TORONTO, Ont. – The province has announced a $1.5-million community action fund intended to help communities protect their part of the Great Lakes.

Community groups can apply for up to $25-thousand for things like cleaning up a beach or shoreline, restoring a wetland or creating a trail.

The money will be available to not-for-profit groups.

Environment Minister Jim Bradley said there is already plenty of interest.

“We think they will have in their minds already projects which will be useful. I think each one of us in our own communities knows of people who are interested in their local waterways.”

Bradley said a team from his ministry will evaluate the applications.

PC critic Michael Harris likes the concept but is nervous about the accountability factor.

“Time and time we’ve seen funds be used and no real accountability for the dollars that were spent, in terms of bringing that value to tax payers,” said Harris, “There’s a concern with the reporting mechanism, who’s going to evaluate the proposals,  who’s going to evaluate the work that’s been done at the end of the day.”

Bradley said he expects to see some projects started as early as this summer.

Applications will be accepted until October 12.