The National Sea Grant College Program, part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, has designated Penn State University's Behrend College campus in Erie as the Institutional Sea Grant Program for Pennsylvania.

Since its establishment as a small Sea Grant project in 1998, Pennsylvania Sea Grant has been on a steady path toward this significant designation. The program's new designation as an Institutional Program marks the last step before designation as a full Sea Grant College Program.

Pennsylvania Sea Grant has a history of strong partnerships in the state and has already created relevant programs within the northwest region of Pennsylvania, the Lake Erie shoreline, and the Delaware River watershed. The program is also extending efforts into the Susquehanna River watershed.

The Penn State University system was awarded the designation of Institutional Sea Grant Program based on a record of excellent performance in promoting the ecological and economic sustainability of Pennsylvania's coastal resources and the Lake Erie watershed through science-based research, education, and community outreach.

Among its many achievements, Pennsylvania Sea Grant has chaired the Seaway Trail Pennsylvania Steering Committee since 2003. As a result of the committee's work, the Seaway Trail received National Scenic Byway designation from the Federal Highway Administration.

This designation made the trail eligible for tourism-related economic development projects along this corridor including $310,752 in federal funding to develop interpretive panels. In addition, more than $330,000 was secured for footpath construction.

For more information, visit the PA Sea Grant website.

7/18/2008