Clinton River dredging plans move forward

Officials engaged with improving Macomb County’s waterways gathered earlier this week to commemorate a $500,000 government project to take the first step in dredging the Clinton River.

Michigan Rep. John James, with assistance from fellow Republican county Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller, secured the allocation to repair and upgrade the Confined Disposal Facility (CDF), owned by the state and operated by USACE that takes in and stores dredged sediments from nearby waterways.

“This is extremely important for our environment, extremely important for our future, extremely important for our economy and enjoyment,” James said.

Declining water levels, a developing sandbar and increased seaweed near the mouth of the river has made it more difficult for boats to gain access to Lake St. Clair from the Clinton River, Miller added.

She also said that the river was last dredged before she left Congress in 2017.