Senators Stabenow and Levin Praise Great Lakes Restoration Investments

Press Release

U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin today announced that several Michigan recipients will receive support for local Great Lakes restoration efforts. The projects are designed to preserve and restore local Great Lakes wetlands, wildlife, and natural resources from serious threats such as invasive species, low water levels, and toxic sediments. The Environmental Protection Agency grants were made possible through the 2011 Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

"The Great Lakes are part of Michigan's identity and a huge part our economy. We grew up surrounded by the Great Lakes' natural beauty and protecting them is in our DNA. The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative will go a long way in protecting our most precious natural resources and the thousands of jobs they support," said Senator Stabenow.

"These important projects are great examples of the important work being performed to restore and protect the Great Lakes, with help from the critical Great Lakes Restoration Initiative," Levin said. "The Great Lakes are essential to Michigan's identity and prosperity and we must preserve them for future generations."

Les Cheneaux Watershed Council and The Nature Conservancy received a total of $537,583 for projects that will target critical agricultural areas and best management practices, control invasive species, and protect the Two Hearted Watershed ecosystem.

Michigan Technological University received $281,612 for mapping of toxic Harmful Algal Bloom.

The Northeast Michigan Council of Governments received $265,380 for a Lake Huron Watershed Community Collaboration project.

Central Michigan University received $247,159 of the available funds for green marina education and outreach and establishing gull exclusion zones at public beaches.

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality received $890,735 for targeted phosphorus reduction.

Source