NOAA AWARDS MORE THAN $1 MILLION TO OHIO SEA GRANT
Grant Supports Stewardship of Lake Erie

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced a $1,059,200 grant to the Ohio State University Research Program to fund programs and research by Ohio Sea Grant.

This grant through NOAA’s Sea Grant College Program will focus on research, education, and outreach efforts to enhance use and improve management of this nation's ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources. Specific programs will emphasize aquaculture, biotechnology, ecosystems research, marine biomedicinals and extracts, marine economics, mineral resources, marine recreation, pollution, transportation systems and zebra mussels.

“The Lake Erie community, including Ohio, relies heavily on its marine resources as a major part of its economy,” said retired Navy Vice Adm. Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. “This NOAA grant will ensure that decision makers will have the necessary information to best manage marine issues in Ohio through integrated research and education activities.”

The Ohio State University Sea Grant Program is one of 30 National Sea Grant College Programs. Created by Congress in 1966, Sea Grant combines university, government, business and industry expertise to address marine, coastal and Great Lakes issues. By serving as a gateway to relevant and reliable scientific information, Sea Grant helps assure that individuals can make informed choices about their use and stewardship of marine and coastal resources.

Each year, NOAA awards approximately $900 million in grants to members of the academic, scientific, education, 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 the past 35 years.

NOAA, an agency of the U.S. Commerce Department, 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.

NOAA on the Web: http://www.noaa.gov