WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Dave Joyce (OH-14) announced that Chagrin River Watershed Partners, which is headquartered in Willoughby, Ohio, has been awarded a $194,278 Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) grant by the Great Lakes Commission. The Chagrin River Watershed Partners’ project will result in 2,000 feet of bio-engineered streambank stabilization for tributaries to the Chagrin River.

“I’m pleased to report that since 2010, GLRI funds have helped remove more than 4 million cubic yards of contaminated sediment and restore more than 195,000 acres of habitat throughout the Great Lakes region,” said Dave. “I applaud the Great Lakes Commission for recognizing the continued need for these efforts in Northeast Ohio and look forward to seeing the success of the Chagrin River Watershed Partners’ streambank stabilization project.”  

“I’d like to congratulate the Chagrin River Watershed Partners for being awarded this grant in support of their work protecting the health and sustainability of our Great Lakes,” said Executive Director of the Great Lakes Commission Darren Nichols. “This project demonstrates the power of the GLRI to generate critical economic and environmental improvements for communities throughout the region. Thank you to Congressman Joyce for his continued support of this important initiative.” 

Every year, tons of polluting phosphorus and sediments enter the Great Lakes Basin, causing massive economic and environmental losses and damages and contributing to the formation of Harmful Algal Blooms and dead zones. The Great Lakes Commission manages the Great Lakes Sediment and Nutrient Reduction Program, which is funded by the GLRI, strategically addresses the threats posed by phosphorus runoff and sedimentation with a unique, targeted grassroots approach that awards grants to nonfederal agencies and nonprofit organizations in priority watersheds. This year alone, 13 projects totaling over $2.2 million were funded by this important program throughout the Great Lakes region.

As the Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, Dave is a fierce advocate of the GLRI and other programs that aim to protect and preserve the Lakes and has successfully fought to ensure the GLRI receives appropriate funding every year since coming to Congress in 2013.

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