 Pictured here is the Kalamazoo River near the Rose Park Veteran's Memorial on E. Michigan Ave. (photo by Tess McEnroe / Kalamazoo Gazette) |
Monday, June 9, people gathered at Rose Park in Kalamazoo, Michigan to celebrate the continuing restoration of the Kalamazoo River.
"I heard the current," said state Senator Patty Birkholz (R-Saugatuck) "and I said, 'Thank you, Lord."
The river cleanup has been a large and ongoing project that has overcome many financial roadblocks as several of the companies paying for the work became bankrupt. Georgia-Pacific and Millenium Holdings have paid $25 million for this phase of the work. The river was heavily contaminated with PCB's in the past and the sediments have all been dredged and cleaned.
Also, remnants of the old dam and powerhouse have been demolished, and more than 2,000 trees, shrubs and plants planted. Participants were excited to be told that plans for restoring the 2.5 mile stretch north of Plainwell will be announced very soon. That section is expected to need $10 million worth of work.
Jim Saric, EPA project manager, explained that the Plainwell section will require two years of work, and studies will continue downstream, "toward Otsego, laying the groundwork for the march of the cleanup to continue all the way to Lake Michigan." An advisory about eating fish from the Kalamazoo is still in effect according to the DEC.
Many miles of attractive river are open to paddling as the Kalamazoo nears Lake Michigan. It is hoped that the continuing cleanup will eventually open the entire length of the river to recreation.
See Portions of Kalamazoo River Reopened for Public Use
See Kalamazoo River Webline
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