EPA Grants for Lakes Restoration, A Boost to Michigan's Economy
Friday, June 4, 2010
LANSING, Mich. - The first round of Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grants from the federal government is being hailed as good news for Michigan's environment and for its economy. Organizations from the eight Great Lakes states competed for money from the EPA with Michigan taking a majority of the funding. Michigan is being awarded more than $63 million to help clean up the Great Lakes as part of the first round of money for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
Andy Buchsbaum, director of the Great Lakes office of the National Wildlife Federation, says the Environmental Protection Agency reviewed over a thousand grant applications before choosing 270 proposals from organizations within the Great Lakes states. He says Michigan received the lion's share of funding for about 100 projects.
"Over a third of the total dollars for Great Lakes restoration came to Michigan, and it makes sense Michigan gets the lion's share because Michigan borders four of the Great Lakes. It is appropriate that Michigan receive that kind of investment because Michigan is in a unique position to protect and restore the Great Lakes."
Buchsbaum says a recent study by the Brookings Institution shows that for every dollar invested in restoration, there is potential for a three- to four-dollar return through creation of jobs and industries.
"Which means that, long term, even the $63 million Michigan gets for the first year, you're looking at two- to three-hundred million dollars in economic benefits long term."
The Obama administration has promised a total of $475 million for the restoration initiative over the next five years. Among other things, the money will help fight some 185 invasive species that cost the region $200 million a year. For a list of finalists for the EPA grants go to: www.epa.gov/glnpo/fund/2010rfp01/index.html.
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