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Grand River Dam Removal Public Comment Period

Publish Date
Portion of Grand River in downtown Grand Rapids.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is seeking public comment on the draft Watershed Project Plan - Environmental Assessment (Plan-EA) for the removal of four low-head dams, as part of the Grand River Revitalization Project in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

September 12, 2025

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is seeking public comment on the draft Watershed Project Plan - Environmental Assessment (Plan-EA) for the removal of four low-head dams, as part of the Grand River Revitalization Project in Grand Rapids, Mich.

The project is seeking funding through Public Law 83-566, which is a federal undertaking and the Plan–EA has been prepared in accordance with Section 102-(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), Public Law 91-190, as amended (42-USC-4321 et seq.) 

The purpose of the proposed Project, which aligns with PL 83-566, Watershed Protection (NWPM 500.3B(ii)), is to:

Restore the rapids, improve public safety, restore aquatic habitat diversity and suitability for native Great Lakes fish and mussel species and enhance river access and use. 

The Preferred Alternative includes the demolition of four low-head dams and the creation of riffles, runs, glides, and pools in the Grand River where it flows through downtown Grand Rapids. Large substrates including boulders, cobbles, and gravel would be added to recreate the rapids that would distribute the river’s slope and enhance fish and mussel habitat.

The Environmental Assessment covers all environmental and cultural impacts anticipated from the proposed project, temporary or permanent, and includes the following categories:

  1. Air Quality and Noise
  2. Climate and Climate Change
  3. Soils and Geology
  4. Water and Riverine Resources
  5. Wetlands
  6. Terrestrial Vegetation and Wildlife
  7. Aquatic Species and Habitat
  8. Floodplain Management
  9. Land Use, Recreation, and Visual Resources
  10. Socioeconomics
  11. Cultural Resources and Historic Properties
  12. Public Health and Safety
  13. Urban Dynamics

NRCS is seeking public comment on this draft Plan-EA. The public comment period officially begins on Sept. 15, 2025, and will last for a period of 30 days. A link to the complete draft Plan-EA is posted below. 

Paper copies of the document will be available for viewing beginning Sept. 15, 2025 at the following Grand Rapids Public Library locations: 

  • Main Library, 111 Library St. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
  • Seymour Branch, 2350 Eastern SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507
  • West Leonard Branch, 1017 Leonard NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
  • Yankee Clipper Branch, 2025 Leonard NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505

To submit public comments to NRCS 

You may submit your comments in one of  the following ways:

• Through an online comment form, available at: https://fs21.formsite.com/rharrisgrcityus/9cegg9q6bt/index

• Submitted in writing and mailed to the following address:

USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service
ATTN: State Resource Conservationist
3001 Coolidge Road, Suite 250
East Lansing, MI  48823-6321

Notice of Public Comment Period (116.42 KB)
Watershed Project Plan Environmental Assessment for the Lower Grand River Habitat Restoration Project (2.06 MB)

Plan Appendices
 

Table of Contents for Grand River Restoration Plan Environmental Assessment Appendices (92.55 KB)

Appendices