Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative John D. Dingell (D-MI15) announced over $2.2 million in grants that were issued by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to the University of Michigan for research to advance Great Lakes restoration. Congress and President Obama’s Administration have both made clear that the restoration of the Great Lakes needs to be a national priority.
“These grant announcements are wonderful news for the University of Michigan and our Great Lakes,” said Dingell. “NOAA’s investments will have lasting effects. These conservation efforts will boost public awareness to the potential harms that need to be addressed in order to protect and restore these waters.”
Dingell continued, “Research to advance Great Lakes restoration is key. The Great Lakes represent 20 percent of our nation’s fresh water supply; it is imperative that we protect them for the bio-balance in North America. The Nation Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration understands this; it knows that the Great Lakes are a vital asset to our nation. I commend NOAA for partnering with the University of Michigan to support research projects committed to saving this American treasure.”
Donald Scavia, Director of the University of Michigan's Graham Environmental Sustainability Institute also commended NOAA for this investment. He said, “These NOAA grants to the University of Michigan focus on critical issues confronting the Great Lakes. We appreciate that NOAA recognizes the role U-M and other academic institutions have in ensuring efficient, effective and scientifically sound Great Lakes restoration.”
Below is a listing of the 7 grants which NOAA issued to U-M totaling $2,281,708:
Grant Amount: $480,459:
Grant Title: How will the Great Lakes water levels respond to climate change Year 2: Regional modeling for application to decision-making
Funding for this research project will help researchers develop and apply the models for the physical portion of the Great Lakes regional climate. It will enhance the range of scenarios of climate change influences for those available currently.
Grant Amount: $355,162
Grant Title: Identify Land Use Indicators and Tipping Points That Threaten Great Lakes Ecosystems
Funding for this research project will help scientists 1) assess the ability of bighead and silver carps to survive and grow (using ambient plankton and benthos prey densities) in Lakes Michigan, Huron, and Erie; and 2) determine the potential impacts of Asian carps on population dynamics and biomass of important native and state-managed fishes.
Grant Amount: $312,515
Grant Title: Assessing risk of Asian Carp invasion and impacts on Great Lakes food webs and fisheries
Funding for this research project will help scientists 1) assess the ability of bighead and silver carps to survive and grow (using ambient plankton and benthos prey densities) in Lakes Michigan, Huron, and Erie; and 2) determine the potential impacts of Asian carps on population dynamics and biomass of important native and state-managed fishes.
Grant Amount: $201,740
Grant Title: Hydrodynamic Model and Observations in Support of Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Decision Support Tools
Funding for this research project will help scientists work to adapt both the Finite Volume Coastal Ocean Model (FVCOM) and Princeton Ocean Model (POM) hydrodynamic models for implementation into the Great Lakes.
Grant Amount: $184,631
Grant Title: Larval Dispersal, habitat classification and food web modeling
Funding for this research project will help researchers use ecological models and GIS databases to support food web models in ecologically distinct regions of the Great Lakes to determine potential impacts of invasive species on food webs and fisheries, which will suggest alternatives for management.
Grant Amount: $223,801
Grant Title: The Cooperative Institute for Limnology and Ecosystems Research Administration Great Lakes Summer Student Fellowship Program
This funding will permit the Cooperative Institute for Limnology and Ecosystems Research and the NOAA/Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory to continue educating students and gaining public awareness through the Great Lakes Summer Student Fellowship Program.
Grant Amount: $523,400
Grant Title: Develop forecasting predictive models improving coastal and human health and beach forecasting.
Funding for this research project will allow scientists to develop and apply the models for the physical portion of the Great Lakes regional climate. It will enhance the range of scenarios of climate change influences for those available currently.
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