The Great Lakes Commission (GLC), U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman and others last week celebrated the completion of the Little Rapids Restoration Project at an event in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
The project, which reestablished the flow of water to the Little Rapids for the first time in more than 50 years, was led by the GLC in coordination with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Chippewa County Road Commission, and the Eastern Upper Peninsula Regional Planning and Development Commission, and made possible by funding from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
“The success of this project shows how important continued support for the bipartisan Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is,” said Rep. Bergman, who serves on the House Great Lakes Task Force .
“The GLRI has already funded more than 760 projects across the state of Michigan. The restoration of the Little Rapids will not only benefit fish and wildlife in the St. Marys River, it will also help revitalize tourism and sport fishing opportunities in Sault Ste. Marie and across the U.P. Congratulations to all that played a role in completing this important work.”
The Little Rapids restoration was completed under a NOAA Regional Partnership, a unique funding mechanism that allows key projects to receive essential funding and work in close collaboration with local and state groups.