Stabenow, Peters Announce $7.9 Million Grant for Great Lakes Cleanup

Michigan's U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters, both members of the Great Lakes Task Force, today announced that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is awarding $7.9 million to fund habitat restoration projects in the Great Lakes Areas of Concern (AOC). The Great Lakes Commission will lead a regional partnership in coordination with NOAA, the Great Lakes states and local agencies.

"The Great Lakes are a critical part of Michigan's economy and our way of life," said Senator Stabenow, Co-Chair of the Great Lakes Task Force. "This grant will support regional partners as they work to protect our Great Lakes, waterways, and wildlife habitats."

"With 33 million Americans counting on the Great Lakes to provide safe drinking water, it's vital that we have the resources to improve water quality and wildlife habitats in these areas that need the most cleanup action," said Senator Peters. "The health of our Great Lakes is critical to Michigan's environment and our economy, and this significant investment from NOAA will have a positive, tangible impact as we continue working to restore and protect this ecosystem."

The U.S.-Canada Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement designates AOCs as sites with the worst legacies of toxic contamination and environmental degradation in the Great Lakes ecosystem in order to focus federal cleanup efforts. The EPA currently lists 11 different AOCs in the State of Michigan.