COLUMBUS, OH -- The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) is accepting applications for more than $2 million in Great Lakes Coastal Restoration Grant funds that are available to local governments in the Lake Erie watershed. Deadline for receipt of applications is October 19.
Funds may be used by local agencies to acquire property or conservation easements on sensitive wetland and coastal habitats. Projects that protect critical coastal areas, such as by installing buffer zones between farm fields and waterways, eradicating invasive plants and controlling stormwater runoff, are also eligible for funding.
The federally funded grants, totaling $30 million for the Great Lakes states, are administered in Ohio by ODNR's Coastal Management Program. Grant recipients are required to provide 20 percent of total project costs with matching funds or in-kind services. All projects must be completed by June 2003.
Eligible government agencies include municipalities, townships, counties and villages; area-wide agencies including county and regional planning agencies; and park districts, conservancy districts, county soil and water conservation districts and port authorities.
Selection of grant recipients will be announced on November 30. For more detailed information on eligibility, guidelines and applications, contact Yetty Alley with ODNR's Coastal Management Program at 1630 Sycamore Line, Sandusky, OH 44870 or at 419-626-7986. Information is also available at www.dnr.state.oh.us
For Further Information Contact:
Yetty Alley, ODNR Coastal Management Program
(419) 626-7986
-or-
Andy Ware, ODNR Media Relations
(614) 265-6882