State Officials Release 3rd Part Of Water Protection Plan

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Low interest loans will be awarded to Michigan communities for infrastructure improvements as part of a 30-year plan to manage, protect and improve the state's water resources.

The $158 million in loans was announced Friday by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality's Office of the Great Lakes.

It is part of the third phase of the state's Water Strategy which also defines goals and actions for the protection of water quality and the restoration of areas impacted by legacy pollution.

The initial phase was announced in June and included educating citizens about the importance of healthy waters while nurturing and restoring aquatic ecosystems.

Increased focus on sustainable expansion of water recreation and water-based business was part of the second phase released in July.