Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, Due May 24

Up to approximately $20 million may be awarded under this RFA for about 100 projects contingent on the quality of applications received, funding availability and other applicable considerations. Applications are requested for projects identified in the RFA within the following four GLRI focus areas:

1.Toxic Substances and Areas of Concern, including reduction of toxic substances (through pollution prevention or other means) in the most polluted areas in the Great Lakes;

2.Invasive Species, including efforts to institute a “zero tolerance policy” toward new invasions;

3.Nearshore Health and Nonpoint Source Pollution, including a targeted geographic focus on high priority watersheds and reducing polluted runoff from urban, suburban and agricultural sources; and

4.Accountability, Education, Monitoring, Evaluation, Communication and Partnerships, including climate change resiliency and strategic partnerships through Lakewide Management Plans.

Eligible Applicants:

Governmental entities, including state agencies, interstate agencies, Indian tribes, local governments as defined in 40 CFR Section 31.3, institutions of higher learning (e.g., colleges and universities subject to 40 CFR Part 30 or 40 CFR Part 31), and nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply for funding under this RFA.

Contact us for more information!

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, Due May 24

Michigan Revolving Loan Fund Updates

As the SRF and SWQIF funds affect so many, the proposed changes to the SRF merit a post even though the changes are still in the discussion stage.  An advisory committee has submitted a report with recommended changes to the current program.

The recommendations in this report are premised on the need for a policy approach that emphasizes strategic investment of dollars in vital infrastructure to protect water quality as well as the creation of more long-term, self-sustained funding. There are two parts to this policy strategy.

Part 1: Creation of a state grant program and expanded use of a state loan program to stimulate investments that protect infrastructure assets and reduce long-term costs to the public.

Part 2: Institution of reforms to the existing SRF program to stimulate investments in large scale sewer system improvement projects that address chronic water quality problems.

Part 1 – Reducing the cost of infrastructure and increasing investment in critical water quality protection through creation of a state grant program and expanded use of a state loan program

Michigan needs to invest much more heavily in the management of its sewer infrastructure assets. This keeps systems in good condition rather than allowing them to deteriorate to the point where they become extremely costly to repair or replace.  The State also needs to facilitate the establishment of dedicated revenue streams that are based on the actual cost of services provided. Given the fiscal condition of local governments, incentivizing these actions through grant funding is critical.

Part 1 Recommendations

  • Remaining funds from Proposal 2 of 2002 (approximately $654 million) should be allocated over a five year period. This should be phased so that more of the funding is available in the later years.
  • In each funding cycle, 50% of the funds available should be targeted toward implementing projects in a grant program consistent with Part 1 of this report and 50% for a loan program. Both should be implemented under the Strategic Water Quality Initiatives Fund (SWQIF), with provision to adjust this allocation in any given year based on demand.
  • The loan program created under the SWQIF should be as simple as possible. The DEQ and the legislature should take steps to ensure that the state’s loan program does not suffer the same ills as the federal program.
  • The State must ensure that federal capitalization grants to the SRF are fully captured so no available dollars are left on the table.  State match for these grants should be provided through the general fund. However, in the event that this funding source is unavailable in any given year, a portion of the Proposal 2 funds should be designated as match for the federal capitalization grant.
  • Bonds from Proposal 2 of 2002 should be used to provide grants to local governments for:
    • Design, development and implementation of asset management plans or capital improvement programs for sanitary sewer and storm sewer infrastructure,
    • Development of stormwater management plans or programs,
    • Development and implementation of stormwater utilities, or
    •  Planning and design of sewer projects (similar to the grant program previously authorized by the legislature using Proposal 2 bond funds).
  • The grant application process should be kept as simple as possible.  Projects that meet eligibility criteria should be funded on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Legislation describing the acceptable manner for creation of a stormwater utility consistent with the Michigan Supreme Court’s Bolt vs. City of Lansing decision needs to be adopted.

Part 2 – Increasing use of the State Revolving Fund program by streamlining requirements in the existing SRF program

The goal of the recommendations in this category is to reduce the administrative burden on applicants and the DEQ so the process is easier and less costly to administer. This in turn will result in a greater number of projects being funded.

