Trash-Free Great Lakes Program Announced By EPA

CLEVELAND — During a visit to Cleveland this month, the Environmental Protection Agency announced $2 million in grant funding for trash-free water projects specifically focused on the Great Lakes.

"Removing trash, litter and garbage - including plastics - from marine and freshwater environments is one of EPA's highest priorities," said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. "The Trash-Free Great Lakes Grant Program is intended to fund efforts by communities and other applicants to clean up beaches and waterways so that the Great Lakes watershed will continue to provide habitat for wildlife and drinking water and recreation for tens of millions of people."

The grant funding will fall under the purview of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. EPA said it expects to issue a request for projects in October. Once that request is made, applicants will have approximately 45 days to respond.

EPA said about $2 million in total funding will be available, with a maximum grant of $500,000 per project. Up to 12 grants could be awarded, EPA said, including two large projects and 10 smaller scale projects.

Possible projects could be focused on litter prevention and education, harbor clean-up, river clean-up or beach and shoreline clean-up. State agencies, local governments, nonprofit organizations, interstate agencies, college and universities and federally recognized tribes will be able to apply for the grants.

"This first-of-its-kind trash-focused grant program is yet another example of progress being made under the GLRI," said EPA Region 5 Administrator/Great Lakes National Program Manager Cathy Stepp. "Thanks to this funding, a number of Great Lakes communities can receive a meaningful assist in removing trash and litter from beaches, shorelines and waterways where cleanup projects are sorely needed."