TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — Federal officials are inviting the 22 largest shoreline cities on the U.S. side of the Great Lakes to apply for grants under an Obama administration program designed to make progress on the region’s festering ecological problems.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said Friday the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grants will be awarded for “green infrastructure” projects that improve water quality by reducing urban runoff and sewer overflows.

Great Lakes National Program Manager Susan Hedman said up to $8.5 million will be available. Grants will range from $250,000 to $1 million, depending on a particular city’s population.

Cities can use the money to cover up to 50 percent of the cost of rain gardens, bio-swales, green roofs, porous pavement, greenways, constructed wetlands and other green infrastructure installed on public property.