Press Releases

Yesterday, Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-02) released the following statement after the EPA announced that the Macatawa Area Coordinating Council (MACC) would be receiving a $400,145 federal grant through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. MACC will partner with the City of Holland to reduce runoff and improve water quality in the Macatawa Watershed by installing bioswales and permeable pavement at Holland City Hall and Kollen Park as well as additional biofiltration measures along city parkways. In total these steps are expected to filter and capture nearly 3 million gallons of stormwater annually.

“The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has played a critical role in revitalizing the Macatawa Watershed,” said Congressman Bill Huizenga who serves as Co-Chair of the House Great Lakes Task Force Bill Huizenga. “Congratulations to the Macatawa Area Coordinating Council on successfully being awarded another competitive grant to improve water quality for residents of the City of Holland and Ottawa County.”

“The key to restoring the health of the Great Lakes in the coming years is to lower the amount of fertilizer and stormwater runoff entering the region’s waterways,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “These grants will help more farmers make the shift toward more no-till agricultural methods that, when properly practiced, result in less top-soil erosion and better water quality.”

“Today’s grants will help us combat excess nutrients and improve water quality in the Great Lakes basin,” said Region 5 Administrator and Great Lakes National Program Manager Kurt Thiede. “GLRI is funding projects that will reduce excess nutrient runoff using a variety of approaches, including stream restoration, green infrastructure design, managing manure application and engagement with farmers.”