Great Lakes Sediment and Nutrient Reduction Program (GLSNRP) Grant

Grants to New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin nonprofits and local and state government agencies and commissions for projects to reduce water pollution in eligible locations. Applicants must demonstrate how the project will reduce total phosphorus contributions to the Great Lakes basin and otherwise reduce the effects of sediment and nutrients to improve local water quality.

Funding for GLSNRP supports work under GLRI Focus Area 3 aimed at controlling nonpoint source pollution and reducing nutrient runoff that contributes to harmful/nuisance algal blooms. The GLRI uses outcome-oriented performance goals and measures to target the most significant problems and track progress in addressing them. Under the GLRI, U.S. EPA and its federal partners coordinate state, tribal, local, and industry actions to protect, maintain, and restore the chemical, biological, and physical integrity of the Great Lakes. The GLSNRP supports two Focus Area 3 objectives articulated in GLRI Action Plan III, dated October 2019:

• Reduce nutrient loads from agricultural watersheds.
• Reduce untreated stormwater runoff.

In accordance with agreements between the Great Lakes Commission (GLC) and NRCS, the primary focus of grants issued under the GLSNRP is reducing nutrients and sediment into the Great Lakes and their tributaries. In 2021, the GLC has committed to reducing 17,380 pounds of total phosphorus over three years, therefore phosphorus control projects remain a priority for funding this year. Ideal GLSNRP projects demonstrate significant total phosphorus savings, while controlling soil erosion and reducing sedimentation within the waterways of the Great Lakes Basin. In addition to phosphorus reductions, project proposals supporting significant progress toward other Focus Area 3 Measures of Progress relevant to the GLSNRP will be considered for funding:

• Estimated pounds of phosphorus reductions from conservation practice implementation throughout Great Lake Watersheds.
• Acres receiving technical or financial assistance on nutrient management in priority watersheds.
• Estimated gallons (in millions) of untreated stormwater runoff captured or treated.
• Miles of Great Lakes shoreline and riparian corridors restored or protected.

Under this year’s program, GLSNRP will fund projects focused on reducing nutrients from three different sources: agricultural non-point, stormwater, and stabilization of Great Lakes shoreline or streambanks. Applicants will be asked to identify the primary Project Type within the application. For details about each of these sources, see: https://www.glc.org/wp-content/uploads/GLSNRP-RFP-2021-Final.pdf#page=3

Applications for all Project Types should:

• Support relevant state-approved nonpoint source reduction plans (e.g., watershed plan), a nine key elements plan, or other government-endorsed plan. Applicants will be given additional consideration for funding if sufficient context is provided on how proposed activities will help to achieve the objectives of the relevant plan and benefit the Great Lakes basin.
• Reflect significant water quality benefits.