In 2004, the Kalamazoo River Watershed was one of 14 watersheds to receive a prestigious US EPA Tarted Watershed Grant. The Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians (Gun Lake Tribe) nominated the watershed and is leading this initiative on behalf of a watershed-wide group addressing eutrophication issues though a phosphorous TMDL.
The Gun Lake Tribe, with the technical support of Kieser & Associates LLC, the World Resources Institute, and the Environmental Trading Network, is developing a model water quality trading infrastructure and framework for the Kalamazoo River Watershed.
You can learn more about this project by clicking on the links to the right.
The Kalamazoo River Watershed covers 2,020 sq. miles in Southwest Michigan. Agriculture and forest cover over 80% of the watershed while urban areas represent 7% of the area, mainly centered around the cities of Kalamazoo and Battle Creek.
The Gun Lake Tribe has current and ceded lands within the Kalamazoo River watershed. Significant historical, cultural and spiritual interests link the tribe to the Kalamazoo River Basin. The current City of Kalamazoo was at the center of the tribe's dedicated homelands until the mid-1800s.
A Remedial Action Plan (RAP) for the Kalamazoo River Area of Concern has been developed to address issues associated with PCBs while a phosphorus Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for Lake Allegan/Kalamazoo River addresses water quality impairment due to nutrient enrichment. Both the RAP and TMDL's goals include sediment and nutrient load reductions through traditional and innovative approaches. To learn more about the Kalamazoo River Watershed, visit www.kalamazooriver.net and the EPA Kalamazoo Area of Concern website.
