For much of the 20th century, factories and paper mills along Michigan’s Detroit and Kalamazoo rivers discharged waste that settled into the sediment and lingered for decades. The legacy includes polychlorinated biphenyls, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, mercury and other pollutants that have kept both waterways on the US Environmental Protection Agency’s list of Great Lakes areas of concern. In October 2026, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced an $89 million commitment called Reclaim the Rivers to address that contamination and restore habitat, with a goal of achieving transformational change on both rivers by 2040, according to state officials and local reporting. State official screenshot and local reporting name and link to be added
A public-private push led by EGLE and DNR
The Reclaim the Rivers initiative is being led by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, known as EGLE, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The two agencies will coordinate sediment cleanup, habitat restoration, and projects that expand public access for boating, fishing and other recreation. The announcement was made on Detroit’s Belle Isle, a symbolic location where the Detroit River meets Lake Erie and where restoration efforts have been visible for years.State officials describe the $89 million as seed funding that will help secure hundreds of millions of dollars in additional resources over the next 15 years. EGLE Director Phil Roos said, as per Michigan Public, the initiative is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform two of Michigan’s most important waterways. The money comes from pollution settlements with companies including Monsanto and the operator of the former Morrow Dam, linking the cleanup directly to the industries that contributed to the contamination.
How the money will be spent
About $50 million of the package is earmarked for addressing polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, in the Detroit River. Much of that funding will support the removal of toxic sediment from targeted areas where industrial waste accumulated over decades. Cleaning this sediment is a prerequisite for restoring fish habitat and improving water quality in sections of the river that have long carried fish consumption advisories, as per reports.Another $25 million is allocated to restoration projects in the Kalamazoo River watershed. That work includes sediment remediation, dam-related cleanup, and habitat improvements designed to support fish and wildlife.The remaining $14 million will fund restoration efforts at other waterways across the state, ensuring that communities beyond Detroit and Kalamazoo also benefit from the initiative.
The Kalamazoo River’s long struggle with PCBs
The Kalamazoo River has been shaped by paper manufacturing for more than a century. De-inking operations at mills in Otsego, Allegan, and Kalamazoo generated PCB-laden waste that entered the river and settled in impoundments behind dams. Over time, those contaminated sediments spread across roughly 80 miles of the river, affecting water, floodplain soils and wildlife, as per Epa.gov.Federal and state agencies have already overseen significant cleanup work, including the removal of more than 23,000 cubic yards of PCB-contaminated sediment and soil from upland floodplain areas. Dam removals and habitat restoration have followed in some sections, but complete remediation remains a long-term project. The new state funding is intended to accelerate that work and help move the river closer to delisting as an area of concern.
The Detroit River and its industrial legacy
The Detroit River forms part of the international border between the United States and Canada and serves as a key connector between Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie. Heavy industry along its banks released pollutants that settled into harbors, channels and backwaters. Black Lagoon in Trenton, for example, required sediment removal in 2005 to address contamination that included PCBs, mercury, zinc, lead, and oil and grease. Recent projects have begun to reverse some of that damage. A 2026 partnership brought $10 million to tackle contaminated sediment in the Upper Trenton Harbor and other sites along the Detroit River. The Reclaim the Rivers investment builds on that momentum by providing a larger, coordinated funding stream that can support multiple sites and link cleanup to broader habitat and access improvements.
What restoration looks like on the ground
Sediment removal is the most visible and technically complex part of the work. Proper management of dredging operations is essential to prevent the re-suspension of contaminants and the safe disposal of cleaned material. Once toxic sediment has been addressed, agencies can turn their attention to restoring natural shorelines, replanting native vegetation and building structures that support fish spawning and nesting birds. Improving public access is another key piece of the puzzle. The initiative envisions expanding boat launches, fishing piers and trails connecting communities to the rivers. These features are intended to encourage swimming, boating, and other activities that were once limited by pollution and degraded habitat. By tying cleanup to recreation, the state hopes to make the rivers central to local identity and economic development.
A 15-year horizon with 2040 as a target
EGLE and DNR expect the Reclaim the Rivers work to unfold over about 15 years, with 2040 set as the target for lasting, transformational change on both rivers. That timeline reflects the scale of the contamination and the need to coordinate with federal programs, local governments and private partners. Progress will be measured not only by the volume of sediment removed but also by improvements in water quality, fish populations and public use. Both the Detroit and Kalamazoo rivers are designated EPA areas of concern under the Great Lakes Restoration framework. Delisting requires that all beneficial use impairments, such as restrictions on fishing or swimming, be resolved. The $89 million commitment is designed to move both waterways closer to that goal by addressing the most stubborn sources of pollution and creating conditions for ecosystems to recover.
Why it matters for communities and the Great Lakes
For people living along the Detroit River and Kalamazoo River, the initiative is a chance to restore waterways that have been inaccessible or underused for generations. Improved sediment quality and habitat health can increase fish populations, helping to reduce consumption advisories and resume traditional fishing practices. Enhanced access can also attract visitors and support local businesses reliant on river-based recreation. At a larger scale, the health of these rivers affects the entire Great Lakes system, with the Detroit River serving as a major water flow corridor and migratory species route, and the Kalamazoo River being a crucial part of Lake Michigan’s ecosystem. Investing in their restoration helps protect regional biodiversity and prevents the legacy of industrial pollution from shaping the future of these iconic waterways.