The Rice Creek watershed group formed in response to a potential wastewater lagoon discharge from the Village of Springport into Rice Creek. In the Battle Creek River watershed, a local watershed group formed in response to a Total Maximum Daily Load being implemented for the Kalamazoo River. Battle Creek was named as a leading contributor of sediment and phosphorus to the Kalamazoo and targeted as a priority sub-watershed.

 The Rice and Battle Creek watersheds cooperation agreement was signed so that resources from all sources were coordinated to ensure maximum impact on water quality in the project area.

 ·          Potawatomi Resource Conservation & Development

 ·          Environmental Protection Agency

 ·          State of Michigan

 ·          Calhoun Conservation District

 ·          Thornapple-Grand Conservation District

 ·          Jackson County Conservation District

 ·          Calhoun, Eaton and Jackson, County Drain Commissions

 ·          Eaton County Drain Commission

·          Pheasants Forever

 ·          The Nature Conservancy

 ·          Ducks Unlimited

 ·          Conservation plans have begun for several landowners in the two watersheds

 ·          Trout habitat structures were installed in an efficient and coordinated effort by several groups

 ·          Communication and cooperation between key groups has increased.

 ·          Resource providers more aware of  resources available from other agencies

 ·          The prioritization of Farm Bill funding has proven to be both a significant source of assistance as well as a powerful leveraging tool.

 ·          The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality has dedicated over $500,000 in Clean Water Act, Section 319 funds to the two watersheds in support of the partnership.

 ·          Over $300,000 in additional, non-NRCS funds have been acquired through multiple partners to plan and implement a variety of projects, including innovative geomorphic assessments, habitat and stream restorations, and 3 dam removals. 

 ·           Several Conservation Planners are trained and working with support from NRCS and the Potawatomi Resource Conservation & Development Council.

 ·          Working with Pheasants Forever and private entities, the US Fish & Wildlife Service has prioritized its Partners for Fish & Wildlife Program funds to establish several native prairies and wetlands on private lands. 

 ·          The prioritization of funds by multiple partners has helped dissolve political boundaries, streamlined program implementation and furthered a watershed approach to conservation.