Ann Arbor, Mich. – The Great Lakes Commission is pleased to announce the request for proposals (RFP) for the 2018 Great Lakes Sediment and Nutrient Reduction Program grant program.

Funding for the Great Lakes Sediment and Nutrient Reduction Program is provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI). The GLRI is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA)-led initiative designed to accelerate efforts to protect and restore the largest system of fresh surface water in the world — the Great Lakes.

For program year 2018, two grant options are being offered: watershed-scale projects and site-specific projects. Grants provided under this year’s program will focus on reducing sediment and phosphorus runoff into the Great Lakes through either the installation of long-term structural practices or implementation of nutrient management/”4R” type programs. Applicants may submit more than one application under this RFP. The maximum request for each application will be capped at no more than $200,000. Applicants must be nonfederal units of government, tribes, or incorporated nonprofit organizations. A 25% match will be required of each project.

The due date for applications is 6:00 p.m. EDT on March 26, 2018. Applications will be reviewed and assessed by the Sedimentation and Nutrient Reduction Task Force, with final decisions anticipated in June 2018. Selected projects should begin on October 1, 2018, and may be up to three years in duration.

Please visit www.keepingitontheland.net for more information.

The Great Lakes Commission, led by chairman John Linc Stine, commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, is an interstate compact agency established under 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 governors’ appointees, state legislators, and agency officials 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. Learn more at www.glc.org.