[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 129 (Friday, September 21, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1594]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    IN RECOGNITION OF FORTY YEARS OF LEADERSHIP FROM CLINTON RIVER 
                           WATERSHED COUNCIL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GARY C. PETERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 20, 2012

  Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Clinton River 
Watershed Council (CRWC) as it celebrates 40 years of service to 
Southeast Michigan. Situated within Macomb and Oakland Counties and 
located in the heart of the Great Lakes region, the Clinton River 
watershed covers over 760 square miles that begins at the headwaters of 
the Clinton River in Springfield Township and stretches to its outlet 
into Lake St. Clair.
  Water has long been an important part of our lives in Michigan and 
throughout the Great Lakes region--it was the means through which 
Michigan became a center of industry and innovation during the 
Industrial Revolution and remains a critical part of our economy. 
However, as an unintended consequence of our success, the Clinton River 
and its watershed became polluted by industrial runoff and untreated 
sewage, which threatened this important natural resource in Southeast 
Michigan. As a response to growing public concern, in 1972 the CRWC was 
founded with a mission to protect, enhance and celebrate the Clinton 
River, its watershed and Lake St. Clair.
  In execution of its mission, the CRWC has created programs that have 
engaged all the sectors of the community in efforts to restore the 
watershed, while providing hands-on education which has instilled the 
value of good environmental stewardship. Among its programs is Adopt-a-
Stream, which directly involves area residents in the water quality 
monitoring process. It promotes annual events like Clinton River Day, 
which brings the community together in dozens of sites around the 
watershed to participate in projects that educate, clean and promote 
the importance of the Clinton River to our region. Over its 40 years, 
the CRWC has created a clear track record of leveraging strong 
partnerships with area stakeholders to remove the impairments caused by 
pollution.
  The work of the CRWC has left a tangible impact on the communities of 
Southeast Michigan--riparian habitat has been restored, children have 
been educated on the healthy and active lifestyle that the watershed 
supports and recreational fishermen once again enjoy premier fisheries. 
Beyond these benefits to area residents, the CRWC's outreach to its 
stakeholders has created important synergies between local governments, 
institutes of higher education, area businesses and advocacy groups, 
that have strengthened the vitality of the Southeast Michigan region. 
The results have been, not just a healthier ecosystem, but also 
increased economic activity and increased quality-of-life for our 
families.
  Mr. Speaker, as a proud supporter of the Great Lakes and the federal 
commitment Congress has made through the Great Lakes Restoration 
Initiative, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the CRWC for 
40 years of leadership in protecting, enhancing and celebrating the 
Clinton River, its watershed and Lake St. Clair. While there is still a 
lot of work left to be done to fully restore and protect our important 
natural resources, we have seen great progress because of the work of 
the CRWC and its sister organizations across the Great Lakes region. I 
am confident that with the sustained dedication of the CRWC, its 
stakeholders and its supporters, that we will continue to see more 
progress made to fully restore the Clinton River Area of Concern.

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