Gov. Doyle: Announces $1.6 million for Wisconsin’s coastal communities

Contacts: Laura Smith, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2162
Carla Vigue, Department of Administration, 608-266-7362

MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle announced today $1.6 million in grants to protect and enhance Wisconsin’s coastal communities and natural resources. The Governor awarded 39 grants that will be used by nonprofit organizations, as well as local, state, and tribal governments to assist with projects totaling nearly $5.4 million.

“Our wise stewardship of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior is critical to the long term environmental and economic health of Wisconsin,” Governor Doyle said. “The Great Lakes provide us with drinking water, commerce and recreation. They are critical habitat to countless species of plants and animals. I am pleased to announce these investments to support efforts to protect our coastal resources, ensuring that the integrity of our lakes will be maintained for future generations.”

The grants will support projects that will protect and sustain resources in coastal communities. Funds will be used for enhancing public recreational access to the lakes, wetland preservation, storm water management, education, habitat protection, and the protection of critical land.

As Chair of the Council of Great Lakes Governors since 2004, Governor Doyle has led major efforts to protect, preserve and improve the Great Lakes for future generations. His work to identify key priorities to protect the Great Lakes became the foundation for the work of the Great Lakes Action Plan. Governor Doyle also helped make history with the passage of the Great Lakes Compact, ensuring the protection of the world's largest fresh water basin for generations to come, and has taken aggressive steps to stop the spread of Asian carp and other invasive species into the Great Lakes.

Recipients for this year’s grants were recommended by the Wisconsin Coastal Management Council, a Governor-appointed citizen and governmental advisory group. The Wisconsin Coastal Management Program, which administers the grant program, balances natural resource protection and sustainable economic development along Wisconsin's Great Lakes coasts. Additional information about the Coastal Management program can be found at http://coastal.wisconsin.gov.

A complete list of grants can be found at: http://www.wisgov.state.wi.us/docview.asp?docid=19567