Skip to agency navigation
Skip to main content

Official Website

of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

    The .gov means it's official.

    Local, state, and federal government websites often end in .gov. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government websites and email systems use "pennsylvania.gov" or "pa.gov" at the end of the address. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure you're on an official state website. 
    DEP Newsroom

    Shapiro Administration Awards Funding to Protect Lake Erie Coastal Zone

    This year’s projects emphasize environmental education, community outreach, and continued research to benefit this critical habitat and ecosystem

    January 24, 2024

    Meadville, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) awarded Coastal Zone Grants totaling more than $268,000 to five projects in the state’s Northwest region. The grants, which are aimed at protecting and restoring the Lake Erie Coastal Zone, will be used toward projects that will benefit this critical habitat and ecosystem.

    “The Coastal Zone Grants are aimed at supporting programs that measure the impact of various pollution sources, improve public access, preserve habitats, and educate the public about the benefits of the state’s coastal zones," said DEP Interim Acting Secretary, Jessica Shirley. "Each year, recipients of these grants do amazing work and the DEP is committed to continue supporting these partners with grant funding and technical assistance."

    A coastal zone is an area where land meets the coast and includes both coastal waters and adjacent shorelands. Coastal zones are also under increasing pressure from development, erosion, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Coastal Zone Grants are awarded to projects related to fisheries, wetlands, recreation, public education, coastal hazards such as bluff recession, and other areas. Grants may also be awarded to other projects in the watershed that have an impact on coastal waters.

    The 77-mile Lake Erie coastal zone is in Erie County and includes the Lake Erie shoreline and several major tributaries. The coastal zone also extends to the middle of the lake, to the international boundary with Canada, and inland an average of 1.4 miles.

    Approved projects include:

    • Erie Bird Observatory – $45,277 for songbird migration research and visitor engagement at Presque Isle State Park
    • Erie County Department of Planning and Community Development – $75,000 for coordination and technical assistance with Lake Erie coastal zone grantees, municipalities, and residents
    • Erie County Department of Planning and Community Development – $7,000 to assist Lake Erie coastal communities in administering the Bluff Recession and Setback Act of 1980
    • Regional Science Consortium – $65,831 to establish a boat shrink-wrap recycling program along Lake Erie
    • Regional Science Consortium – $74,940 to track Yellow Perch migration between Presque Isle Bay and Lake Erie

    Pennsylvania’s Coastal Resources Management Program (CRMP) receives an annual grant award from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). A portion of this award is used to fund eligible projects that address CRMP priorities. The funds are distributed through sub-grant awards to local and state government agencies as well as nonprofit groups with projects located in the Delaware Estuary or Lake Erie Coastal Zones. Applications are accepted late August through mid-October with project funding awarded on or around October 1 of the following year. To learn more about Coastal Zone grants, visit DEP’s website.

    For more information on the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, please visit website, or follow DEP on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.

    ###

    DEP Media Contacts

    DEP Newsroom

    (717) 787-1323
    Department of Environmental Protection Media