Great Lakes Restoration Project - Ohio Department of Natural ...

Pennsylvania’s Gateway to the Great LakesRestoration in coastal Erie CountyOur country’s birthplace of independence, pristine hardwood forests,bountiful fishing streams, superb agricultural lands, railroads andfootball, rolling ridges and diverse natural beauty; these are the imageswe associate with Pennsylvania, America’s “Keystone State.”However, we Keystoners are blessed with another pearl in this naturalresourcenecklace, the 60-mile coastline in Erie County, our “Gatewayto the Great Lakes.” Formedmany millennia ago, this regionmeets the southeastern edge ofLake Erie to form a unique areanoted for its rich culturalheritage and traditions, fishingindustry, maritime trade andcommerce, vineyards, outdoorrecreation and manufacturing.Ironically, the same activities that made this region great have alsostretched its natural resources and put pressure on its ecosystems.Pennsylvania has had an active Coastal Zone Management programsince 1980. As with other Great Lakes states, the program focuses onmonitoring vital coastal ecosystems by providing technical assistanceand grants to governmental and non-profit organizations that carryout program goals.Restoration Funding Meets Critical Needs. In2001, additional funding for Great Lakes states was appropriated byCongress to supplement its annual allocation to support the CoastalZone Management program. Pennsylvania was fortunate to receive$1.85 million that leveraged additional local funds in support ofhigh-priority projects throughout coastal Erie County.Restoration funds were used toacquire additional open space toensure public access to the coast.Thefunding preserved vital wetlands andriparian buffer areas. It linkedgreenways with Presque Isle StatePark, one of the country’s mostheavily used outdoor recreation sites.Other funds were used to construct a fish raceway to support a veryactive local sport fishing industry.The program stabilized the banks of avital watershed tributary. Restoration grants reclaimed and restored adredge-spoil confinement facility to provide more recreationopportunities for public access to the lake.More Work to be Done. These and other on-goinginitiatives along Pennsylvania’s Lake Erie coastline are restoring thewater quality of the lake and its tributaries as well as bringingeconomic and cultural vitality back to the region. As responsiblestewards for our abundant natural resources and as inhabitants of thisbeautiful Great Lakes region, we stand ready to work with ourcoalition partners to ensure a lasting legacy for those that follow.[14] GREAT LAKES RESTORATION PROJECT