Watershed Management Costs expended to date and allocated through 2002 are included in costs for other elements listed below

Three demonstration subwatersheds were selected and representatives of local communities have been working for the past year with other state and local agencies with storm water and pollution management responsibilities to complete draft subwatershed management studies. These subwatershed management studies provide frameworks for communities and agencies to apply for the NPDES watershed-based general storm water permit recently issued by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ). Two studies have been completed and are now undergoing review. The third study will be completed by the end of the year. A detailed inventory comparing land use and cover, sewer infrastructure, potential pollution sources, population, and other critical factors affecting the Rouge River has been compiled for all eleven Rouge subwatersheds. This inventory will facilitate development of subwatershed management studies by other subwatershed groups. Funding to assist in the development and implementation of the subwatershed management studies has been allocated through 2002.

Wayne County and the Rouge Project worked actively with Michigan DEQ to develop the new state General Permit for storm water. This voluntary watershed-based, general storm water permit establishes a framework within which communities and public agencies can elect to perform a set of minimum "best management practices" to prevent storm water pollution and manage storm water runoff. The consensual development of this permit program by MDEQ and local communities has been instrumental to developing consensus and encourage participation by Counties, Cities, and Townships, regulators, and the public in the watershed approach to wet weather management.

An analysis of options for the regulation and financing of storm water management under state law has been prepared and distributed to the communities as part of the Rouge Project. Various institutional options currently available to allow interjurisdictional cooperation between local governments and state agencies were evaluated. Recommendations were made to develop a new regulatory framework that would allow communities to use an array of existing institutional and financial options to cooperatively manage storm water. The Rouge Project will continue to explore mechanisms that will allow the integration of subwatershed management efforts into a comprehensive watershed approach for the entire Rouge River. Through participation on the Wet Weather Federal Advisory Committee we are providing up-to-date information on what is working in the Rouge Project and finding new ideas to try out.

Combined Sewer Overflows Expended to Date: $235 million

Projected New Expenditures through 2002: $208 million

Construction is being completed to control combined sewer overflows from approximately one third of the combined sewer area under the Phase 1 program. Several CSO basins and sewer separation projects are now complete, and the remainder will be complete within the next 12 months. Detroit has established a schedule for its Phase 2 CSO program, and Wayne County is working with Inkster, Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Redford and Michigan DEQ to establish schedules for the Phase 2 CSO programs for these communities.

Geographic Information Expended to Date: $ 3 million

System (GIS) Projected New Expenditures through 2002: $ 5 million

A geographic information system has been established for the watershed, complete with land use data, water quality data, community boundaries, and a street base. An advisory group of local communities, counties, state agencies, and others was formed to facilitate development of a system of inter-related GISs (local, county, state) to assist watershed management activities in the Rouge area. Pilot projects have been funded which will identify data transfer standards, equipment standards, and other information necessary to share information among the inter-related GISs in the watershed.

Monitoring Expended to Date: $ 9 million

Projected New Expenditures through 2002: $ 4 million

The water quality and ecosystem health monitoring program was started in 1993. The monitoring results have helped to focus the priorities of CSO abatement and non-point source control projects in the Rouge River watershed. Nationally, the findings and approach of the Rouge monitoring program have been incorporated into US EPA guidance and into other agencie's programs, such as at the Ohio River Sanitary Commission in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Illicit Connections Expended to Date: $ 1 million
and Septic Systems Projected New Expenditures through 2002: $ 2 million

Wayne County has established a program to identify illicit connections to the storm sewer and drain system. A team of Wayne County employees has been established and funded through the grant to do this work. Funding for establishing illicit connection detection programs in Oakland and Washtenaw counties has been incorporated into future plans.

Within the last year, the monitoring program has documented the magnitude of the pollution problem caused by failing septic systems. Rouge Project staff have been working with the health departments in Wayne, Oakland, and Washtenaw Counties and with the RRAC Onsite Disposal subcommittee to identify, develop, and implement solutions to eliminate or remediate failing septic systems.

