The agreement provides funding to the alliance of rouge communities

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 awarded the Alliance of Rouge Communities a Project Grant of $1,202,670 under the Geographic Programs - Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (CFDA 66.469) on August 1, 2025, to implement habitat restoration at Merriman Park in Wayne County, Michigan. The project will restore approximately 5 acres of wetland, wet prairie, and riparian habitat to improve conditions for native wildlife species, including avian, herpetofauna, aquatic macroinvertebrate, and pollinator populations. This initiative supports the Rouge River Watershed, a designated Area of Concern with three beneficial use impairments related to fish and wildlife habitat degradation.

Deliverables under this award include contractor bid documents, a maintenance plan, Wayne County permits, and construction of the 5-acre habitat restoration. The project, which extends through December 31, 2028, will support the removal of designated beneficial use impairments and contribute to eventual delisting of the Area of Concern. The intended beneficiaries include Wayne County citizens and the broader Rouge River Watershed. No sub-awards are included in this assistance agreement, with all implementation activities conducted directly by the Alliance of Rouge Communities.

Specifically, the recipient will implement habitat restoration at merriman park in wayne county, michigan (MI), restoring approximately 5 acres of wetland/wet prairie/riparian habitat that will improve habitat conditions for wildlife, particularly native avian, herpetofauna, aquatic macroinvertebrates, and pollinator species. This project supports the rouge river watershed, a designated area of concern (AOC) with three beneficial use impairments (buis) associated with fish and wildlife habitat.activities:the activities include securing contractor bid documents, selecting a contractor, and implementing the habitat restoration project.subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include bid documents, maintenance plan, wayne county permit, and construction of 5.0 acres of habitat. The expected outcomes include aiding in the removal of the degraded fish and wildlife populations, degradation of benthos, and loss of fish and wildlife habitat buis and eventual delisting the AOC. The intended beneficiaries include the citizens of wayne county and the rouge river watershed.