Governor Quinn Signs Executive Order to Create Illinois Coastal Management Program

CHICAGO – December 10, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today signed an Executive Order to establish the Illinois Coastal Management Program (ICMP) within the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). Through the federally-funded program, Illinois will receive $2 million annually from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to improve the northeast Illinois economy and create jobs by protecting the state’s coastal resources along Lake Michigan.

“Lake Michigan is one of our most valuable natural resources and an important part of our economy,” Governor Quinn said. “This executive order and federal funding will help us invest in programs to restore and protect the lake, boost green waterfront infrastructure and continue the region’s long-term economic growth.”

The program will be fully funded with federal dollars, which will be used to restore threatened habitats and to “green” harbors on Lake Michigan. It will also help municipalities develop plans to restore and sustain shorelines.

Some of the ICMP’s goals include: supporting local, state and federal partnerships as agencies work to manage coastal resources; developing strategies to mitigate and adapt to climate change; developing long-term solutions to address toxins and invasive species; working to expand the use of green infrastructure to control storm water, promoting groundwater recharge and reduce flooding; and helping communities identify opportunities for water-related economic development.

Governor Quinn also announced Illinois will receive a $2.5 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to continue cleanup of Waukegan Harbor, and to implement habitat restoration programs along the Lake Michigan shoreline in northeast Illinois.

“This federal funding will allow IDNR to continue its work to protect and restore Lake Michigan for this and future generations,” said IDNR Director Marc Miller.

For more information on efforts to preserve the state’s coastal resources along Lake Michigan, please visit www.dnr.illinois.gov/cmp/Pages/default.aspx or www.greatlakes.org/Page.aspx?pid=589.