GLIN==> U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2011 Request for Applications

UP TO $40 MILLION AVAILABLE FROM EPA FOR GREAT LAKES RESTORATION
PROJECTS
(CHICAGO – Feb. 25, 2011) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today
announced that the agency is requesting applications from states,
municipalities, tribes and nonprofit organizations for new projects to
protect and restore the Great Lakes.  President Obama has proposed a
total of $300 million in funding for the Great Lakes Restoration
Initiative in Fiscal Year 2011, with approximately $40 million of that
total allocated to EPA for distribution through this competitive grant
program.  The final budget is subject to Congressional appropriation.

“These grants will support critical work to protect the Great Lakes,
which provide drinking water to 30 million Americans and support a
multi-billion dollar economy,” said EPA Region 5 Administrator and Great
Lakes National Program Manager Susan Hedman.  “This year we are
particularly interested in projects that create new jobs – for instance,
using a conservation corps model for environmental restoration.”

Grants are available to fund a wide range of projects, including work to
target invasive species, to reduce the impact of toxic substances and
nonpoint pollution, to protect public health, and to clean up heavily
contaminated “Areas of Concern” around the Great Lakes Basin.

"The work funded by these grants will help to ensure that Great Lakes
water is safe to drink, the fish are safe to eat, and that beaches and
waters are safe for swimming and recreation,"  said Hedman.

Applications are due by noon on April 11.  Webinars on the application
process will be held at 10 a.m. on March 9 and March 17.

See more information about applying for GLRI grants at
www.epa.gov/greatlakes/fund/2011rfa01/.  More information about the
Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is at www.greatlakesrestoration.us/.

CONTACT:
Anne Rowan, 312-353-9391, rowan.anne at epa.gov
Mick Hans, 312-353-5050, hans.mick at epa.gov