WASHINGTON — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently awarded organizations, agencies and universities working in Ohio $4,508,572 in grants under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
The 11 grants are the first of 70 totaling nearly $30 million that EPA is awarding under the GLRI in 2011. EPA will announce additional investments across the Great Lakes basin in the weeks ahead.
Funded projects will advance the goals and objectives of the GLRI Action Plan, which the EPA released in cooperation with 15 other participating agencies and several Great Lakes governors in February 2010.
Projects
The funded projects include:
• $1,348,595, University of Toledo (Maumee River Area of Concern — Wolf Creek passive treatment wetland).
• $498,612, Wayne State University (Toledo Harbor invasive species early warning system pilot project).
• $242,837, Ohio Environmental Council (Lake Erie Lakewide Management Plan public engagement).
• $331,669, The Nature Conservancy (Phragmites control on western Lake Erie shoreline).
• $151,000, Delta Institute (Cleveland and Toledo e-waste reduction).
• $425,160, Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority (Cuyahoga River Area of Concern debris management system).
• $369,472, Cleveland Metroparks (Invasive plant control in Cuyahoga River Basin).
• $294,693, Cleveland Metroparks (West Creek ecosystem restoration).
• $546,417, Ohio EPA (Lake Erie nutrient reduction).
• $177,688, Ohio EPA (Fish deformity analysis).
• $122,429, Ohio EPA (Ohio Lake Erie Phosphorus Task Force).
The Great Lakes provide 30 million Americans with drinking water and underpin a multi-billion dollar economy.
