Erie County has been awarded over $248,000 for coastal projects from Pennsylvania's Coastal Resources Management Program (CRM). 

Coastal zone grants are awarded to projects related to fisheries, wetlands, stormwater management improvements, recreation, public education, coastal hazards such as bluff recession, and other areas. 

“Our coastal zones are vital environmental, economic and community resources for the commonwealth,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “Each year, the diverse Coastal zone projects help us rethink, reexamine and rededicate our efforts toward a comprehensive approach to ensuring the sustainability of these habitats.”

A list of projects awarded funds in Erie County include: 

  • Erie Bird Observatory – $50,000 to conduct research on bird migration in the Lake Erie Coastal Zone and to promote awareness of birding as an economic driver in the Erie area
  • Erie County Conservation District – $11,500 to purchase and provide Mobi-Mats to allow for beach access for persons with disabilities at Freeport Beach (Halli Reid Park) and 20 Mile Beach
  • Gannon University – $12,217 for the Summer School of Excellence to educate approximately 30 high school students from Erie, Crawford and Warren counties on coastal zone environmental issues
  • Lawrence Park Township – $45,000 to rehabilitate and restore the Lakeside boat launch to its original, functional condition
  • Regional Science Consortium – $50,000 to research the occurrence of saxitoxin from harmful algal blooms along the coastline of Lake Erie