River Intern Program
This is a cooperative program between the USFS, PMWC and local universities begun in 2009. To date, Ferris State University (FSU) and West Shore Community College (WSCC) Criminal Justice majors have been selected by the USFS for a summer internship targeting the improvement of behaviors on the Pere Marquette River. After training by the Forest Service, the interns work primarily on weekends either on the river or at access sites. They support local law enforcement by monitoring behavior of canoeists and fisherman in the river corridor. Each intern receives a $1,000 scholarship. Funding is provided by PMWC and the Lake County Riverside Property Owners Association (LCRPOA). The USFS hopes to expand this program to include criminal justice students from additional regional colleges.