The flint river restoration is a long-term project key to the revitalization of the riverfront in downtown flint, michigan

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service awarded a $2,117,897.30 Project Grant on October 1, 2024 under the Fish and Aquatic Conservation - Aquatic Invasive Species program (CFDA 15.608) to the County of Genesee in Flint, Michigan. The Flint River Restoration project aims to open nearly 25 miles of streams to fish passage, improve in-channel habitat, and support spawning runs of lake sturgeon and walleye. Key objectives include providing fish passage, naturalizing the project reach, stabilizing stream banks, and improving recreational access. Deliverables include reconnecting 24.73 miles of the Flint River to Lake Huron for the first time in 100 years, producing permitting and design reports, and conducting extensive public outreach. This long-term project supports the revitalization of the Flint riverfront and provides outdoor recreational opportunities for underserved communities.

In-river components of the project will open nearly 25 miles of streams to fish passage, improve in-channel habitat, and support spawning runs of lake sturgeon and walleye. The project also meets the priorities of the city of flint and genesee county in providing outdoor recreational opportunities for underserved communities, as well as RE-vitalizing the downtown corridor. Objectives:1) provide volitional fish passage upstream through the project reach by removing existing barriers.2) naturalize the project reach to extent practical.3) improve conveyance and avoid incremental water surface elevation increases that result in flood risk impacts.4) stabilize stream banks along project reach.5) provide angling access and improve safe boating potential through the project reach.6) implement riverfront park improvements along downtown riverbanks. Deliverables:1) reconnect upstream access to 5 miles of the main branch of the flint river and portions of main tributaries, resulting in 24.73 reconnected stream miles to lake huron for the first time in 100 years. 2) reports and investigation data are limited to those analyses required for permitting and design due diligence.3) public outreach is a substantial component of the design effort, with project updates, schedule, designinformation, renderings, etc. Regularly provided via meetings and multiple media platforms.