Part 2 Recommendations

Primary recommendation: DEQ should work with a committee of stakeholders to revise the SRF program, using a process improvement approach, to ensure that a thorough list of recommendations is developed and appropriately vetted.

Part 2 Recommendations for DEQ and its stakeholder group to consider:

  • Revise the pre-application meeting process to allow potential applicants to evaluate the likelihood of funding prior to incurring significant costs.
  • Evaluate and revise the criteria for selecting priority projects.
  • Develop a checklist to determine which elements need to be addressed in the Project Plan for a specific application.
  • Review the public participation requirements and consider options other than the mandatory requirement for a formal public hearing, with a transcript, prior to submitting the Project Plan.
  • To the maximum extent possible, eliminate requirements to provide information on other state and federal laws and regulations for conformity.
  •  Create special financial incentives for “economic hardship” applicants, similar to those currently provided in the Drinking Water Revolving Fund program.
  •  If funds available exceed demand in any given year, the Committee urges the DEQ Director to lower interest rates in the subsequent funding cycle.

These are highlights from the Executive Summary. You can view the entire document here:

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/deq/deq-ess-mfs-CWSRF-advisorycomm-FinalReport_364766_7.pdf

Michigan Revolving Loan Fund Updates

Water Quality Grants, NOI Due Sept. 7

Nearly $4 million in water quality grants available!

The DEQ today announced nearly $4 million in available grants to protect, restore and manage watersheds.

The grant program is open to state agencies, local governments, and nonprofit organizations. Proposals are requested for watershed management planning projects as well as projects that implement previously approved watershed management plans.

Funding for the program includes approximately $1 million from the Clean Michigan Initiative’s Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Grants and approximately $2.9 million from Section 319 of the federal Clean Water Act.

Grant awards are contingent on the sale of Clean Michigan Initiative general obligation bonds to support these projects and the appropriation of funding by the Michigan Legislature and
U.S. Congress.

Notices of Intent are due Sept. 7. Full applications from invited applicants are due Oct. 19.

Water Quality Grants, NOI Due Sept. 7

Grants to Improve Shore-based Fishing, Deadline August 25

Access to the Great Lakes Fishery

Goal

The goal of the GLFT’s Access to the Great Lakes Fishery grant category is to improve or create opportunities for shore-based access to fishing for Great Lakes species for use by tribal and/or recreational users.

How This Goal is Achieved

The GLFT funds projects that create or enhance shore-based access to fishing, which includes construction or improvement of boardwalks and fishing piers with adjacent amenities such as parking and walkways.

Application Information

To submit an application, please download and follow the 2011 Access to the Great Lakes Fishery Application Guidance document, which will provide you with proposal requirements, submission and award dates, and instructions on submitting an application. Please use these instructions to complete the standard and required budget form for your proposal and to review budget definitions for access grants.

Applications are due by August 25, 2011, at 3:00 PM EST. Funding decisions will be made by the GLFT’s Board of Trustees on November 8, 2011. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions by November 23, 2011.

Do not use this application if your project involves the acquisition of property. For more information about land acquisition projects, click here.

Further Information

If you have questions about the project you are proposing, contact Jonathon Beard. If you have technical questions about submitting your application and/or the proposal process, contact Amy Rittenhouse. Both can be reached at (517) 371-7468 or glft@glft.org.

To review previous grants made in this category, please visit the Resource Library.

Grants to Improve Shore-based Fishing, Deadline August 25

Boating Infrastructure Grants, Deadline May 15

INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT PROGRAM
Program Objective(s):
To provide construction of recreational boating facilities in the state that meet the following goals:

  • Create dockage for transient recreational boats 26 feet or larger in order to provide access to recreational opportunities and safe harbors;
  • Provide navigational aids for transient boaters using these facilities;
  • Enhance access to recreational, historic, cultural, natural, and scenic resources;
  • Strengthen local ties to the boating community and its economic benefits;
  • Promote public/private partnerships and entrepreneurial opportunities;
  • Provide continuity of public access to the water, and;
  • Promote awareness of transient boating opportunities.

