Grants Awarded in Michigan Under President’s Great Lakes Restoration Program

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced more than $2 million in federal grants to three southeast Michigan organizations at a news conference in William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor, overlooking the Detroit River. The grants are part of President Obama's Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, a $475 million program that represents the largest investment in the Great Lakes in two decades.

A total of 99 grants for an estimated $63 million are expected to be awarded in Michigan. Funded projects will advance the goals and objectives of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Action Plan, which EPA Administrator Jackson announced in cooperation with 15 other participating agencies and the Great Lakes governors in February.

The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments was awarded $500,000 for its "Restoring the Lake Erie Corridor Through Green Streets" program. The funds will pay for the construction of bioswales, tree trenches and grow zones to manage road runoff; reduction of annual storm water runoff volumes, sediment and nutrient loading by approximately 50%; development of a Great Lakes Green Streets Guidebook transferable to municipalities; and installation of Green Streets signage for public education benefits.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment will receive $1,028,548 for "Rapid Response to Invasive Species." This project will use the best-known methods to eradicate and control several invasive aquatic plant species that harm the Great Lakes. The program will help direct future resources for invasive species control to the most cost-effective, strategic and highest-threat locations.

Wayne State University was awarded $519,564 for "Verification of Ballast Water Treatment Technology." This project is designed to develop technology that will help assess the effectiveness and durability of shipboard ballast water treatment systems. The applicant is collaborating with a ballast water treatment company to allow testing both in the laboratory and with actual shipboard ballast water operations.

The Great Lakes provide approximately 30 million Americans with drinking water and underpin a multi-billion dollar economy. EPA is awarding $475 million in grants for aggressive community-based efforts to address five priorities:

• Cleaning up toxins and toxic hot spots around the Great Lakes; • Combating invasive species; • Promoting near-shore health by protecting watersheds from polluted runoff; • Restoring wetlands and other habitats; and • Accountability and working with strategic partners on outreach.

For more information, visit www.greatlakesrestoration.us.

Source: U.S. EPA