State Rep. Ken Borton this week secured funding for fish habitat restoration at the Manistee and AuSable rivers, two of Michigan’s iconic trout streams.  

The funding comes from a grant of $2.5 million that was requested by Borton, which was approved in the recent state budget vote. If included in the final state budget, the money will be used to enhance infrastructure and expand river restoration efforts, which would protect the ecology of the rivers and boost the local economy. While the House plan is not the final budget, the project being included in the House plan is the first key step toward securing the funding in the final budget as well. 

“This is a huge win for both wildlife conservation and outdoor recreation,” said Borton (R-Gaylord). “The Au Sable and Manistee River watersheds are two of the crown jewels of Michigan’s cold-water river system. Restoring our river environments is necessary for both protecting our natural resources and promoting economic growth in Northern Michigan. Our waterways draw national and international visitors, and we have an obligation to make sure we are doing all we can to maintain healthy river ecosystems.”