Congratulations to the Little Swan Creek Watershed Grant Team on Major EGLE Award

The Marble-Coldwater Clean Water Partnership would like to extend our sincere congratulations to the Matteson Lake Association, the Branch County Conservation District, and all project partners on the approval of the Little Swan Creek Watershed Management Planning Grant.

After four years of persistence and dedication, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has approved a two-year, $85,000 grant to develop a comprehensive Watershed Management Plan for the Little Swan Creek watershed in Branch and St. Joseph counties.

This achievement represents a major milestone not only for Matteson Lake and Little Swan Creek, but also for watershed protection efforts throughout our region. Once the watershed management plan is completed and approved, the project partners will become eligible to pursue larger implementation grants aimed at improving and protecting local water quality.

The project is truly a collaborative community effort. The Branch County Conservation District will serve as the lead agency, while the Matteson Lake Association and numerous regional partners will contribute volunteer support, water quality monitoring, stakeholder engagement, mapping, environmental analysis, and watershed planning expertise.

Additional partners include:

• St. Joseph County Conservation District
• Colon Township Lake Board
• Branch County Drain Commission
• St. Joseph County Drain Commission
• Matteson Township
• Coldwater GIS Department
• St. Joseph GIS Department
• Friends of the St. Joseph River
• Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency

Many of these organizations are also valued partners and stakeholders within the Marble-Coldwater Clean Water Partnership, further highlighting the strong regional collaboration and shared commitment to protecting and improving water quality across our watersheds.

The Matteson Lake Association and Colon Township Lake Board also committed significant matching funds to support expanded sampling and consulting efforts, demonstrating an impressive local commitment to clean water protection.

We also applaud the Matteson Lake Association’s continued engagement with the Michigan Lakes and Streams Association (MLSA), where members recently attended the organization’s annual conference to strengthen their knowledge in areas including shoreline habitats, invasive species, nutrient loading, aquatic plants, and watershed management strategies. Members of the Marble-Coldwater Clean Water Partnership Board also attended the conference, providing another valuable opportunity to learn, collaborate, and exchange ideas with lake and watershed organizations from across Michigan.

The Marble-Coldwater Clean Water Partnership is especially grateful that representatives from the Matteson Lake Association will be meeting with our organization later this month to share their experiences, lessons learned, and insights into the EGLE grant process. Their willingness to help other watershed organizations navigate the challenges and opportunities of watershed planning speaks volumes about their leadership and commitment to protecting Michigan’s waters.

Congratulations again on this well-earned achievement. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this project will have for years to come.
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— Marble-Coldwater Clean Water Partnership