Clinton River Watershed Council Protects Local Water Quality, Resources for 39th Year

For 39 years, the Clinton River Watershed Council has worked with local government, schools and volunteers to protect the water quality and natural resources of the Clinton River watershed.

This year, joins 52 other units of government as members of the CRWC with a commitment to protect and restore this vital, albeit forgotten, contributor to life in the area.

“Obviously, it [the Clinton River watershed] affects [residents’] quality of life,” said Michael Koehs, Macomb Township clerk. “What do I do with this drain in my backyard? I have to work with county drain commission and talk to the township, but how do I keep it clean, encourage habitat? I can contact the council.”

The CRWC is a nonprofit organization that has dedicated almost 40 years of service to the preservation of the Clinton River watershed, which consists of the Clinton River, its river basin and Lake St. Clair.

The organization boasts 1,089 members, an ever-growing list of sponsors and 500 volunteers, who assist the CRWC “to protect, enhance and celebrate” a vital natural resource—water.

Michele Arquette-Palermo first began working with the CRWC as a volunteer. She is now the director of education and stewardship.

“I think what some people may be surprised about is some of the little things they can do at their own homes and where they work to help preserve water quality,” Arquette-Palermo said. “Something as simple as sweeping fertilizer off of the sidewalk and onto the lawn. Understanding the connection between the storm drain outside their home and in their street and understanding that that storm drain dumps into the nearest body of water.”

Watershed management and storm water education are specialties of the CRWC.

Employees of the council make presentations at a variety of institutions and lead participants in programs such as Adopt-A-Stream and Stream Leaders.

But anyone and everyone can get involved in the CRWC and its work.

Becoming a member is as simple as registering and paying online. An individual membership costs $35 and students can register for $10. Right now the CRWC is looking for more Adopt-A-Stream volunteers, and training information is listed on the website with training sites throughout the watershed.

As the local population increases in an area, the water quality in the same area often decreases.

Storm water runoff poses a continuous threat throughout the watershed, so in recognition of this reality, the core values of the CRWC include water quality and quantity, land use, economy and the environment, stewardship and a watershed-wide view “uniquely positioned to achieve [the] vision for the river.”

“The cleaner we leave our surface water, the less work and energy we have to put into cleaning that water so we can drink it; the filters don’t have to work as hard, we don’t have to come up with the technology to remove all these things from our water,” Arquette-Palermo said.

She added that improvement of the state of the river water and the restoration of other resources are vital to enriching the welfare and health of each and every watershed resident, as the watershed itself covers about 75 percent of Macomb County.

Wetland of many forms can be found in the Clinton River and its tributaries, and an approximate 1.4 million people, living in 60 rural, suburban and urban communities, witness its flow.

The CRWC is active throughout the year guiding individuals, businesses, community groups and local governments to get involved.

“As the clerk, I can tell you when we need to consult with them in regards to planning, zoning and development, or seeking data or information in regards to water, we have gotten and continue to get good support from this organization,” Koehs said. “They certainly know their business; it is important to maintain that membership [in the CRWC], because it supports a group that provides back to us to make sure we are developing things in Macomb Township.”

For updates on the state of the river, volunteer and employment opportunities, education materials, membership information, to join the e-mail list or find more information, visit the website.