Governor Scott Walker announced recently that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has awarded Wisconsin a three-year $840,000 Coastal Resilience Grant to help Lake Michigan communities and property owners in Southeastern Wisconsin reduce damages from coastal hazards and sustain the operation of their coastal economic assets.
The grant entitled “Improving Economic Security in Coastal Wisconsin” will be awarded to the Wisconsin Department of Administration’s Wisconsin Coastal Management Program.
“ This grant is crucial to Wisconsin’s coastal communities ,” Governor Walker said. “ We’re grateful the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recognizes the challenges our Lake Michigan communities are facing and this is an excellent step as we work towards repairing damage and preserving our coasts for years to come .”
Southeastern Wisconsin’s Lake Michigan bluffs, beaches and harbor infrastructure are currently being impacted by a combination of high water levels, erosion and coastal storms.
Partners on the project include the University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute, the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC).