SANDUSKY, OH - Seven grants totaling more than $250,000 have been awarded by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to organizations and communities along the coast to improve and protect Lake Erie - Ohio’s greatest natural resource. Coastal Management Assistance Grants allow communities and organizations to develop comprehensive resource-protection plans, improve access to Lake Erie's shore, conduct research and education, and develop outdoor recreational facilities.
This year’s grant recipients include the Cuyahoga County Board of Health ($39,322), Cuyahoga County Soil & Water Conservation District ($50,000), Lorain County Board of Commissioners ($67,600), Ohio Environmental Council ($8,641), City of Sandusky ($40,000), Sandusky River Watershed Coalition ($40,606) and Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments ($43,230).
“A number of this year’s Coastal Management Assistance Grants will help us improve watersheds in the Lake Erie basin and reduce nonpoint source pollution before it enters the lake,” said ODNR Director Sam Speck. “Protecting our Lake Erie resources is something that cannot be accomplished by state government alone, and these grants strengthen local partnerships that are essential to achieving our goals.”
Each project selected addresses at least one category of ODNR's Strategic Action Plan for Coastal Management. The categories are: water resources and watersheds; coastal land use and development; coastal habitat, wetlands and natural areas; coastal flooding and erosion; recreational opportunities; and fisheries and wildlife resources.
Funding for the Coastal Management Assistance Grant Program is provided by the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis, with each recipient matching its grant with at least 50 percent of the project's total cost.
ODNR has awarded more than $2.1 million in Coastal Management Assistance Grants since the program began in 1997. Applications and guidelines for the next round of grants to be awarded in 2006 will be available in the fall by contacting the ODNR Office of Coastal Management at 419-626-7980 or online at ohiodnr.com/coastal.
Cuyahoga County Board of Health - Cuyahoga County will receive a $39,322 grant for a Community Plan for the Mill Creek Watershed. This project seeks to address the increasing impacts of nonpoint source pollution within the Mill Creek Watershed through the development of a Comprehensive Community Plan. This includes a gap analysis of information that is necessary for the completion of a State Endorsed Watershed Action Plan. ($87,294 total project cost)
Cuyahoga County Soil & Water Conservation District - Cuyahoga County will receive a $50,000 grant for Euclid Creek Restoration Subwatershed Planning. The project will determine the needs and methods to address coastal nonpoint pollution and examine the restoration alternatives, feasibility, costs and application within the lower Euclid Creek subwatershed. ($112,000 total project cost)
Lorain County Board of Commissioners - Lorain County will receive a $33,800 grant for the Black River Watershed Action Plan. State endorsable watershed action plans will be developed for three sub-watersheds in the Black River Watershed. The plans will focus on developing implementation activities and management measures to address nonpoint source pollution. ($67,600 total project cost)
Ohio Environmental Council, Lake Erie Region - The OEC will receive an $8,641 grant for the Northwest Ohio Sustainable Watershed Project. The project will build long-term financial sustainability for Northwest Ohio watershed groups so they can become sustainable forces in their communities for watershed protection and restoration. This will be accomplished by providing interactive fundraising workshops. ($17,282 total project cost)
City of Sandusky, Erie County - The city will receive $40,000 for the Sandusky Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Master Plan. The master plan will include the entire park system while focusing on waterfront access and development. The plan will provide guidance to the city to assure that the needs of the community are met in regard to the use of the parks and waterfront destinations as well as recreational opportunities for the future. ($80,000 total project cost)
Sandusky River Watershed Coalition, Seneca and Sandusky counties - The coalition will receive a $40,606 grant for a Watershed Action Plan for the Sandusky River in the Tiffin area. A state-endorsable watershed action plan will be developed to address coastal nonpoint management measures and will integrate and update previous comprehensive community plans within the watershed. ($81,212 total project cost)
Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments, Wood, Sandusky and Ottawa counties - The council will receive a $43,230 grant for a Portage River Watershed Action Plan. A comprehensive plan will be developed with the approval and endorsement of the ODNR, Ohio EPA and Ohio State University Extension for communities and residents in the Portage River Watershed. This plan will focus on future water quality projects and decisions in agreement with agricultural practices, drinking water supplies, habitat restoration, floodplain protection and economic development. It will be developed with stakeholder involvement. ($86,460 total project cost)