DEQ awards grants to protect Michigan’s Great Lakes coasts

WASHINGTON, D.C. – August 17, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — The DEQ’s Office of the Great Lakes recently awarded more than $700,000 in grants to support coastal projects in several local communities.

The federal grant funds came from the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration to provide technical and financial assistance to local units of government for creative coastal projects.

The 11 communities who received grants include:
• East Bay Charter Township– $45,000
• Casco Township – $24,500
• Ottawa County Parks – $45,000
• Northeast Michigan Council of Governments – $37,265
• Central Michigan University – $100,000
• Heart of the Lakes – $51,710
• Department of Natural Resources’ Parks and Recreation Division– $40,000
• Eastern U.P. Regional Planning & Development – $18,500
• Northwest Michigan Council of Governments – $98,838
• City of Sault Ste. Marie – $30,000
• Spring Lake Township – $11,000

In addition, the DEQ provided grants for specific initiatives, including:
• $125,000 to the Michigan Assoication of Planning to help communities design practices protect their coastlines
• $40,000 to the Alliance for the Great Lakes to reduce beach litter and pollution
• $40,000 to the Michigan Boating Industries Association to promote Michigan’s Clean Marina Program

“We look forward to enhancing state and local partnerships through these initiatives and projects,” said the DEQ’s Office of the Great Lakes Director, Jon W. Allan. “The DEQ continues to provide strong leadership and advocacy for our coastal resources by fostering environmental stewardship, encouraging innovative methods for understanding and communicating coastal challenges, and serving as partners in economic development.”

For additional information about the DEQ’s Coastal Zone Management Program, visit www.michigan.gov/coastalmanagement.

Ronda Wuycheck, 517-284-5040,
Karen Tommasulo, 517-284-6716,