Wetlands Expended to Date: $ 2 million

Projected New Expenditures through 2002: $ 4 million

The Rouge Project has facilitated and funded the construction of the Inkster wetlands project which provides water quality and habitat benefits for the Rouge River. The Rouge Project is also leading an effort to create a Wayne County Wetlands Bank under the wetland banking provisions of the Wetland Protection Act. A wetland map and a wetland protection plan have been prepared for the Middle 1 subwatershed as part of the Middle 1 subwatershed management plan.

Storm Water Expended to Date: $ 9 million

Projected New Expenditures through 2002: $ 12 million

A substantial amount of research on stormwater pollution control has been performed by the Rouge Project and shared with local communities and other cities in the country. Grants totaling $5 million have been provided to 25 different communities and agencies to undertake 46 pilot storm water management projects. These pilot projects focus on the application of a best management practice (BMP) to a specific storm water management problem. Categories of pilot storm water management projects currently underway include wetlands creation and restoration, structural practices such as grassed swales and detention ponds, pollution prevention programs such as the Rouge Friendly Business Program and other public education and involvement efforts, institutional controls such as storm water management ordinances, erosion control, streambank stabilization and habitat restoration, sewage management, and agricultural runoff control. Results from these projects, available 1997-1998, will be used to provide documentation on the cost effectiveness of alternative approaches to manage various sources of nonpoint and storm water pollution and will provide models for other communities and agencies to consider as part of their storm water management plans. Funding for additional community storm water projects, to assist communities and agencies in the implementation of subwatershed management plans and the General Permit, has been incorporated into future plans. The pilot project effort is supplemented by other watershed efforts, including the Soil Erosion Control Work Group established by MDEQ to improve soil erosion control and enforcement in the watershed, and the work of the Rouge RAP Advisory Council to promote downspout disconnection.

Stream Restoration Expended to Date: $ 1 million

Projected New Expenditures through 2002: $ 4 million

As part of the pilot project program described above, communities have constructed stream bank stabilization projects and funding for additional stream restoration projects has been allocated. In addition, one mile of canoeing has been established on the Middle Rouge, and work is underway to extend the canoe area next year with the completion of the Newburgh Lake restoration.

Newburgh Lake Restoration Expended to Date: $ 2 million

Projected New Expenditures through 2002: $ 10 million

The Newburgh Lake restoration project is underway and scheduled for completion next summer. This project is removing sediments that have been contaminated by toxic PCBs from the lake. The lake will be dredged deeper to allow for paddle boats, restoration of fishing, and improved waterside recreation.

Abandoned Dumps Expended to Date: $ 1 million

Projected New Expenditures through 2002: $ 1 million

The Rouge Project has performed research into the location of abandoned dumps and their water quality impacts. An abandoned dump site has been remediated at the site of the Warrendale CSO Basin on the Lower Rouge. A handbook on presumptive remedies for dumps is being prepared.

Public Involvement Expended to Date: $ 3 million

Projected New Expenditures through 2002: $ 3 million

A public involvement program was created in 1994 to foster an understanding of each citizens role in restoring and protecting the Rouge River. Wayne County works in a team effort with SEMCOG, Michigan DEQ, City of Detroit, Friends of the Rouge, and other groups and individuals. Public involvement and information activities include providing outreach displays at community events; development of communication tools including handbooks, newspaper inserts and stories, computer kiosks, and theater and restaurant placemat advertising; and support of the Rouge Education Project and Rouge Rescue. A Rouge Friendly Business Program and a Rouge Friendly Neighborhood Program have been established. These programs provide meaningful ways for small businesses and community groups to participate in the Rouge restoration efforts. Recent efforts include development of a draft Rouge Recreational Guide, which is a map and matrix highlighting recreational areas and amenities throughout the watershed.

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.