Governor Walker Announces $2.3 Million in Grants for Wisconsin’s Coastal Communities

MADISON – Today, Governor Scott Walker will award a $24,250 coastal grant to Saxon Harbor in Iron County to aid in recovery efforts from storms that damaged the harbor in July.  Additionally, Governor Walker announced $1.3 million in grants to protect and improve the natural resources, support the quality of life and foster economic development in Wisconsin’s coastal communities. Administered by the Wisconsin Department of Administration’s Wisconsin Coastal Management Program (WCMP), the 37 grants will be used by local and state governments, regional planning commissions, universities, and nonprofit organizations to assist with projects across the state.

Recipients for this year’s grants were recommended by the Wisconsin Coastal Management Council, a Governor-appointed citizen and governmental advisory group. The funds are part of Wisconsin’s federally-funded Coastal Management Program.  A complete list of grants is attached.

Governor Walker also announced a $1 million grant to protect 1.25 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline in the City of Port Washington. Also administered by WCMP, the grant will be used by Ozaukee County for the acquisition of 102 acres to add to the Ozaukee County Park System. The Clay Bluffs/Cedar Gorge project protects scenic vistas from its high bluffs, important migratory bird habitat, and public access along the Lake Michigan Water Trail.

The Ozaukee County grant was selected through a national competition of proposals from seven Great Lakes states that participate in the Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program. This national program protects important coastal and estuarine areas that have significant conservation, recreation, ecological, historical, or aesthetic values.

Wisconsin’s Great Lakes are an important economic, cultural and natural resource. Lake Michigan and Lake Superior provide the people of Wisconsin with drinking water, commerce and recreation, and are a reason so many people live and visit the state. 

The intergovernmental and private sector collaborations aided by the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program advance Wisconsin’s and regional Great Lakes priorities such as enhancing public access, sustainable use practices, habitat restoration, and pollution control. 

The Wisconsin Coastal Management Program balances natural resource protection and sustainable economic development along Wisconsin's Great Lakes coasts. The program awards federal funds from the Office for Coastal Management in the U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to local governments and other entities for innovative coastal initiatives.

Additional information about the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program can be found at http://coastal.wisconsin.gov.