Criteria:
All facilities constructed under this program must be:

  • Designed to accommodate boats 26 feet or greater in length;
  • Used by transient boaters (boaters not at their home port and staying not more than 10 consecutive days);
  • Open to the public;
  • No commercial uses or seasonal slips allowed;
  • Designed and constructed to last at least 20 years;
  • Continue to be used for their original stated grant purpose; and
  • Maintained throughout their useful life.

Activities that are not allowed under the program include:

  • Routine custodial and/or janitorial maintenance activities (those that occur regularly on an annual or more frequent basis);
  • Construction of slips for long-term rental (more than 10 days);
  • Construction or maintenance of facilities designed for trailerable boats;
  • Maintenance or dredging;
  • Dry land storage or haul out facilities;
  • Activities or construction that does not provide public benefit.

On-site investigation by Recreation Division (RD) staff may be required to determine
suitability of proposed work; applicant may be required to document area boating demand.

Additional State Requirements:
• Waterways Grant-in-Aid Program Requirements

Eligibility:
Local units of government (city, village, township or county), public universities, and private
facilities

Application Process:
1. Submit Boating Infrastructure Grant Program application form to Department of Natural Resources, RD.
2. Submit a Boating Infrastructure Grant Program Proposal.
3. Technical review of applications will be conducted by RD staff. After May 15, grant applications are potentially recommended to proceed with a final version of a proposal
to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Deadline(s):
Applications must be received by the Department of Natural Resources, RD, in Lansing office
by 5:00 PM, May 15.

Timeline(s):
The Boating Infrastructure Grant application initial review and funding process for projects is from May 15 until the federal government appropriates funding for projects. If the potential project application is approved to proceed, the applicant will then be asked to develop and complete a proposal with associated federal forms with the goal of submitting to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service by approximately September 21, 2011. Exact date to be announced. If the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approves the project proposal, the applicant will then be asked to submit a full package of required documents. An applicant will then be required to sign a third-party agreement with the Department of Natural Resources, PRD before proceeding with final engineering documents and construction.

Contact us for more information!

Boating Infrastructure Grants, Deadline May 15

Coastal Management Grants, Due May 16

Coastal Management Program Grants & Application
shoreline, Michigan, Omena

The 2012 Coastal Management Program Request for Proposals and associated Grant Application and Project Budget Forms are now available!

The request for proposals (RFP) is for Coastal Zone Management (CZM) grant funds for Fiscal Year 2012 projects that further the objectives of the Michigan Coastal Management Program (MCMP).  Since 1978, the MCMP has provided financial assistance to eligible applicants to plan community land use and manage growth; protect, manage and restore coastal habitats; restore historic maritime structures; revitalize urban waterfronts; and increase recreational opportunities along Michigan’s Great Lakes coast.  Grants are offered on a competitive basis to eligible applicants (coastal communities).  Grant funds are passed-through by the MCMP and are made available from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), pursuant to the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) of 1972.

The application must be submitted in two forms: 1) A hard copy of all applicable items in the Application Checklist (pages 6 – 7) must be mailed or delivered to the address below.  2) Items 2 – 6 of the Application Checklist must also be submitted in electronic form (MS Word or text file).   The electronic form must be submitted as a data disk (CD or DVD) with the hard copy application or e-mailed.

Contact us for more information!

Coastal Management Grants, Due May 16

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, Due April 11

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative
2011 Request for Applications

Announcement Number: EPA-R5-GL2011-1

EPA is soliciting applications for grants and cooperative agreements to be awarded as part of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Up to $40 million may be awarded under this Request for Applications for about 150 projects, contingent on the availability of appropriations, the quality of applications received, and other applicable considerations.

