A group of 12 organizations got together in the Chequamegon Bay area to get millions of dollars for Lake Superior programs. They hope that by joining forces, the otherwise small communities will be able to compete with the large cities for Great Lakes clean-up money.
The Chequamegon Bay Area Partnership is applying for $5-$8 million from the federal government for environmental programs. Marc Barbeau of the Sigurd Olson Institute in Ashland says this is a group of state, county, tribal and citizen organizations. They hope to get a nice chunk of the possible $475 million pie Congress is expected to approve for Great Lakes clean-up.
"Together, we will have a better chance to succeed for the benefit of the Bay rather than looking at it as we'll compete against each other for these dollars," Barbeau says.
The Red Cliff and Bad River bands of Chippewa are also part of this group. Bad River Watershed Association Director Michele Wheeler says getting together to apply for grants is important for their rural communities.
"Great Lakes-wide we think this is going to be enormously competitive and hope that it will be," Wheeler says. "It's important that in spending taxpayer dollars we're spending that in a good way so we absolutely anticipate it'll be competitive."
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The grants would pay for river restoration going into Chequamegon Bay and fight invasive species in Lake Superior and offer educational and conservation projects.
