The Alliance of Rouge Communities (ARC) officially formed in January of 2006 as authorized by Part 312 (Watershed Alliances) of the Michigan Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (MCL 324.101 to 324.90106) as amended by Act No. 517, Public Acts of 2004. The ARC Bylaws set forth the composition, duties, and responsibilities of the ARC. Each members has assigned a Representative and Alternate to represent them on the Alliance of Rouge Communities. The ARC structure involves a Full Alliance that meets at least twice a year. The full Alliance of Rouge Communities elects three officers (i.e., Chair, Vice Chair, and Treasurer) from among its community members who serve two year terms.

The purpose of the Alliance of Rouge Communities (ARC) is to provide an institutional mechanism to encourage watershed-wide cooperation and mutual support to meet water quality permit requirements and to restore beneficial uses of the river to the area residents. The ARC Technical Committee, in addition to design and review of the annual ARC water quality monitoring program, develops materials to guide members in meeting state storm water permit requirements, assists in the development and implementation of technical training programs, and serves as liaison with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality on storm water permitting issues including the development of subwatershed management plans. The ARC Public Information and Education Committee (PIE) develops public information materials, sponsors workshops, and other public involvement activities to encourage stewardship of the river, coordinates activities with non-profit organizations and other public and private organizations interested in building public stewardship of the river, and conducts informational meetings for public officials to explain the role of the ARC and the benefits of governmental cooperation in addressing water management issues.

Funding for these activities as well as for the staff support of the ARC and its committees is raised through assessments to members based upon an allocation formula that gives equal weight to the population and land area for community contributions and a similar weighted assessment for non-community, public agency members. Local contributions are used to match grant dollars that currently represent nearly fifty percent of the annual ARC budget.

Last Updated: 01/25/07

Please address all comments and suggestions about the contents of this Web page to C. O'Meara.

The Rouge River National Wet Weather Demonstration Project is funded, in part, by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Grants #XP995743-01, -02, -03, -04, -05, -06, -07 and C-264000-01.