EPA Releases More Great Lakes Beach Grants

Eight Wisconsin beaches along the Great Lakes will be re-designed to reduce pollution, or separate it from beach goers. The money for the projects is coming from a fund that faces an uncertain future beyond next year.

One million dollars is going to UW Oshkosh for its ongoing work to redesign beaches in Washburn, Marinette, Algoma, Manitowoc, South Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha.

U.S. EPA Regional Administrator Susan Hedman told a lakefront news conference in Racine that pollution problems have been identified at those beaches, and it is time to begin designing and engineering a solution. UW Oshkosh researcher Nilay Sheth says beach redesign may be as simple as keeping away geese that defecate on sand.

Money for the beach redesigns is coming from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, which the Obama administration has supported. Racine Mayor John Dickert says if Mitt Romney is elected in November, Dickert will advocate the funds keep coming.