Macomb Co. 'Main Stream Main Street' Initiative Takes Form
DETROIT (WWJ) - The Clinton River could be the next big thing for water and nature lovers alike. Macomb County officials want to clean up the river and add beaches with canoe and kayak rental places along the stretch from Auburn Hills to Harrison Township.
Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel said his "Main Stream Main Street" river initiative would incorporate more than 35-miles of river and Lake St. Clair shoreline -- from Auburn Hills to Harrison Township.
Macomb County Land and Water Use Planner Gerry Santoro said the Clinton River initiative also calls for a 'water trail' along Lake St. Clair shoreline from Harrison Township to Detroit.
Santoro said adding beaches with canoe- and kayak-liveries will give people more access to the river.
"We have a livery that's scheduled to come in place in Shelby Township so that they can run from downtown Rochester to downtown Utica. We're working on getting the large, woody debris out of the river, with cooperation from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality," Santoro said. "I think we're making great headway on it right now."
Santoro estimated the clean up of the debris from the Clinton River could cost upwards of $1.5-million.
The Macomb County Land and Water Use Planner said the initiative is being funded by grants, as well as from state and federal money.
When asked when the river might be ready for use, Santoro was more optimistic than his boss, saying perhaps later this year. Executive Hackel would only say: "It's an ambitious project."
