August 19, 2009


The $3.75 million grant awarded by the US Army Corps of Engineers to reduce sedimentation and improve water quality in the Red Run Drain was welcomed news to Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner John P. McCulloch.

“Working closely with Congressman Sander Levin and U.S. Senator Carl Levin, my office was able to identify critical areas that would benefit from additional funding,” McCulloch said. “The $210,000 for design work related to shoal removal and streambank stabilization along the Clinton River and an additional $3.54 million for construction of improvements on the Red Run Drain will help both Oakland and Macomb counties.

“We did our part to significantly reduce discharges to the Red Run Drain and the Clinton River,” McCulloch said. “But more needs to be done. These new grants will enable us to continue the work we’ve begun to prevent pollution from entering the river.”

McCulloch explained that even with the improvements to the George W. Kuhn Retention and Treatment Facility in Madison Heights, there still was a problem with sedimentation in both the Red Run Drain and Clinton River. In addition, heavy rains would take its toll on the river banks which suffered severe erosion and contributed to the creation of shoals that impeded water flow in the channel, especially in downstream Macomb County.

“These additional dollars will allow us to remove shoals in the Red Run Drain and work on critical streambank stabilization projects,” McCulloch said.

“Because my office has worked so closely with Congressman Levin over the years, we were able to quickly respond to the President’s request for “Shovel Ready Projects,” McCulloch said.
“This project will eliminate pollution; restore the natural habitat; all while creating the jobs we need in Michigan.”

Congressman Levin added, “We’ve made a lot of progress on reducing pollution in the Clinton River, but there is a critical need to address the build-up of sediment in the watershed. Today’s announcement that the Corps will commit $3.75 million to the Red Run Drain restoration effort will substantially reduce sedimentation, open up water flow, and improve water quality downstream.”