Ann Arbor, Mich. — Local projects to benefit water quality through erosion and sediment control are eligible for up to $100,000 in funding under the Great Lakes Basin Program for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control.

Grants of approximately $30,000 each will be awarded in the areas of program and grant assistance; best management practices (BMP) demonstration; and information/education. Several grants of approximately $100,000 will also be awarded for large-scale BMP demonstration projects.

The grant program, administered by the Great Lakes Commission, is open to nonprofit agencies and nonfederal units of government. Proposed projects must be within the U.S. portion of the Great Lakes basin to be eligible.

Of special interest are proposals addressing agricultural conservation treatment, urban erosion control, forest logging and road maintenance, and shoreline / streambank / bluff stabilization. Other priorities include the emerg-ing issues of total maximum daily loads, natural stream/shoreline restoration and continuous year-round cropland cover.

Grant applications are now being accepted online. The application deadline is January 17, 2003.

The Great Lakes Basin Program, a federal/state partnership authorized under the Farm Bill and funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, has supported more than 200 demonstration and technical projects to date.

For more information, including examples of previously funded projects, visit the Great Lakes Basin Program for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control.

For immediate release: December 11, 2003
Contact: Gary Overmier, [email protected], office: 734-971-9135

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The Great Lakes Commission, chaired by Samuel W. Speck (Ohio), is a nonpartisan, binational compact agency created by state and U.S. federal law and dedicated to promoting a strong economy, healthy environment and high quality of life for the Great Lakes – St. Lawrence region and its residents. The Commission consists of state legislators, agency officials, and governors’ appointees from its eight member states.Associate membership for Ontario and Québec was established through the signing of a “Declaration of Partnership.” The Commission maintains a formal Observer program involving U.S. and Canadian federal agencies, tribal authorities, binational agencies and other regional interests. The Commission offices are located in Ann Arbor, Michigan.