Joyce joins EPA administrator in announcing Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grants

U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) on July 19 helped unveil a new Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) grant program focused on funding trash-free water projects.

“The Great Lakes aren’t just an invaluable natural resource or an economic powerhouse,” Rep. Joyce said. “They’re a national treasure and the Trash-Free Great Lakes Grant Program will help us preserve them for future generations.”

Rep. Joyce joined Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler, who made the announcement about the GLRI grants following their tour of the Lake Guardian, the largest research vessel in the EPA fleet and the largest such ship currently operating on the Great Lakes.

“The research conducted on this ship drives the science we need to further our efforts to protect the Great Lakes,” said Rep. Joyce. “It was truly an honor to join Administrator Wheeler in meeting the Lake Guardian crew today and I applaud his announcement of GLRI’s newest grant program.”

Wheeler said that removing trash, litter and garbage from marine and freshwater environments is one of the EPA’s highest priorities and the GLRI program “is intended to fund efforts by communities and other applicants to clean up beaches and waterways so that the Great Lakes watershed will continue to provide habitat for wildlife and drinking water and recreation for tens of millions of people.”

Among those that are eligible for GLRI grants include state agencies, federally recognized tribes, local government agencies, nonprofits, interstate agencies, and colleges and universities, according to information provided by Rep. Joyce’s office.

Some of the possible types of eligible projects include Great Lakes beach and shoreline cleanup projects, harbor and river cleanup projects, and trash and litter prevention and education projects, according to the information.