Who’s involved in the Carrier Creek Project?

The project is led by Eaton County Drain Commissioner Brady Harrington, and it is a working partnership among the Friends of Carrier Creek, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Delta and Windsor townships, the City of Lansing, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The work itself is managed by two engineering firms: Spicer Group, Inc. in the areas upstream (south of I-496); and Fitzgerald Henne & Associates, Inc. for the downstream(north) portion of the project. Wetland and Coastal Resources, Inc., provides technical assistance to the project team, and assists with community outreach.

How is the project be funded?

The project-which includes a watershed management plan, physical improvements and educational outreach-is being funded by a combination of state and federal grants, and special assessments to the drainage district.

• Grant funding-includes a $1 million Clean Michigan Initiative (CMI) grant through the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality’s Surface Water Quality Division, and a USEPA Section 319 (Federal Clean Water Act) grant. These grants have made it possible for environmentally-sensitive best management practices and community outreach activities to be incorporated into the project.

• Special assessments have been assigned to the drainage district to cover costs of necessary drain improvements, which are independent of the grant-funded educational and outreach activities.

How much will this cost me, as a property owner?

Assessments were determined in 2004, and are shared among all of the land owners and municipalities that benefit from the project: the City of Lansing, Windsor and Delta townships, Eaton County, the Michigan Department of Transportation, and individual businesses and property owners.

For specific questions about your assessment, contact Dave Wilcox, project manager, at the Eaton County Drain Commissioner's Office: 517-543-3829. Click here to e-mail.

What areas of Delta and Windsor Twp. will the project affect?

A majority of the work will take place along the Carrier Creek Drain. Click here to view a map; click here to view an update of work being done.