What is the River Friendly Partners Program?

The mission of the River Friendly Partners Program is to restore the water quality of the Rouge River by reducing pollutants entering the river. In this program, information and assistance is provided to businesses and communities to help them prevent pollution. Participants benefit in several ways including enhanced community relations.

Why is there a pollution problem in the Rouge River?

Although major industrial and municipal point sources have been effectively controlled, the Rouge River remains polluted because of stormwater runoff. Stormwater runoff is the excess water that flows over land during and after a rainfall or snow melt. It occurs everywhere and includes flows from storm sewers and natural drainage courses serving industrial, commercial, residential, undeveloped, recreational and agricultural lands.

Why is the Rouge Project sponsoring this program?

The River Friendly Partners Program helps the Rouge Project fulfill its mission to protect the water quality of the Rouge River Watershed for the safety and enjoyment of all its citizens. This program is part of a coordinated effort to help communities comply with the Clean Water Act as we work together to restore and protect our river.

How can a business or community become a River Friendly Partner?

• By requesting a Pollution Prevention Action Plan Package from the Rouge Program Office (RPO), which includes an action plan/ self-assessment form and a best management practice manual.
• By completing the action plan/ self-assessment form themselves or requests a visit from the RPO Technical Assistance Team to assist in completing the form.
• RPO will schedule a site visit approximately 90 days from the date confirmation is made that the action plan/ self-assessment form has been completed. This allows the business or the community time to make environmental improvements identified in the Pollution Prevention Action Plan.
• RPO staff will conduct a site visit with the business owner or community to determine if the organization has begun implementation of the Pollution Prevention Action Plan and is eligible for recognition as a River Friendly Partner.

What are the benefits of becoming a River Friendly Partner?

• Free technical assistance to help identify opportunities to prevent pollution.
• Improved housekeeping and other minor operational changes that prevent pollution can reduce your operating expenses while helping the environment.
• Personal satisfaction that your business is doing something to help protect the environment and the water quality of the Rouge River.
• Free advertising from decals, magnets and brochures provided by the Rouge Project.
• Customers prefer to patronize River Friendly Businesses.

How can a business or community find out more about the River Friendly Partner Program?

Call the Rouge Information Line at 1-888.223.2363

Please address all comments and suggestions about the contents of this Web page to rougeweb@co.wayne.mi.us.

The Rouge River National Wet Weather Demonstration Project is funded, in part, by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Grants #XP995743-01, -02, -03, -04, -05, -06, -08 and C-264000-01.