Goal, Objectives and Methods

Photo by Elizabeth LaPorte
Michigan Sea Grant

Goal: Protect and improve water quality in the Great Lakes by reducing soil erosion and controlling sedimentation through financial incentives, information and education, and professional assistance.

Objectives:

1. Minimize off-site damage to harbors, streams, fish and wildlife habitat, recreational facilities, and the basin's public works systems caused by sediment.
   
2. Reduce the on-site damages caused by soil erosion on farms, developments, streambanks and shorelines.

Methods:

• Recognizing sediment as an important pollutant and improving the linkage between erosion and sediment control and water quality programs;
• Maintaining legislative recognition for the water quality problems associated with soil erosion and sedimentation;
• Providing dedicated and reliable funding for soil erosion and sediment control projects in the Great Lakes basin supporting the implementation of urban and rural non-point source pollution management programs;
• Coordinating efforts, roles and initiatives between federal, state and local soil and water conservation and pollution control agencies and groups in the Great Lakes basin;
• Building coalitions and networks that support the Great Lakes Basin Program;
• Sharing and obtaining information on the economic and environmental damage caused by soil erosion and sedimentation.

§ 3839bb-3. Great Lakes Basin program for soil erosion and sediment control

(a) In general
The Secretary, in consultation with the Great Lakes Commission created by Article IV of the Great Lakes Basin Compact (82 Stat. 415) and in cooperation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Secretary of the Army, may carry out the Great Lakes basin program for soil erosion and sediment control (referred to in this section as the "program").

(b) Assistance
In carrying out the program, the Secretary may--

(1) provide project demonstration grants, provide technical assistance, and carry out information and education programs to improve water quality in the Great Lakes basin by reducing soil erosion and improving sediment control; and
(2) provide a priority for projects and activities that directly reduce soil erosion or improve sediment control.

(c) Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2002 through 2007.