This RFA is EPA’s major competitive grant funding opportunity under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative for FY2011 and is one of several funding opportunities available through federal agencies under the GLRI. The RFA requests applications for projects in the categories listed below:

Toxic Substances and Areas of Concern

  • Delist Areas of Concern/Beneficial Use Impairments
  • Pollution Prevention and Toxics Reduction

Invasive Species

  • Invasive Species Control
  • Invasive Species Prevention
  • Early Warning System for Invasive Species

Nearshore Health and Nonpoint Source Pollution

  • Project Implementation to Make Beaches Safer
  • Reduce Impairments and Stressors of Nearshore Waters
  • Watershed Remediation
  • Green Marinas and Ports
  • Areal Extent and Duration of Harmful Algal Blooms

Accountability, Education, Monitoring, Evaluation, Communication, and Partnerships

  • Education and Outreach
  • Implement Lakewide Management Plan Projects

EPA will host two webinars to explain the RFA and answer your questions. There is no charge to participate, but you must preregister.
* Wednesday, March 9, 2011, 10 a.m. – noon CST
Registration Web Link: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/778176848
* Thursday, March 17, 2011, 10 a.m. – noon CDT
Registration Web Link: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/214473136

Submit an application
Applications must be submitted to EPA via http://apply.glnpo.net/ by noon Central time on April 11, 2011. See Section IV for further submission information.

Download the Request for Applications [PDF 248 Kb, 53 pages, rev. 2-25-2011]

Posted Date: February 25, 2011

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, Due April 11

Conservation Innovation Grants, Deadline March 4

The Michigan Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), an agency under the United States Department of Agriculture, is announcing availability of Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. Applications are accepted from Michigan only.

Stream Restoration Project, Kid's Creek

Applications are requested from eligible governmental or non-governmental organizations or individuals for competitive consideration of grant awards for projects between 1 and 3 years in duration. Funds will be awarded through a State wide competitive grant process which will require all applicants to submit a complete and fully documentedapplication package.

DATES: Applications must be received at the NRCS Michigan State Office by 4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST), on March 4, 2011. ADDRESSES: The address for hand-delivered, US Postal delivery, express mail or overnight courier service for applications is: Natural Resources Conservation Service, Conservation Innovation Grants Program, 3001 Coolidge Rd., Suite 250, East Lansing, MI 48823.

For more information contact: Steven V. Law CIG Program Manager Natural Resources Conservation Service 3001 Coolidge Rd. East Lansing, MI 48823 Phone: (517) 324-5282 Fax: (517) 324-5180 Email: Steven.Law@mi.usda.gov
Eligible Applicants

  • State governments
  • County governments
  • City or township governments
  • Special district governments
  • Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
  • Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
  • Individuals
  • For profit organizations other than small businesses
  • Small businesses

Document Type:     Grants Notice
Funding Opportunity Number:     USDA-NRCS-MI-11-01
Opportunity Category:     Discretionary
Current Closing Date for Applications:     Mar 04, 2011
Archive Date:     Apr 03, 2011
Funding Instrument Type:     Grant
Category of Funding Activity:     Agriculture
Expected Number of Awards:     3
Estimated Total Program Funding:     $225,000
Award Ceiling:     $75,000
CFDA Number(s):     10.912  —  Environmental Quality Incentives Program
Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement:     No

Conservation Innovation Grants, Deadline March 4

Great Lakes Water Protection Act

This was a bi-partisan sponsored bill presented to the US Senate January 26. The bill is SB 147 and is sponsored by Dick Durbin and Mark Kirk.

The text of the initial bill is provided below.

 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Great Lakes Water Protection Act’.

SEC. 2. PROHIBITION ON SEWAGE DUMPING INTO THE GREAT LAKES.

Section 402 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1342) is amended by adding at the end the following:

`(s) Prohibition on Sewage Dumping Into the Great Lakes-

`(1) DEFINITIONS- In this subsection:

`(A) BYPASS- The term `bypass’ means an intentional diversion of waste streams to bypass any portion of a treatment facility which results in a discharge into the Great Lakes.

`(B) GREAT LAKES- The term `Great Lakes’ has the meaning given the term in section 118(a)(3).

`(C) TREATMENT FACILITY- The term `treatment facility’ includes all wastewater treatment units used by a publicly owned treatment works to meet secondary treatment standards or higher, as required to attain water quality standards, under any operating conditions.

`(D) TREATMENT WORKS- The term `treatment works’ has the meaning given the term in section 212.

