DETROIT — Overcast skies and a sprinkling of rain that fell over Sunset Point on Belle Isle on Thursday afternoon failed to dim the excitement from government officials as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer joined the heads of the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy to announce a substantial investment into the cleanup of two major waterways.
Alongside EGLE Director Phil Roos and DNR Director Scott Bowen, Whitmer unveiled the state’s Reclaim the Rivers initiative, which is committing $89 million in environmental settlement funds for the clean up and restoration of the Detroit and Kalamazoo rivers.
“This is a big deal,” Whitmer said during the announcement in Detroit. “Together, we will continue our work to protect wildlife, reduce pollution, and ensure every Michigander can enjoy beautiful places just like this all across our great state, our state is defined by water. It’s who we are, and it’s up to us to protect it, all of it, from our Great Lakes to our local rivers.”…