Restoring the Great Lakes
The Great Lakes received $475 million for restoration efforts in 2010, as part of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, or GLRI. Michigan Sea Grant was awarded more than $1.5 million, is leading two projects, and assisting on five others. The projects focus on endangered fish, invasive species, beach contamination, sound boating and marina operations, and water pollution.
Projects led by Michigan Sea Grant:
- Green Marina Education and Outreach
Total Funding: $478,262 over a 3-year period
Clean Marina programs in Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin will focus on reducing pollution from boating and marina activities. The grant will support the enhancement of the web-based Clean Marina Classroom developed by Michigan Sea Grant. A primary focus of the project will be establishing uniform certification standards (best practices) that can be applied to marinas throughout the region. The project will additionally support more marinas in completing certification.
See: Green Marina Project Page
- Restoring Native Fish Habitat in the St. Clair River
Total Funding: $1,040,000 over a 2-year period
New underwater reefs will be constructed to encourage native fish reproduction, like lake whitefish, walleye and lake sturgeon. Studies before and after construction will allow biologists to evaluate the impact of the work and improve future habitat restoration efforts.
Michigan Sea Grant is collaborating on five projects led by other institutions. A portion of these grants will support the work of Michigan Sea Grant Extension Educators.
- Outreach to Reduce the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species
(Sea Grant Extension Educator Dan O’Keefe)
- Expanding Vessel-based Education Programs
(Sea Grant Extension Educator Steve Stewart)
- Controlling Phragmites along Lake St. Clair
(Sea Grant Extension Educator Mary Bohling)
See: Marsh Restoration Project
- Beach Information Communication System
(Sea Grant Extension Educator Sonia Joseph Joshi)
- Laser Technology for Tracking Beach Contaminants
(Sea Grant Extension Educator Sonia Joseph Joshi)
About the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative
The Great Lakes are integral to the economic and cultural vitality of Michigan. However, their health is threatened by toxic contaminants, outdated sewage infrastructure, invasive species and a lack of coordinated conservation efforts.
The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, or GLRI, is the largest federal investment in the Great Lakes in more than two decades. The initiative targets some of the most serious threats to the Great Lakes. From drinking water to economies built on commercial fisheries, restoration is critical to keeping the region environmentally and economically viable.
Great Lakes restoration is likely to improve fishing, birding, hunting and swimming for Michigan residents and tourists. In addition, restoration should raise property values around Areas of Concern (e.g., Saginaw Bay) and reduce the costs of municipal water treatment.
Read the Report
A 2009 Michigan Sea Grant report, Michigan's Economic Vitality: The Benefits of Restoring the Great Lakes, estimated that Great Lakes restoration could provide significant ecological improvements throughout the state and that these improvements could produce economic benefits of $7-13 billion for Michigan.
See: Report (PDF), right
Restoration Benefit-Cost Analysis
In conjunction with the Brookings Institution, John Austin lead a team that conducted a benefit-cost analysis of implementing a comprehensive restoration program in the Great Lakes region. Using this economic analysis, Michigan Sea Grant estimated the specific benefits of restoration for Michigan.
Restoration Links
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