Rouge Project Information
The Rouge River National Wet Weather Demonstration Project (Rouge
Project) has been a working example of how a systematic watershed approach
to pollution management can result in cost-effective and ultimately
greater and faster achievement of designated uses in a water body.
The Project provided solutions to other urban watersheds throughout
the country on how to restore a polluted urban waterway. The Rouge
Project was initiated in 1992 by the Department of the Environment,
Wayne County, Michigan. This cooperative effort between federal,
state and local agencies has been supported by multi-year federal grants
from the United States Environmental Protection Agency and additional
funding from local communities.
The early focus of the Rouge Project was on the control of combined
sewer overflows (CSOs) in the watershed. Although control of
pollution from CSOs was identified as a major priority, it was determined
that CSO control alone would not provide sufficient improvements
to meet water quality standards in the watershed. This is because
nonpoint source pollutants, such as stormwater
runoff, discharges from illicit
connections, discharges from failed on-site septic systems,
and other sources would continue to degrade the river. In addition,
it was determined that wetlands,
habitat restoration, lake
restoration, erosion control and flow variability all needed
to be controlled before full restoration of the river would be achieved
throughout the watershed. Major progress has been made in the control
of pollution being discharged to the Rouge River from the above
named sources.
Based upon what was learned, the focus of the Rouge Project became
more holistic to consider the impacts from all sources of pollution
and use impairments in a receiving water. This watershed
management method is based on the use of a cooperative, locally
based approach to pollution control. The use of the watershed approach
is working in the Rouge River.
Using the watershed approach requires such tools as a comprehensive sampling and monitoring program,
various water quality and water quantity modeling
tools, data management and a geographic
information system. The Rouge Project aggressively invested
in these tools in order to develop the necessary holistic watershed
management strategy. These innovative, readily transferable tools
are being shared with other cities and state agencies. Use of the
watershed approach has proven to be very efficient and cost effective
in dealing with wet weather issues. These tools are working very
well in the Rouge Watershed.
The Rouge Project developed an effective public
information and education program based on the concept that
each citizen has the right to expect clean water from their upstream
neighbor and are also expected to assure that their downstream neighbor
is given the same courtesy.
The Rouge Project learned a great deal about what it
takes to restore an urban waterway to its beneficial uses. Using
the various tools of the watershed approach, the Rouge Project
stands as a model in pollution management based upon the results
to date. A watershed-wide strategy to restore the Rouge River has
been implemented through a unique partnership of local agencies
and communities, state agencies, non-profit organizations, businesses
and citizens.
This web site contains a great amount of this information. We urge
you to explore the site!
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Rouge River National Wet Weather Demonstration
Project was to demonstrate effective solutions to water quality problems
facing an urban watershed highly impacted by wet weather and develop
potential solutions and implement projects which will lead to the
restoration of water quality in the Rouge River. The project addressed both conventional and toxic pollutants to:
- provide a safe and healthy recreational river resource for present
and future generations;
- reestablish a healthy and diverse ecosystem within the Rouge
River Watershed;
- protect downstream water resources such as the Detroit River
and Lake Erie; and
- help ensure compliance with federal, state and local environmental
laws which protect human health and the environment.
This was accomplished through the development,
implementation and financial integration of technical, social and
institutional frameworks that led to cost-efficient and innovative
watershed-based solutions to wet weather problems. This watershed-based
national demonstration project provided other municipalities
across the nation facing similar problems with guidance and
effective solutions.
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