ODNR News Releases - Two Ohio Coastal Acquisition Projects Receive Funding through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative


Two Ohio Coastal Acquisition Projects Receive Funding through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Mar 12 Written by: news editor 3/12/2010 1:00 AM 03/12/10 Public access to Ohio’s 312-mile Lake Erie coast will be enhanced by $1.2 million in Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) funding. Two Ohio Coastal Acquisition Projects Receive Funding through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Sandusky, OH – Public access to Ohio’s 312-mile Lake Erie coast will be enhanced by $1.2 million in Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) funding. Acquisition projects on Kelleys Island (Erie County) and north of the village of Perry (Lake County) were recently awarded GLRI funds dedicated to the Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program. The Department of Natural Resources’ Office of Coastal Management leads Ohio’s Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program (CELCP), which is nationally administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The program provides federal funding for purchasing lands or conservation easements from willing sellers on lands which are considered ecologically, recreationally, historically or aesthetically important. Once acquired, the lands are protected in perpetuity for low-impact public enjoyment. “These acquisitions will provide new opportunities for local residents and visitors to Ohio’s Lake Erie region by providing economic and social benefits that are balanced with the preservation of coastal treasures,” said ODNR Director Sean D. Logan. “I applaud our local coastal partners for having the vision to set aside these areas for the public into the future.” Erie MetroParks is partnering with the Western Reserve Land Conservancy (WRLC) on the Kelleys Island Preserve acquisition, which was awarded $476,000. This money will be matched with cash and in-kind services from WRLC to acquire 18.5 acres of red cedar forest on the east side of the island. The property is northeast of the intersection of Woodford and Monagan roads, the later of which runs parallel to the east boundary of Kelleys Island State Park. The Lake Erie Bluff Preservation Project, awarded $732,600, will be acquired and managed by Lake Metroparks. The federal dollars will be matched locally with Clean Ohio and Lake Metroparks funds to acquire 114 acres of coastal bluffs, beach and upland property along the southeast corner of the intersection of Blackmore (County Highway119) and Clark roads, and extending north of Clark Road to the shore. Lake Metroparks is working on the acquisition with the Trust for Public Land, which will first acquire the property from Shore Haven Land Company. Both acquisition projects were submitted as part of Ohio’s federal fiscal year 2010 request for the annually awarded, nationally competitive CELCP funding. The island preserve ranked 16 and the bluff preservation 31 out of 57 nationally ranked projects. Ohio has received more than $18 million in CELCP funding which has leveraged more than $35.3 million local dollars to acquire 3,265 acres from willing sellers. Funded projects are found on the CELCP page under “Programs” at ohiodnr.com/coastal. The Office of Coastal Management works to achieve a balance between use and preservation of Lake Erie's coastal resources, in collaboration with our partners, by effectively administering the Ohio Coastal Management Program. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR web site at www.ohiodnr.com. -30- *For further information, contact:* Sandra Kosek-Sills, Office of Coastal Management CELCP Coordinator 419.626.7980 sandra.kosek-sills@dnr.state.oh.us ohiodnr.com/coastal Stephen Dice, Erie MetroParks Executive Director 419.625.7783 director@eriemetroparks.org eriemetroparks.com Eddie Dengg, Western Reserve Land Conservancy Field Director 330.204.2221 edengg@wrlc.cc www.wrlc.cc Steve Madewell, Lake Metroparks Executive Director 440.639.7275 smadewell@lakemetroparks.com lakemetroparks.com Dave Vasarhelyi, The Trust for Public Land Project Manager 216.928.7518 x104 dave.vasarhelyi@tpl.org www.tpl.org Heidi Hetzel-Evans, ODNR Media Relations 614.265.6860 Trackback Print Location: Blogs ODNR NEWS Coastal Tags: