Press Release: Coastal Awareness Month and $249,908 Special Merit Grant Funding for Lake Michigan Coastal Communities

STATE OF WISCONSIN

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION

Tony Evers, Governor

Joel Brennan, Secretary

Wisconsin Receives $249,908 Special Merit Grant Funding for Lake Michigan Coastal Communities

Governor Evers Proclaims September Coastal Awareness Month

Madison, Wis.– Governor Tony Evers has proclaimed September as Coastal Awareness Month in Wisconsin, recognizing the important role that Lake Michigan and Lake Superior serve in enhancing the economic and recreational opportunities, clean drinking water, and the quality of life for all Wisconsinites. The proclamation serves as a reminder to ensure the Great Lakes and coastal communities continue to be protected.

“The Great Lakes are fundamental to our identity and way of life as Wisconsinites,” said Governor Tony Evers. “As chair of the Great Lakes Governors and Premiers, I am committed to protecting our shoreline infrastructure, addressing climate change challenges, and growing our regional economy, not just during September’s Coastal Awareness Month, but year-round.” 

In addition, the state was recently awarded an 18-month $249,908 Project of Special Merit grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Funding from the Collaborative Action for Lake Michigan Coastal Resilience (CALM) grant will help Wisconsin's Lake Michigan communities to develop, revise, and adopt policies to improve coastal hazard resilience. 

“It’s our responsibility to respond to the environmental and economic challenges that face our Great Lakes communities,” said DOA Secretary Joel Brennan, “I’m grateful for our local and federal partners as we work to protect and promote outdoor recreation, equitable access, and resilience for the future.” 

Slated to begin October 2021, this new project will expand coordination efforts among agencies, organizations, and local governments and leverage opportunities to share lessons learned and promote resources, tools, and data within Wisconsin’s 11 Lake Michigan coastal counties. High water levels in Lake Michigan are exacerbating hazards for coastal communities, leading to millions of dollars of damage and necessitating the installation of emergency shore protection structures along the Lake Michigan shoreline.

The Wisconsin Coastal Management Program (WCMP) at the Department of Administration has likewise announced the publication of the 2021 Wisconsin Great Lakes Chronicle. The Chronicle’s  20th edition builds public awareness and educates the public and policy leaders on issues of importance to communities situated on the Great Lakes. The 2021 web edition, and previous editions of the Great Lakes Chronicle, will be available on the WCMP website.

The WCMP is supporting the following local events highlighting the importance of the Great Lakes in the community:

• Harbor Fest in Milwaukee, September 19, 2021 
• Valley Week in Milwaukee, September 25-October 2, 2021

DOA’s Wisconsin Coastal Management Program balances natural resource protection and sustainable economic development along Wisconsin's Great Lakes coasts. WCMP awards federal funds from the U.S. Department of Commerce and NOAA to local governments and other entities for innovative coastal initiatives.

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