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DEP Awards $1.2 Million In Coastal Zone Grants, Next Round Of Apps Due
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The Department of Environmental Protection Wednesday announced it has awarded $1.2 million in Coastal Zone Management Grants to organizations dedicated to protecting and preserving Pennsylvania's coastal zones along Lake Erie and the Delaware Estuary.
The application period for the next round of Coastal Zone Management Grants will be open until October 17. Nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, local governments and authorities and state agencies are eligible.
Coastal Zone Management grants are intended to support programs that measure the impact of various pollution sources, improve public access, preserve habitat and educate the public on the benefits of the state's coastal zones.
"Our coastal waters of the Delaware Estuary and Lake Erie are a unique gift, but with this gift comes responsibility," DEP Secretary Mike Krancer said. "These grants will help us protect and conserve these great coastal resources for all of our citizens and visitors to enjoy, and they will benefit our economy."
The annual grants, largely funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, were awarded to 26 non-profit and government organizations in counties that border Pennsylvania's coastal zones or have a direct impact on water quality in those areas.
Coastal zones and adjacent shore land face increasing pressure from development, erosion, biodiversity losses and pollution. Pennsylvania has two coastal areas; a 112-mile stretch along the Delaware Estuary and 76 miles along Lake Erie.
The Delaware Estuary coastal zone is in Bucks, Delaware and Philadelphia counties and contains islands, marshes and the shore lands of tributaries that are affected by ocean tides. The Delaware Estuary is considered one of the largest freshwater ports in the world.
The Lake Erie coastal zone is in Erie County and includes several major tributaries' shorelines. The zone extends 3.6 miles inland on the eastern side and about 800 feet on the western side of the City of Erie, all to the middle of the lake, which is the Canadian boundary.
A list of grants awarded is available online.
To apply for the next round of grants, visit DEP's Coastal Zone Management webpage.
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10/3/2011 |
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