouge communities

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 awarded a $300,000 Project Grant on July 15, 2025, to the Alliance of Rouge Communities under the Geographic Programs - Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (CFDA 66.469) program. The grant funds the development of comprehensive design plans for habitat restoration at Patton Park in Wayne County, Michigan, targeting the Rouge River Watershed, which is designated as an Area of Concern with three beneficial use impairments related to fish and wildlife habitat degradation. Deliverables include a Quality Assurance Project Plan, topographic survey, wetland delineation, threatened and endangered species assessment, geotechnical investigation, historic properties review, permitting support, and final engineering designs. The project is scheduled for completion by December 31, 2026.

The anticipated outcomes of this planning initiative include the production of preliminary and final technical plans and specifications, along with state permitting documentation to facilitate subsequent habitat restoration implementation. By advancing these design and permitting activities, the grant supports the broader Great Lakes Restoration Initiative objective of removing habitat-related beneficial use impairments and facilitating the potential delisting of the Rouge River Area of Concern. Primary beneficiaries include Wayne County citizens and the Rouge River Watershed ecosystem. No sub-awards are included in this assistance agreement.

Specifically, the recipient will produce design plans for habitat restoration at patton park in wayne county, MI. This project will support the rouge river watershed, a designated area of concern (AOC) that has three beneficial use impairments (BUIS) associated with fish and wildlife habitat: degraded fish and wildlife populations, degradation of benthos, loss of fish and wildlife habitat. Activities:the activities include developing a quality assurance project plan, topographic survey, wetland delineation, threatened and endangered species assessment, geotechnical investigation, historic properties review, permitting, and final engineering designs.subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include preliminary engineering, final technical plans and specifications, and state permitting to allow for implementation. The expected outcomes include aiding in the removal of the habitat BUIS and delisting the AOC. The intended beneficiaries include the citizens of wayne county and the rouge river watershed.