`(2) PROHIBITION- A publicly owned treatment works is prohibited from intentionally diverting waste streams to bypass any portion of a treatment facility at the treatment works if the diversion results in a discharge into the Great Lakes unless–

`(A)(i) the bypass is unavoidable to prevent loss of life, personal injury, or severe property damage;

`(ii) there is not a feasible alternative to the bypass, such as the use of auxiliary treatment facilities, retention of untreated wastes, or maintenance during normal periods of equipment downtime; and

`(iii) the treatment works provides notice of the bypass in accordance with this subsection; or

`(B) the bypass does not cause effluent limitations to be exceeded, and the bypass is for essential maintenance to ensure efficient operation of the treatment facility.

`(3) LIMITATION- The requirement of paragraph (2)(A)(ii) is not satisfied if–

`(A) adequate back-up equipment should have been installed in the exercise of reasonable engineering judgment to prevent the bypass; and

`(B) the bypass occurred during normal periods of equipment downtime or preventive maintenance.

`(4) NOTICE REQUIREMENTS- A publicly owned treatment works shall provide to the Administrator (or to the State, in the case of a State that has a permit program approved under this section)–

`(A) prior notice of an anticipated bypass; and

`(B) notice of an unanticipated bypass by not later than 24 hours after the time at which the treatment works first becomes aware of the bypass.

`(5) FOLLOW-UP NOTICE REQUIREMENTS- In the case of an unanticipated bypass for which a publicly owned treatment works provides notice under paragraph (4)(B), the treatment works shall provide to the Administrator (or to the State in the case of a State that has a permit program approved under this section), not later than 5 days following the date on which the treatment works first becomes aware of the bypass, a follow-up notice containing a description of–

`(A) the cause of the bypass;

`(B) the reason for the bypass;

`(C) the period of bypass, including the exact dates and times;

`(D) if the bypass has not been corrected, the anticipated time the bypass is expected to continue;

`(E) the volume of the discharge resulting from the bypass;

`(F) any public access areas that may be impacted by the bypass; and

`(G) steps taken or planned to reduce, eliminate, and prevent reoccurrence of the bypass.

`(6) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY OF NOTICES- A publicly owned treatment works providing a notice under this subsection, and the Administrator (or the State, in the case of a State that has a permit program approved under this section) receiving such a notice, shall each post the notice, by not later than 48 hours after providing or receiving the notice (as the case may be), in a searchable database accessible on the Internet.

`(7) SEWAGE BLENDING- Bypasses prohibited by this section include bypasses resulting in discharges from a publicly owned treatment works that consist of effluent routed around treatment units and thereafter blended together with effluent from treatment units prior to discharge.

`(8) IMPLEMENTATION- Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Administrator shall establish procedures to ensure that permits issued under this section (or under a State permit program approved under this section) to a publicly owned treatment works include requirements to implement this subsection.

`(9) INCREASE IN MAXIMUM CIVIL PENALTY FOR VIOLATIONS OCCURRING AFTER JANUARY 1, 2031- Notwithstanding section 309, in the case of a violation of this subsection occurring on or after January 1, 2031, or any violation of a permit limitation or condition implementing this subsection occurring after such date, the maximum civil penalty that shall be assessed for the violation shall be $100,000 per day for each day the violation occurs.

`(10) APPLICABILITY- This subsection shall apply to a bypass occurring after the last day of the 1-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this subsection.’.

SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF GREAT LAKES CLEANUP FUND.

(a) In General- Title V of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) is amended–

(1) by redesignating section 519 (33 U.S.C. 1251 note) as section 520; and

(2) by inserting after section 518 (33 U.S.C. 1377) the following:

`SEC. 519. ESTABLISHMENT OF GREAT LAKES CLEANUP FUND.

`(a) Definitions- In this section:

`(1) FUND- The term `Fund’ means the Great Lakes Cleanup Fund established by subsection (b).

`(2) GREAT LAKES; GREAT LAKES STATES- The terms `Great Lakes’ and `Great Lakes States’ have the meanings given the terms in section 118(a)(3).

`(b) Establishment of Fund- There is established in the Treasury of the United States a trust fund to be known as the `Great Lakes Cleanup Fund’ (in this section referred to as the `Fund’).

