LANSING — Fish habitat conservation projects in streams and lakes across the state will share more than $2.1 million in Fisheries Habitat Grants administered by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

The projects, supported by an additional $616,000 in matching partner contributions, will rehabilitate and protect valuable fish habitat that provides the foundation for Michigan’s fisheries.

The Fisheries Habitat Grant program provides funding for a variety of activities including fish habitat conservation, dam removal and repair, resource assessment studies and access to recreation opportunities like fishing.

Funding from fishing license sales, state of Michigan general funds and a settlement with Consumers Energy is distributed through three grant areas: aquatic habitat conservation, dam management, and aquatic habitat and recreation in the Au Sable, Manistee and Muskegon river watersheds.

Regionally, the Upper Peninsula Resource Conservation and Development Council was awarded $62,500 for a Tahquamenon River Road stream crossing inventory update.

Lake Superior State University was awarded $35,000 for expanding the MiWaterNet initiative to implement water sensors in the eastern Upper Peninsula.

Fisheries Habitat Grant funding is available annually to local, state, federal and tribal governments and nonprofit groups through an open, competitive process. The next request for proposals is expected to be announced in October. Learn more about the Fisheries Habitat Grant program at Michigan.gov/DNRGrants.