U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow yesterday announced support for Michigan’s Department of Environmental Quality Office of the Great Lakes to protect, restore and develop coastal ecosystems and communities.
The Michigan Coastal Management Program, housed in the Office of the Great Lakes, will receive more than $2.5 million from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
“ Whether it’s supporting beach clean-up efforts or making coastal environments more resilient, these funds for the Coastal Zone Management Program will improve our ongoing efforts to protect the Great Lakes, ” Peters said.
Michigan’s Department of Environmental Quality will administer the federal grant, which will leverage over $1.9 million in state and local funds. The funds will assist the Michigan Coastal Management Program with its efforts to mitigate coastal hazards, conserve and restore coastal habitat, and protect coastal water quality.
The National Coastal Zone Management Program administered by NOAA is a voluntary federal-state partnership that provides grants to states with approved coastal zone management plans for the preservation, protection, restoration, and enhancement of coastal zone areas, including those in the Great Lakes region.