ST. CLAIR SHORES, Mich. (Sept. 16, 2025) — Today, Sen. Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores) joined Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller and other local leaders to announce that the Chapaton Canal rehabilitation and expansion project is complete. Made possible by a $27 million state investment secured by Sen. Hertel, this long-awaited initiative is set to reduce sewer overflows from the county’s southeast drainage district by 50%, helping to protect the health of Lake St. Clair as the state faces more frequent heavy rain events.
After the event, Sen. Hertel, who represents the entire U.S. shoreline of Lake St. Clair in the Michigan Senate, released the following statement:
“Protecting Lake St. Clair for current and future generations cannot be a partisan issue — it’s a community issue. Thankfully, leaders here in Macomb County had a long-term vision for the health of the lake, as well as the political will and courage to get it done. Republicans and Democrats from all levels of government came together to champion resources for Chapaton, showing communities across Michigan what effective government looks like. By putting politics aside and the people we serve first, we were able to achieve something that will improve our water quality, reduce basement flooding, and keep Lake St. Clair thriving as the heart of our community.”
In recent years, Sen. Hertel has worked with local officials such as Commissioner Miller to bring nearly $100 million back to the region to protect the health of the lake, including addressing sewer overflows at St. Clair Shores’ Martin Drain District, preventing sinkholes in Chesterfield, and protecting the shoreline from shore erosion in New Baltimore.
To learn more about Sen. Hertel’s efforts to protect Lake St. Clair, click here.
