Eligible Activities for Environmental Grants

DEFINITION OF ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL GRANTS

PROTECTING AND/OR RESTORING ENVIRONMENTAL INTEGRITY OF THE COASTAL AREAS

Shorelines – including sandy beaches, tributaries, bluffs, wetlands, backland forests and fragile dunes – are often the most distinguishing and cherished feature for communities living along the shores of the Great Lakes.

Shorelines are also key public spaces including parks, boardwalks and civic centers where businesses like waterfront restaurants and marinas contribute to a robust economy. As such, shorelines need to be preserved to ensure their health, accessibility and scenic beauty.

Examples of opportunities to protect and restore coastal integrity:

Promote land use planning
Encourage wetlands preservation and restoration
Protect fragile dunes
Encourage public access
Protect and restore the ecological health of beaches
Restore natural habitats

WATER PROTECTION AND IMPROVEMENT – GREAT LAKES AND RELATED TRIBUTARIES

The water in our Great Lakes is valuable. The value is increasing as evidenced by the fact that governments outside the Great Lake Basin are petitioning to divert Great Lakes water. We have an asset that must be protected for the economic and physical health of our communities.

While significant efforts have been made to improve the quality of water, the increasing number of beach closings due to contaminated water and the need for fish advisories are indications that water quality needs on-going attention.

Examples of watershed improvement opportunities:

Control water pollution from known sources
Control the problems associated with polluted runoff
Promote sustainable farming practices
Address causes of beach closings
Improve sewage treatment and management
Encourage land use planning that supports smart growth and the preservation of open lands
Protect endangered shoreline plants and animals
Encourage community based shoreline and river clean up
Address public health issues concerning drinking water
Conduct watershed management planning
Promote sound data collection including water monitoring
Address contaminated sediments
Restore fish and wildlife habitat

Application Form (pdf)