LANSING, MI (AP)-- Federal officials have awarded more than $2.5 million for projects to battle invasive species in Michigan.
The funding comes under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, an Obama administration program that targets the biggest environmental challenges confronting the region's waters. The Environmental Protection Agency coordinates the program.
The Nature Conservancy is receiving $622,594 to remove invasive plants in southeastern Michigan's Oak Openings Region and Ohio's western Lake Erie watershed. Wayne County is getting $634,756 for pest management along the Rouge and Detroit rivers.
The Upper Peninsula Resource Conservation and Development Council is getting $964,922 to battle invasive plants along 800 acres of shorelines and wetlands. Other recipients include the Alger Conservation District and the West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission.