WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will be providing $275,000 to the Superior Watershed Partnership, a Marquette community group that focuses on the protection and restoration of the rivers and watersheds of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.   Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) praised the funding, saying it would greatly benefit the Marquette area and all of the Upper Peninsula.

“Superior Watershed Partnership is doing important work in the areas of dam removals, habitat restoration, native plant re-introduction and shoreline stabilization,” Stupak said.  “This funding will allow the Superior Watershed Partnership to implement a number of innovative pollution prevention programs addressing pharmaceutical waste, electronic waste, household hazardous waste, mercury, and more”.

The funding was made available as part of the EPA’s Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) grant program.  The CARE program is a community-based, community-driven program that builds partnerships to help the public understand and reduce toxic risks from numerous sources.   Superior Watershed Partnership qualified for one of the larger EPA grants, which are designed to support communities that have already established broad-based partnerships. 

“Superior Watershed Partnership is making important strides in improving the water quality of the Marquette community and throughout the U.P.,” Stupak noted.  “I am pleased to see this funding go through.”

Carl Lindquist, Executive Director of Superior Watershed Partnership, said his group appreciated Stupak’s support of the program. 

“Competition for these grants can be fierce,” Lindquist noted.  “There are many deserving applicants and it helps to have strong advocates in Washington on your side.  This funding will allow the Upper Peninsula to continue to be a leader in pollution protection and in protecting the Great Lakes.”

More information about Superior Watershed Partnership may be obtained at http://www.superiorwatersheds.org/

Michigan’s First Congressional District has 1,613 miles of shoreline, more than any other Congressional District in the nation except Alaska.  In Congress, Stupak has taken a lead role in protecting the Great Lakes by, among other efforts, authoring legislation that banned oil and gas drilling in and under the Great Lakes. 

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