(Kevin Roell/GEI Consultants of Michigan photo) A fisheries habitat grant of $250,000 and a dam risk reduction grant of $750,00 will help fund replacement of the Republic Dam in southern Marquette County with a rock-arch rapids that will allow fish passage into the 6,400-acre Michigamme Reservoir and upstream for 40 miles. Other funding includes a $100,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and $350,000 from a millage passed by Republic Township.

MARQUETTE — The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is awarding over $1.7 million in Fisheries Habitat Grants for conservation projects on lakes and streams statewide, including $250,000 to replace the Republic Dam on the Michigamme River in southern Marquette County.

The funds are matched by more than $3.2 million in partner contributions, for a total conservation value of about $5 million.

The projects will rehabilitate and protect valuable fish habitats. The Republic project, which will also receive $750,000 through the state’s Dam Risk Reduction Grant Program, will replace the dam with a rock-arch rapids that will allow fish passage into the 6,400-acre Michigamme Reservoir and upstream for 40 miles.

The Michigamme River Basin Authority is a partner on the project The new structure is designed to handle flooding events but also allow for river connectivity with a series of step pools in the rock arch rapids.

Other funding includes a $100,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and $350,000 from a millage passed by Republic Township.

In the Marquette area, A. Lindberg & Sons Inc. was awarded $473,724 through the Dam Risk Reduction Grant Program for a partial removal of what is considered the hazardous Carp River Intake Dam. The upper portion of the spillway will be removed, lowering the reservoir an additional 10 feet and greatly reducing the risk to health and habitat. It could also lower the overall hazard classification of the dam.

The dam risk reduction program was approved by the Michigan Legislature in 2022.

“As recent events have shown us, if our dams fail, it can have profound impacts on both our communities and surrounding habitats,” said state Rep. Jenn Hill, D-Marquette. “These common-sense investments will help safeguard the U.P.’s precious natural resources for us and future generations to enjoy. I will continue to advocate in the Legislature for more funding like this to repair and strengthen our region’s water infrastructure.”

Five of the Fisheries Habitat projects are DNR Priority Habitat Conservation Projects — those pro-actively identified by the department as important to sustaining healthy habitats, fisheries and aquatic communities.

“This critical funding and the dollars it leverages will support projects that yield cleaner water, healthier fish populations and better aquatic habitats, and make outdoor areas safer for residents,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “It is gratifying to see such collaboration and creativity being put forth to make a real difference to the natural resources that are central to our state’s appeal as an outdoor recreation destination and a big part of what makes Michigan, Michigan.”

The Fisheries Habitat Grant program provides funding for a variety of activities including fish habitat conservation, dam removal and repair, resource assessment studies and access to recreational opportunities such as fishing. Funding from fishing license sales, state of Michigan general funds and a settlement with Consumers Energy is distributed through three grant areas: aquatic habitat conservation, dam management, and aquatic habitat and recreation in the Au Sable, Manistee and Muskegon river watersheds.

Joe Nohner, a resource analyst with the DNR Fisheries Division, said the funded projects will protect and rehabilitate aquatic habitats across the state, while in many cases also improving public safety through the removal of dams.

Also in the Upper Peninsula, the Great Lakes Fishery Commission is eligible to receive $150,000 for Sucker River culvert replacement and seasonal sea lamprey barrier construction in Alger County

Fisheries Habitat Grant funding is available annually to local, state, federal and tribal governments and nonprofit groups through an open, competitive process. The next request for proposals is expected to be announced in September.

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy said additional funding opportunities will be available for dam risk reduction and will be announced publicly when the agency is ready for applicants.