The agreement provides funding to the michigan department of environment, great lakes, and energy (EGLE)

This $2,185,000 federal Project Grant award from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Geographic Programs - Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (CFDA 66.469) provides funding to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (MDEGLE) to partner with local conservation districts in the Western Lake Erie Basin. The project aims to enroll approximately 1,000 farmers to implement best management practices for reducing nutrient and sediment loading in cropland runoff, with the goal of covering 10,000 acres under conservation plans. Key activities include developing contracts, conservation plans, and providing incentive payments to farmers, as well as hosting field day events. The anticipated outcomes include reduced phosphorus application and loading, as well as decreased stormwater and sediment runoff, leading to reduced harmful algal blooms in the Western Lake Erie Basin. The project will involve sub-awards to the Washtenaw County Conservation District, which will support farmer enrollment, contract development, conservation planning, and incentive payments.

Specifically, the recipient will partner with the hillsdale, lenawee, monroe, and washtenaw conservation districts to provide incentive payments to farmers in the western lake erie basin to implement best management practices for reducing nutrient and sediment loading in cropland runoff. Activities:the activities include developing quality documentation, enrolling farmers in the project, developing contracts, developing conservation plans, providing incentive payments to farmers, and field day events. Subrecipient:subrecipient activities include enrolling farmers in the project, developing contracts, developing conservation plans, providing incentive payments to farmers, and field day events. Outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include quality documentation, progress reports, a final report, approximately 1,000 farmers contacted, approximately 100 contracts signed, and approximately 10,000 acres covered under conservation plans. The expected outcomes include reduction of phosphorous fertilizer application, reduction of phosphorous loading, and reduced stormwater and sediment runoff leading to harmful algal blooms. The intended beneficiaries include those who live, work, and recreate in the western lake erie basin.