Michigan Could Garner Almost 40% of Latest Great Lakes Restoration Funding
Sorely needed work to begin restoring the Great Lakes could start this summer, and it's a good investment that will keep paying dividends, say representatives with the Michigan League of Conservation Voters. What's more, Michigan could potentially receive almost half of the latest funding alloted to projects in the basin, according to an MLCV analysis.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently announced that it has whittled more than 1,000 grant applications down to 270 finalists.
Those finalists are being invited to submit applications for a total of about $161.5 million under the $475 million Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI). The GLRI is an unprecedented investment in the nation’s largest fresh surface water ecosystem, first proposed by President Barack Obama in 2009, and designed to last multiple years.
"There certainly is a great need out there for money to protect and restore the lakes," said Lisa Wozniak, executive director of the MLCV, with offices in Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids.
"This recent announcement by the EPA is good news for citizens who love the lakes, which provide us with drinking water and recreational opportunities. The money will be used to address threats including toxic contaminants, invasive species, polluted runoff and beach closings. It also will go to remove impairments from Great Lakes Areas of Concern, 14 of which are in Michigan."
Michigan has the most Great Lakes shoreline of any U.S. state, totaling more than 3,200 miles. Of $942 million in recent grant requests from the Initiative, Michigan submittals accounted for more than 23 percent. Michigan, along with Wisconsin, New York and Minnesota, are expected to receive about 30 percent of the funding they requested. With $63 million in potential allocations, Michigan may lead the Great Lakes states in garnering funding, based on the EPA's latest announcement.
The Brookings Institution has found that restoring the Great Lakes will bring the eight-state region at least $2 in economic benefit for every $1 of investment, according to The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition.
Grant finalists from Michigan include conservation projects for Lakes Erie, Michigan, Huron, Superior and St. Clair; and projects targeting restoration and conservation of fisheries and wildlife habitat in the Clinton River, Detroit River and Deer Lake, St. Clair, Rouge River and White Lake Areas of Concern, according to the EPA.
"This latest announcement shows the value of citizen and political support for protecting our Great Lakes for future generations," Wozniak said.
"Leaders who supported this initiative deserve praise. Those who didn't need to rethink their priorities. This $161 million in funding includes projects that will positively impact watersheds and residents throughout Michigan and the Great Lakes.
"Communities and leaders need to keep a watchful eye on this Initiative and how the money is spent as this process moves forward. There will be more opportunities for funding of thoughtful, important projects that can demonstrate real change in years to come."
The EPA is accepting submittals from finalists right away, so work can begin as soon as this summer.
Image credit: GLRI.