GLIN==> GLC projects to advance environmental and economic prosperity

[Kirk Haverkamp <kirkh@glc.org>]

Great Lakes Commission directs $5.75 million to regional priorities

Projects to advance environmental and economic prosperity

Ann Arbor, Mich. – Efforts to “Restore the Greatness” to the Great
Lakes are being aided by $5.75 million in FY 2003 funds for Great Lakes Commission
projects and programs addressing the region’s resource management needs.
The Commission, a binational agency with state and provincial membership,
promotes sound public policy on regional environmental and economic issues
through communication, policy research and development, and advocacy.

“These multiple grant awards are directed at both new-start and ongoing projects
that support our Great Lakes Program to Ensure Environmental and Economic
Prosperity,” said Commission Chairman Nathaniel E Robinson. “This is a 41-point
package of legislative, program and appropriations priorities unanimously
endorsed by our eight members states earlier this year. Augmenting these
grants are member dues to be directed toward our regional coordination and
advocacy efforts.”

The Great Lakes Program presents seven goals to “Restore the Greatness” to
the world's largest system of fresh surface water. It provides a blueprint
for both congressional and regional action. These goals are as follows, accompanied
by an overview of relevant projects receiving funds to addess them:

Cleaning up toxic hot spots: The Commission is developing, in partnership
with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, a restoration plan for Lake St. Clair
that identifies and addresses pollution problems in this intensively used,
binational watershed. Cleanup efforts at Areas of Concern are being addressed
as well, thanks to the Commission’s work with Michigan’s Statewide Public
Advisory Council. The Commission is also exploring possibilities for linking
brownfields cleanup and redevelopment with greenfields protection, thanks
to support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency headquarters.

Shutting the door on invasive species: Working with the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
the Commission is strengthening partnerships among the many public agencies
and private organizations with an interest in aquatic nuisance species control.
A pilot project for the early detection and monitoring of nuisance invasive
species in Lake Michigan is also under way.

Controlling nonpoint source pollution: Through the Great Lakes Basin
Program for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control, the Commission supports local
efforts to control soil erosion and sedimentation, and reduce sources of
sediment and associated pollutants to the Great Lakes and their tributaries.
Other projects seek to reduce pollution from urban and agricultural runoff,
and air
deposition, and feature data/information, technical assistance and demonstration
components.

Restoring and conserving wetlands and critical coastal habitat: A
long-term monitoring program for Great Lakes coastal wetlands is being developed
by the Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands Consortium, a group of resource managers
and scientists convened by the Commission. The Commission has also begun
a two-year effort to assess and restore the crucial wetlands and coastal
areas of Lake St. Clair, which features the largest coastal delta in the
Great Lakes region. 

Strengthening our decision support capability: A regional water conservation
toolkit, outlining water conservation measures that can be adopted by public
water suppliers, water resource managers and other Great Lakes water users,
is being developed by the Commission. The project supports the efforts of
the Great Lakes governors and premiers in their efforts to develop a new
water withdrawal decisionmaking standard for the region, as called for in
the Great Lakes Charter Annex of 2001. 

Ensuring the sustainable use of our water resources: The Commission
has entered into a partnership with the U.S. National Park Service to develop
a water resources management plan for Isle Royale National Park – the first
of a potential series of plans for national parks in the Great Lakes region.

Enhancing the commercial and recreational value of our waterways:
The Commission is documenting the importance of recreational boating to the
regional economy and identifying associated dredging and infrastructure needs.
The Commission has also initiated a comparative study of the fuel efficiency,
safety, and environmental aspects of transportation alternatives such as
maritime transportation, truck and rail.

Support for these Commission initiatives is provided by numerous U.S. federal
agencies including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, U.S. National Park Service and U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.
Augmenting this support are funds from various foundations, state agencies
and private sector sources.

Details on all newly funded projects, as well as the Commission’s overall
policy research and development program, are available from Dr. Michael J.
Donahue, president/CEO at mdonahue@glc.org or call 734-665-9135.

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The Great Lakes Commission, chaired by Nathaniel E. Robinson (Wisconsin), 
is a nonpartisan, binational compact agency created by state and U.S. federal 
law and dedicated to promoting a strong economy, healthy environment and high
quality of life for the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region and its residents.  
The Commission consists of state legislators, agency officials and governors’ 
appointees from its eight member states.  Associate membership for Ontario 
and Québec was established through the signing of a “Declaration of Partnership.”  
The Commission maintains a formal Observer program involving U.S. and Canadian 
federal agencies, tribal authorities, binational agencies and other regional 
interests.  The Commission offices are located in Ann Arbor, Michigan.