Grant helps restore Fordson Island’s water, removes debris

The Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority will be getting some funding to help clean debris from the Fordson Island area.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has awarded a $150,000 grant to the Port Authority for the Dearborn-area Fordson Island Oxbow Restoration and Debris Removal Program. The project was one of eight selected nationwide out of 50 applicants, and was the only project selected in the Great Lakes.

The focus of the program is to provide federal and technical assistance to community-based activities to remove debris from living, marine resource habitats. The program also promotes stewardship and a conservation ethic for marine species and habitats.

Fordson Island was created in 1917 by the dredging and channeling of the Rouge River to the Ford Rouge Plant. The dredging provided a deeper channel, which allowed the Ford Motor Company to transport submarine chasers (Eagle Boats) from the Rouge River to the deeper water of the Detroit River during World War II. Over time, debris from commercial, industrial, and recreational use of the island and surrounding waterway accumulated in the shallow river west of the island.

Through the project, the Port Authority hopes to remove boats and other debris by first conducting an ecological and habitat survey, shoreline cleanup, and monitoring the cleaned-up areas to see how quickly more debris accumulates.

Source: Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority
Writer: Kristin Lukowski

Grant helps restore Fordson Island’s water, removes debris

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