Congressman Visclosky announced today that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded a Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) grant in Hobart.
The $355,370 grant includes four to six green infrastructure projects within the Deep River – Turkey Creek Watershed, which drains into Lake Michigan. The intent of these projects is to reduce the discharge of polluted urban stormwater runoff. This grant initiative is a collaboration between the City of Hobart, the Alliance for the Great Lakes, and the Delta Institute.
Congressman Pete Visclosky stated, “I commend the City of Hobart, the Alliance for the Great Lakes, and the Delta Institute, for their resolve to successfully seek out and obtain this funding opportunity from the EPA. Lake Michigan is one of the greatest natural resources not just in Northwest Indiana, but in our entire country, and I am heartened that this grant will improve the quality of our water and the quality of our region for current and future generations of residents.”
City of Hobart Mayor Brian Snedecor stated, “I want to thank Congressman Visclosky for his support of our pursuit of the GLRI grant to protect our waterways. Hobart is a city that exists because of Deep River. Our founder, George Earle, created Lake George over 170 years ago by building a dam on Deep River. The people of Hobart recognize that this watershed is the beating heart of our community. We participated in this program because we understand the quality of life in Hobart is directly related to the quality of the water flowing in Deep River and Lake George. The funds from this grant will help us protect our water by creating areas that use native plants to create areas of natural beauty that clean waters that are impaired by urban runoff. We hope to leave a waterway that will enhance the life of Hobart for another 170 years.”
For additional information on the EPA’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative program, click here.
