Bay Village seeks NOAA grant for nature-based shoreline restoration

Bay Village council unanimously approved a resolution on April 7 to file an application with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for a transformational habitat restoration and coastal resilience grant.

The project, centered on the citys lakefront, was described by project manager John Roskash and recreation officials as redesigned from traditional hard-armor revetment to a nature-based shoreline stabilization approach. Staff told council the revised design adds stronger educational and outreach components and partners with the Cleveland Metroparks, Lake Erie Nature & Science Center and the Bay Village School District.

"The way the project is designed now, we're aligning with every priority that NOAA has for this funding opportunity," Roskash said during the committee discussion. He added that the project would now emphasize habitat restoration and public education as part of its value proposition. NOAA does not attach a firm match requirement, officials said, but applications that show substantial nonfederal match typically score better; city staff said they are close to a near 1:1 federal-to-nonfederal match through prior budget planning.

Councilwoman Sarah Burns Meyer and city staff said this is the third time the city has submitted under this NOAA program; staff used feedback from past applications to improve the educational elements and technical design. There was no guaranteed timetable from NOAA for awarding grants, and staff said they would inform council if NOAA offered a partial award rather than a full grant.

Council approved resolution 25-44 to authorize filing the application and declared it an emergency so the application could proceed with council backing. The resolution passed unanimously.