`(c) Transfers to Fund- Effective January 1, 2031, there are authorized to be appropriated to the Fund amounts equivalent to the penalties collected for violations of section 402(s).

`(d) Administration of Fund- The Administrator shall administer the Fund.

`(e) Use of Funds- The Administrator shall–

`(1) make the amounts in the Fund available to the Great Lakes States for use in carrying out programs and activities for improving wastewater discharges into the Great Lakes, including habitat protection and wetland restoration; and

`(2) allocate those amounts among the Great Lakes States based on the proportion that–

`(A) the amount attributable to a Great Lakes State for penalties collected for violations of section 402(s); bears to

`(B) the total amount of those penalties attributable to all Great Lakes States.

`(f) Priority- In selecting programs and activities to be funded using amounts made available under this section, a Great Lakes State shall give priority consideration to programs and activities that address violations of section 402(s) resulting in the collection of penalties.’.

(b) Conforming Amendment to State Revolving Fund Program- Section 607 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1387) is amended–

(1) by inserting `(a) In General- ‘ before `There is’; and

(2) by adding at the end the following:

`(b) Treatment of Great Lakes Cleanup Fund- For purposes of this title, amounts made available from the Great Lakes Cleanup Fund under section 519 shall be treated as funds authorized to be appropriated to carry out this title and as funds made available under this title, except that the funds shall be made available to the Great Lakes States in accordance with section 519.’.

Great Lakes Water Protection Act

Great Lakes Coastal AOC Grants, Deadline Feb 2

NOAA Great Lakes Habitat Restoration Program Project Grants under the U.S. Great Lakes Restoration Initiative in Areas of Concern

NOAA delivers funding and technical expertise to restore Great Lakes coastal habitats. These habitats support valuable fisheries and protected resources; improve the quality of our water; provide recreational opportunities for the public’s use and enjoyment; and buffer our coastal communities from the impacts of changing lake levels. Projects funded through NOAA have strong on-the-ground habitat restoration components that provide social and economic benefits for people and their communities in addition to long-term ecological habitat improvements. Through this solicitation, NOAA seeks to openly compete funding available for habitat restoration in U.S. Great Lakes Areas of Concern (http://www.epa.gov/glnpo/aoc/) under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative as anticipated in the President’s FY2011 Budget. Applications should be submitted for any project that is to be considered for this funding, even for those projects already submitted as applications to other NOAA competitions. Competition will ensure that the most beneficial restoration projects are selected to realize significant ecological gains and ensure that projects are “shovel-ready.” Applications selected for funding through this solicitation will be implemented through a grant or cooperative agreement, with awards dependent upon the amount of funds made available to NOAA for this purpose by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. NOAA anticipates up to $5 million may be available for Great Lakes coastal habitat restoration; typical awards are expected to range between $1 million to $4 million. NOAA will also accept proposals for engineering and design of habitat restoration projects; typical awards are expected to range between $75,000 and $350,000. Funds will be administered by NOAA’s Great Lakes Habitat Restoration Program (GLHRP).

Current Closing Date for Applications:     Feb 02, 2011
Expected Number of Awards:     20
Estimated Total Program Funding:     $5,000,000
CFDA Number(s):     11.463  —  Habitat Conservation
Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement:     No

Eligible Applicants

  • institutions of higher education
  • non-profits
  • industry and commercial (for profit) organization
  • organizations under the jurisdiction of foreign governments
  • international organizations
  • state, local and Indian tribal governments.

Applications from federal agencies or employees of federal agencies will not be considered. Federal agencies are strongly encouraged to work with states, non-governmental organizations, municipal and county governments, conservation corps organizations and others that are eligible to apply. The Department of Commerce/ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (DOC/NOAA) is strongly committed to broadening the participation of historically black colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, tribal colleges and universities, and institutions that work in under-served areas. The GLHRP encourages applications involving any of the above institutions.

Through this solicitation, NOAA seeks to openly compete funding available for habitat restoration in U.S. Great Lakes Areas of Concern (http://www.epa.gov/glnpo/aoc/ ) under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative as anticipated in the President’s FY2011 Budget.

Great Lakes Coastal AOC Grants, Deadline Feb 2