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Falls Township authorizes $839,700 grant application to restore Martins Creek
Summary
The board authorized staff to apply for a $839,700 state grant to fund Martins Creek restoration work intended to fix long‑standing stagnation and sediment problems, add aeration, improve aesthetics at a township park, and generate MS4 pollutant‑reduction credits.
The Falls Township Board on Nov. 24 authorized submission of a state grant application to restore Martins Creek, a multi‑stage project staff say will address chronic water stagnation, sediment buildup and debris near the community park.
Township engineer Joe Jones described the $839,700 request to the state Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). He said the project would divert part of Martins Creek into an existing wetlands/marsh area, remove sediments, add aeration and pipe flow back to reduce stagnation where a siphon currently drains under the canal and contributes to localized flooding. Jones said the design also includes debris collection features and will create an aesthetic basin with aeration and fountains near the soccer fields.
Why it matters: the project also generates MS4 permit credits for pollutant reduction, which helps the township meet state National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) obligations. Jones said the project will reduce pollutant loading in a large drainage area and that, if funded, construction would likely not start before fall 2026.
During public discussion, board members and residents asked whether the township addresses smaller stagnation spots throughout neighborhoods and whether public works intervenes to remove beaver dams and clean inlets. Jones said smaller, localized fixes are sometimes handled by public works, but the Martins Creek project was attractive because it addresses a larger drainage area and yields MS4 credits.
The board approved the resolution authorizing the grant application. No final construction work will occur unless the township receives the grant award and completes required permitting.
Representative quote from the meeting: "We're requesting $839,700 and this would do the restoration of Martins Creek as per the design that Joe has created for the township," a staff member said during the presentation.
Next step: staff will submit the application to DCED and notify the board when a determination is made; funding decisions and schedule will determine the earliest possible construction start date.
