Great Lakes Restoration
While the concept of restoration is not new, the current Great Lakes basin-wide restoration initiative is a new, comprehensive approach to some old problems, such as aquatic invasive species, and contaminants. A long-term restoration plan for the Great Lakes would involve Federal, State and Tribal government, researchers, outdoor recreation or conservation groups, corporations and industry experts, landowners, and citizens' groups.
Many experts believe that a good restoration plan would be highly-focused with clear, scientific objectives. It would also incorporate a long-term monitoring effort to provide measurable outcomes. Great Lakes scientists have contributed to a number of successful restoration efforts in the past, including reduced nutrient levels, control of sea lamprey and alewife, and reduced fish contaminants (e.g., DDT). Scientists, educators and outreach specialists within the Great Lakes basin have collaborated on a number of aquatic invasive species projects that have led to an increased understanding of the complexity of environmental impacts, policy changes, greater public awareness and other beneficial outcomes.
What Does Restoration Mean?
While it may be impossible to restore the entire Great Lakes basin to a "pre-settlement state," it is possible to focus restoration efforts on key issues. Thus, Michigan Sea Grant, the Great Lakes Sea Grant Network, the Great Lakes Govenors and the Great Lakes Commission are working with researchers and stakeholders to help define what a comprehensive Great Lakes restoration effort might focus on.
Great Lakes Restoration: Priorities for the Great Lakes
Michigan Hosts First in Series of Focus Groups
In an effort to develop restoration planning priorities, the National Sea Grant College Program is supporting the Great Lakes Sea Grant Network, state govenors offices and the Great Lakes Commission who are leading an effort to develop the scientific basis for a comprehensive restoration plan for the region. At the heart of this initiative are focus group sessions held in each Great Lakes state.
Outcomes from the Michigan focus group session as well as those in the other Great Lakes states will be shared with the Great Lakes Governors and others to inform and advance efforts for a large scale ecosystem restoration effort. A restoration initiative would have significant environmental, economic and social benefits – a sound investment in the greatest system of freshwater on the face of the earth.
Great Lakes Governors Restoration Priorities
The Council of Great Lakes Governors has reached consensus that a number of priorities that should guide Great Lakes restoration and protection efforts, including the following:
- Ensure the sustainable use of our water resources while confirming that the States retain authority over water use and diversions of Great Lakes waters;
- Promote programs to protect human health against adverse effects of pollution in the Great Lakes ecosystem;
- Control pollution from diffuse sources into water, land and air;
- Continue to reduce the introduction of persistent bioaccumulative toxics into the Great Lakes ecosystem;
- Stop the introduction and spread of non-native aquatic invasive species;
- Enhance fish and wildlife by restoring and protecting coastal wetlands, fish and wildlife habitats;
- Restore to environmental health the Areas of Concern identified by the International Joint Commission as needing remediation;
- Standardize and enhance the methods by which information is collected, recorded and shared within the region and;
- Adopt sustainable use practices that protect environmental resources and may enhance the recreational and commercial value of our Great Lakes.
Note: smaller restoration efforts have been defined as a return to an unimpaired condition, (i.e., see the U.S. EPA Principles for the Ecological Restoration of Aquatic Resources).
North America's Great Lakes Are Impaired
The five Great Lakes contain 20 percent of the earth’s fresh surface water. The region’s natural resources drive the economies of the two nations, eight states and two provinces that share jurisdiction over it. Yet many areas remain severely degraded and are designated as Areas of Concern.
Areas of Concern
Great Lakes Areas of Concern (AOCs) are defined by the U.S.-Canada Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement as "geographic areas that fail to meet the general or specific objectives of the agreement where such failure has caused or is likely to cause impairment of beneficial use of the area's ability to support aquatic life." The U.S. and Canadian governments have identified 43 AOCs in the Great Lakes.
Areas of Concern in Michigan include the Detroit River, Clinton River, Deer Lake, Kalamazoo River, Manistique River, Muskegon Lake, River Raisin, Rouge River, Saginaw River and Bay, St. Clair River, St. Mary's River, Torch Lake and White Lake.
In an effort to clean up the most polluted areas in the Great Lakes, the United States and Canada are cooperating with State and Provincial Governments and local stakeholders to develop Remedial Action Plans. See AOC map more about AOCs at the U.S. EPA Great Lakes National Program Office site.
Great Lakes Legacy Act
The Great Lakes Legacy Act focuses on contaminated sediments, a significant problem in the Great Lakes basin. According to the U.S. EPA, persistent high concentrations of toxic substances in the bottom sediments of rivers and harbors "have raised considerable concern about potential risk to aquatic organisms, wildlife, and humans." Advisories about fish consumption are in place in most locations around the Great Lakes. For more information, see the Michigan's fish consumption advisories.
To address the problem of contaminated sediment in the Great Lakes, the Great Lakes Legacy Act of 2002 (the Legacy Act) was passed by Congress and signed into law by the President on November 27, 2002. The Act authorizes $270 million in funding over five years beginning in fiscal year 2004, and includes specific funding designated for public outreach and research components. See: Great Lakes Legacy Act.
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