Michigan, Wisconsin get $2.6 million in grants for water quality

DETROIT (AP) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says more than $2.6 million in grants are being awarded to help improve water quality at Great Lakes beaches in Michigan and Wisconsin.

The agency on Tuesday announced details of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding. The aim is to eliminate harmful bacteria and other sources of beach contamination.

The funding includes $1 million for University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh to redesign eight Wisconsin beaches to reduce bacteria levels; $500,000 for Marysville, Mich., for Chrysler Beach on the St. Clair River; and $500,000 to the agency that runs Lake St. Clair Metropark near Mount Clemens, Mich.

Other grants in Michigan include about $263,000 for New Buffalo City Beach, $217,000 for Sault Ste. Marie beaches and $180,000 for Marquette beaches.