NOAA AWARDS OVER $1.2 MILLION TO MINNESOTA FOR COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is awarding a grant of more than $1.2 million to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for their Coastal Zone Management Program. NOAA is an agency of the Commerce Department.

This grant will support Minnesota’s Lake Superior Coastal Program that preserves, protects, develops and, where possible, restores or enhances coastal resources along Minnesota's North Shore of Lake Superior. This program addresses coastal enhancement and coastal nonpoint source pollution. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources administers the Lake Superior Coastal Program.

“Lake Superior is the largest of Minnesota’s more than 10,000 lakes, and it is important that we do everything within our power to protect and preserve this great lake for future generations,” Senator Norm Coleman said. “Working together we can improve the water quality and the quality of outdoor experience for all those relying on this magnificent resource.”

“We are constantly working to improve the understanding of our environment and to strengthen local and regional initiatives like Minnesota’s coastal program,” said retired Navy Vice Adm. Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Ph.D., undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. “These grants allow states to manage their coastal resources while actively supporting efforts that reinforce NOAA and the Bush Administration’s commitment to the environment.”

NOAA’s Coastal Management Program is a federal-state partnership dedicated to comprehensive management of the nation’s coastal resources, ensuring their protection for future generations while balancing competing national economic, cultural and environmental interests. The Coastal Zone Management Program (CZMP) is authorized by the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 and administered at the federal level by the Coastal Programs Division (CPD) within NOAA.

So far this year, NOAA has awarded more than 475 grants totaling $204.2 million to members of the academic, scientific and business communities to assist the agency in fulfilling its mission to study the Earth’s natural systems in order to predict environmental change, manage ocean resources, protect life and property, and provide decision makers with reliable scientific information. NOAA goals and programs reflect a commitment to these basic responsibilities of science and service to the nation for 33 years.

The Commerce Department’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of our nation’s coastal and marine resources. To learn more about NOAA, please visit http://www.noaa.gov.