News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 18, 2001
OHIO COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM AWARDS MORE THAN
$2 MILLION TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
Projects in Lake, Geauga, Cuyahoga, Sandusky, Ottawa and Lucas receive funding
SANDUSKY, OH - The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Coastal Management Program today announced the award of more than $2 million in Great Lakes Coastal Restoration Grants to local governments.
The grants will fund nine projects to acquire and protect more than 240 acres, including a quarter-mile of Lake Erie shoreline, and protect and restore more than 4,000 feet of streams and riparian habitats in the Lake Erie watershed. Funded projects are in Lake, Geauga, Cuyahoga, Sandusky, Ottawa and Lucas counties.
Grants announced today were made possible by a one-time congressional appropriation, sponsored by Senator Mike DeWine and targeted at coastal and water quality restoration projects in the Great Lakes region. Nine Ohio projects, selected on a competitive basis, were approved to receive a total of $2,363,520.
Selected projects are consistent with Ohio Coastal Management Program priorities and help implement the states Lake Erie Protection and Restoration Plan, announced by Governor Bob Taft in September 2000.
Funding priorities include protection of critical coastal areas, water quality protection, and sustainable development. Grant projects will accomplish acquisition and restoration of coastal habitats, natural areas, open space and greenways, and increase lakefront and streamside access. Other benefits include restoration of degraded streams, eradication of noxious, invasive plants and increasing outdoor recreation opportunities.
For more information on the Great Lakes Coastal Restoration Grants contact the Ohio Coastal Management Program, ODNR Coastal Services Center; 1630 Sycamore Line; Sandusky, OH 44870, or call 419-626-7986.
EDITORS NOTE: A LIST OF GREAT LAKES COASTAL RESTORATION GRANT RECIPIENTS IS BELOW.
For Further Information Contact:
Andy Ware, ODNR Media Relations
(614) 265-6882
| COUNTY |
RECIPIENT |
AMOUNT |
PROJECT |
| Cuyahoga |
City of Hudson |
$149,000 |
Mud Brook Preserve sensitive wetland addition
Acquisition of more than 29 acres, including 16 acres of existing sensitive wetland, and more than 2,600 linear feet of Mud Brook and Powers Brook. |
|
City of Parma
|
$206,000
|
West Creek land acquisition and preservation
Acquisition of two areas totaling 23 acres. This will link and expand the present 180-acre West Creek Preserve. A stream restoration plan will be prepared. The plan will improve 1,200 linear feet of stream, providing habitat restoration, enhancement and erosion abatement. |
| Geauga |
Geauga Park District
|
$190,000
|
Silver Creek Restoration Project
This project will restore stream integrity (meanders, streamside habitat, and flow), reduce nonpoint source pollution, restore natural floodplains and establish educational opportunities on stream restoration and bioengineering principles. Valuable information will also be provided on restoration tools needed to stabilize exposed dam impoundments created by dam removal.
|
| Lake |
City of Eastlake
|
$368,520
|
Ward Creek Riparian Corridor Acquisition and Preservation
Acquisition of 15.5 acres of wooded land along Ward Creek, a small tributary of the lower Chagrin River. A conservation easement will also be placed on an adjacent 31 acres of land bordering Ward Creek. A total of 46.5 acres will be preserved reducing erosion and protecting habitat and stream quality.
|
|
Lake Metro Parks
|
$125,920
|
Lower Grand River Floodplain Acquisition
Acquisition of 14.52 acres of Grand River floodplain wetland. The park district will preserve the site as a natural area and allow passive recreation use as a river access point. Water quality will be protected and enhanced by maintaining the natural floodplain.
|
| Lucas |
Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority
|
$65,530 (Partial funding)
|
Sediment Trend Analysis in the Maumee Bay Region
This project will help complete a sediment trend analysis for Maumee Bay. The sediment transport mapping will be used for planning the siting and design of new sediment disposal areas; for improved maintenance of the Toledo Harbor shipping channel and other management measures in the Maumee Bay and Ottawa River areas.
|
| Ottawa |
Danbury Township Trustees
|
$154,150
|
Meadowbrook Acquisition Project
Acquisition of 30 acres partly located in the area known as Meadowbrook in the southern portion of Marblehead peninsula. Approximately half the area is made up of wetlands and located in a 100-year floodplain. This acquisition will preserve wildlife habitat, a natural area and open space. This area is adjacent to 33.5 acres presently owned by Danbury Township. |
|
Put-In-Bay Township
|
$888,000
|
Buckeye Point Land Acquisition
Acquisition of nine acres on the eastern tip of South Bass Island known as Buckeye Point. Over one-fourth mile of shoreline will be preserved and accessible for hiking, fishing and bird watching. In addition to preserving fish and migratory bird habitat, this acquisition protects habitat for the threatened Lake Erie watersnake.
|
| Sandusky |
Sandusky County Park District
|
$216,400 |
Muddy Creek Corridor Acquisition
Acquisition of approximately 120 acres of floodplain and riparian corridor on Muddy Creek. This acquisition is a key part of a larger plan to protect and restore the Muddy Creek corridor in order to improve water quality, wildlife habitat and provide educational opportunities by demonstrating "Best Management Practices."
|
|