Wisconsin Among 10 States to Receive Federal Funds for Coastal Wetland Conservation

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has awarded $795,000 to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources as part of a $14.5 million grant program to conserve, restore and protect coastal wetlands. The grant to Wisconsin will be used to permanently protect 240 acres of coastal wetlands on Washington in Door County, Wisconsin, along the shore of Lake Michigan.

Grants for 2002 under the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program were awarded for 20 projects in 10 states. Along with Wisconsin, states to receive grants include Alabama, Alaska, California, Maine, Massachusetts, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Washington. The grants will be supplemented by more than $57 million from state and private partners.

"One of my goals is to work with states, communities and private landowners to conserve our nations natural resources," said Interior Secretary Gale Norton. "The National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant program fits in perfectly with the touchstone of the Administrations environmental policy, what I call the four Cs