Oct.25, 2010

Michigan Sea Grant has been awarded more than $1.5 million from the federal government to lead two Great Lakes restoration projects that will restore native fish habitat and help clean up marinas across the region. It will also assist on five federally funded projects focused on issues including endangered fish, beach contamination, sound boating practices and marina operations, and water pollution.

The Environmental Protection Agency grants are part of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, a $475 million federal commitment to improve environmental quality in the Great Lakes region. Michigan Sea Grant's work, along with hundreds of other projects in Michigan and the region, will help meet key restoration priorities identified by EPA.

"For years, we've used the Great Lakes as dumping grounds, letting pollution from farm fields, sewers and factories flow into the lakes, overharvesting fish, and building on valuable wetlands," said Jim Diana, an SNRE professor of fisheries and director of Michigan Sea Grant, based at the School of Natural Resources and Environment.