U.S. EPA Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

The EPA has announced the Great Lakes Restorative Initiative grant will be used to competitively provide funding to eligible entities to address the most significant Great Lakes ecosystem problems and efforts in five major focus areas:
• Toxic Substances and Areas of Concern, including pollution prevention and cleanup of the most polluted areas in the Great Lakes.
• Invasive Species, including efforts to institute a “zero tolerance policy” toward new invasions.
• Nearshore Health and Nonpoint Source Pollution, including a targeted geographic focus on high priority watersheds and reducing polluted runoff from urban, suburban and, agricultural sources.
• Habitat and Wildlife Protection and Restoration, including bringing wetlands and other habitat back to life, and the first-ever comprehensive assessment of the entire 530,000 acres of Great Lakes coastal wetlands for the purpose of strategically targeting restoration and protection efforts in a science-based manner.
• Accountability, Education, Monitoring, Evaluation, Communication and Partnerships,
including the implementation of goal- and results-based accountability measures, learning initiatives, outreach and strategic partnerships.

State pollution control agencies, interstate agencies, Tribes, colleges, universities, and other public or non-profit private agencies, institutions, and organizations are eligible to apply for funding under this RFP; individuals and “for-profit” organizations are not eligible. Applications are due January 29, 2010.