Michael S. Regan 16th Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency | Official Website
On May 29, 2024, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore, alongside Region 2 Administrator Lisa Garcia and Region 3 Administrator Adam Ortiz, joined Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb and other partners to emphasize the significance of Great Lakes restoration in revitalizing communities along Lake Erie's shoreline.
“After decades of industrial and economic growth, Cleveland's waterways – like many in the Great Lakes Region – struggled to overcome the legacy pollution left behind,” said EPA Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore. “Thanks to an all-of-government approach and the unprecedented federal funding from the Biden Administration’s Investing in America agenda, Cleveland and many other Midwest communities are working to retire the ‘rust-belt’ label once and for all.”
Mayor Justin M. Bibb highlighted the impact of a clean waterfront on community development: “A clean and thriving waterfront is the key to unlocking our city’s full potential – it creates recreational opportunities for residents, provides tourists a reason to come visit (and spend money) during the warm months ahead, and instills a desire for businesses to develop. The hype is real so I’m encouraging everyone to come visit and see how great the North Coast truly is here in Cleveland! We’re thankful for the millions of dollars the Biden Administration and EPA have provided amongst Great Lakes cities, which will go a long way to ensuring environmental justice equity across our communities.”
EPA has collaborated with state and local partners over several decades to clean up the Cuyahoga River and restore Lake Erie. These efforts have led to thriving fish populations and vibrant neighborhoods replacing abandoned industrial properties.
Recently, EPA announced that organizations including the Ohio Lake Erie Commission will receive Great Lakes Environmental Justice Grants through funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The Ohio Lake Erie Commission, together with its partner Black Environmental Leaders Network, will utilize a $5.8 million grant for an Environmental Justice Grant Program aimed at underserved communities within Ohio’s Lake Erie watershed.
Ohio Lake Erie Commission Director Joy Mulinex stated: “Because Lake Erie is one of Ohio’s greatest resources, providing drinking water to over 2.8 million people in Ohio and generating over $17 billion in travel and tourism for the state, Governor DeWine and the General Assembly invested in the H2Ohio initiative to ensure clean and safe water for Ohio. The Commission appreciates support for initiatives like this that allow us to partner with organizations such as Black Environmental Leaders Network.”
Black Environmental Leaders Network Board President Jocelyn Travis expressed enthusiasm about their role: “We are grateful and excited to be a key partner alongside Ohio Lake Erie Commission... This initiative aligns perfectly with BEL’s commitment... It enables us...to protect and restore...the Great Lakes ecosystem.”
Cleveland marked just one stop on a multiday tour by EPA officials visiting various communities along Lake Erie's shoreline. In Ashtabula later that day, City Manager Jim Timonere showcased redevelopment efforts stemming from cleanup projects at Ashtabula River's historic harbor.
Since its inception in 2010, EPA’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has funded more than 7,500 projects totaling over $3.7 billion.
For further information on ongoing projects or funding opportunities related to Great Lakes environmental work, interested parties can sign up for updates via EPA's website.
