NOAA says it will devote $15.8 million to projects designed to improve fish habitat in the Great Lakes region. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is sponsoring the projects through its Marine Fisheries Service. Goals include restoring nearly 1,000 acres of marsh and wetland habitat and opening more than 34 stream miles for fish passage.
The program will benefit more than 40 species of fish, including lake whitefish, northern pike, and walleye.
One project will focus on degraded and eroded areas near Stony and Celeron islands in the Detroit River. Another will restore water flow to historic rapids habitat in the St. Mary’s River near Sault Ste. Marie.
NOAA also is supporting a long-term effort to remove toxic PCBs from the Manistique River in the Upper Peninsula.
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