The goal of the Bear Creek Watershed Project was to protect Bear Creek from environmental impacts associated with urbanization. This project was a partnership between Cannon Township (Kent County, Michigan) and the Robert B. Annis Water Resource Institute of Grand Valley State University. The project was funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through Section 319 of the Clean Water Act, and administered by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. One objective of the project was to demonstrate that protection of a watershed through education and improved land use management was a less expensive method than restoration of a degraded watershed, where a much stronger emphasis is placed on the installation of structural Best Management Practices (BMPs). The project finished its third year of implementation to minimize the impacts of non-point source (NPS) pollutants to Bear Creek and its tributaries. The Bear Creek Watershed Project continues as Cannon Township assumes direct responsibility for day to day activities. Cannon Township has created a new position within the township, Watershed Administrator. The duties of this position are currently assigned to the Township Clerk.