The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $2.2m grants to organizations, agencies, and universities working in the Detroit, under the Great Lakes restoration initiative (GLRI).

The grants will be used to fund the projects to advance the goals and objectives of the GLRI action plan, developed with 15 other participating agencies and several Great Lakes governors in February 2010.

The projects include eleminating E.coli sources impacting beach closures at Macomb County and Detroit River-Western Lake Erie cooperative weed management area and phragmites Control.

The projects also include reduction of toxics within the Rouge and Detroit River areas in Wayne County and reducing the impact of stormwater on Metro Beach at Huron Clinton Metropark Authority.

The GLRI action plan, will include cleaning up toxics and toxic hot spot areas of concern, combating invasive species, promoting near-shore health by protecting watersheds from polluted run-off, restoring wetlands and other habitats, and tracking progress, education and working with strategic partners.