EPA Announces $5 Million For Great Lakes Cleanup Projects

CLEVELAND — The EPA announced $5 million in funding for Great Lakes trash cleanup projects this week.

During a news conference in Michigan, EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler said organizations will be able to compete for $5 million in Trash Free Water grants, part of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Wheeler said the application period for grants should open before the end of 2020.

“Restoring the health and vibrancy of the Great Lakes and the communities that are woven into their brilliance, has been one of my biggest ambitions since becoming head of EPA,” Wheeler said. “We continue to expand The Great Lakes Trash Free Waters program, and our goal is to install a variety of trash collection devices across Great Lakes harbors and waterfronts in the coming years.”

Projects will be eligible if they focus on Great Lakes harbor and waterfront trash prevention and clean-up. The EPA will emphasize projects that use mechanical devices, vessels and other technology to remove trash already in the water.

Trash Free Great Lakes grants were first issued in December 2019, when a total of $2 million in grants were awarded to seven organizations. The second round of grant recipients should be announced by summer 2021.

“This innovative grant program will once again rely upon the collaboration and strong partnerships which have fueled progress and so many successes under the GLRI,” said EPA Region 5 Administrator and Great Lakes National Program Manager Kurt Thiede. "This funding will help communities across Michigan and the Great Lakes basin ensure their harbors and waterfronts are trash-free.”