The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has invited the 22 largest U.S. Great Lakes shoreline cities to apply for Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding for green infrastructure projects that will improve Great Lakes water quality.

?These Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grants will be used for green infrastructure projects to reduce urban runoff and sewer overflows that foul beaches and impair Great Lakes water quality,? said Great Lakes National Program Manager Susan Hedman.

Up to $8.5 million is available to U.S. Great Lakes shoreline cities in the following amounts:

Population greater than 500,000 ? up to $1,000,000
Population from 100,000 to 499,999 ? up to $500,000
Population from 50,000 to 99,999 ? up to $250,000

Eligible cities can use the grants to cover up to 50 percent of the cost of rain gardens, bio-swales, green roofs, porous pavement, greenways, constructed wetlands, storm water tree trenches and other green infrastructure measures installed on public property. Detailed eligibility requirements are available at www.epa.gov/grtlakes/fund/shoreline.

Cities are encouraged to work with non-governmental organizations and private sector partners on these projects. More information about the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is available at www.glri.us.?