ANN ARBOR—Michigan Sea Grant today awarded a total of $409,417 to researchers from three Michigan universities. The research will focus on Michigan’s coastal and Great Lakes issues involving wind power and restoring natural river flow in the Clinton River watershed.

The funding will sustain three-year research projects and is contingent upon annual appropriations from Congress. The grant funds are leveraged by an additional $254,457 from non-federal sources, including state and university partners.

Michigan Sea Grant helps to foster economic growth and protect Michigan’s coastal/Great Lakes resources through education, research and outreach. A collaborative effort of the University of Michigan and Michigan State University, Michigan Sea Grant is part of the NOAA-National Sea Grant network of more than 30 university-based programs.

“We are excited to support these projects that will assist state agencies, communities and others in making challenging decisions. These efforts will have a positive economic impact on Michigan’s coastal areas,” said Jim Diana, director of Michigan Sea Grant.

The following new projects have been funded:

? Helping Coastal Communities Evaluate Wind Energy Options: Soji Adelaja, Michigan State University?$140,000. Researchers will work with coastal communities to assess the consequences of wind energy development and evaluate policy options, in advance of development proposals. Focus areas include Baraga, Marquette, Houghton and Keweenaw areas in the Upper Peninsula, as well as Presque Isle and Bay County in the Lower Peninsula.

? Restoring Natural Flows in the Clinton River: Donald Carpenter, Lawrence Tech University?$138,904. Researchers, community leaders and others will evaluate potential river regulation policies on water quality, fish and wildlife habitat and other aspects of the Clinton River. The overall goal is to promote a more comprehensive approach to the management of the Clinton River watershed.

? Evaluating Potential Wind Energy Conflicts in Coastal West Michigan: Erick Nordman, Grand Valley State University?$130,513. Project investigators will explore potential conflicts that could arise if wind power facilities were developed in coastal, tourism-dependent areas of Muskegon, Ottawa and Allegan counties.

To learn more about the projects, visit: http://www.miseagrant.umich.edu/research/current_projects.html

With the help of Sea Grant’s extension educators and specialists from both the University of Michigan and Michigan State University, researchers will incorporate feedback from decision-makers, including residents, local leaders, other research teams, county and state officials and economic development groups. All research projects are aligned with priority issues identified by Michigan Sea Grant and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Sea Grant Program.

Michigan Sea Grant