Consensus Critical in Developing Great Lakes Restoration Plan

Team effort will be a critical factor as members of the Great Lakes community work to identify and secure funding for Great Lakes restoration activities, noted Ken DeBeaussaert, Director of the Michigan Office of the Great Lakes, during opening remarks at a September workshop held at the University of Michigan.

“The Great Lakes unite us as few issues can,” said DeBeaussaert. “It’s time we in the Great Lakes develop clear priorities, speak with one voice and seek funding to accomplish goals.”

DeBeaussaert was one of several speakers who addressed more than 80 workshop participants. Following opening remarks and presentations on fisheries, invasive species, pollution clean up and prevention and sustainable resource use, participants divided into groups to identify the most pressing Great Lakes issues.

Each group identified five restoration priorities and developed advice for implementing a large-scale restoration plan. Among the many topics discussed at the workshop were the continuing problem of invasive species, the need for pollution control from point and non-point sources, coastal habitat alteration, land use trends, the need for watershed health and management, the importance of public awareness of Great Lakes issues and the value of grass roots activities. Developing priorities will help to ensure that resources are allocated efficiently and effectively, said Michigan Sea Grant Interim Director George Carignan.

“This regional upwelling of interest has been complemented by federal legislative proposals in both houses of Congress,” said Carignan. “More generally, there’s a growing sense in the region and the nation that the time is right for initiating a comprehensive, coordinated approach to the restoration …of the Great Lakes system.”

The workshop was sponsored by the State of Michigan Office of the Great Lakes, the Great Lakes Commission and Michigan Sea Grant. Funding was provided by the National Sea Grant Program through a grant to the Great Lakes Commission and by the School of Natural Resources and the Environment at the University of Michigan.

Results of the workshop will be compiled and used to advise and assist in developing science-based restoration priorities in a comprehensive, region-wide effort led by the Council of Great Lakes Governors. Similar workshops will be organized in the other Great Lakes states, the provinces of Ontario and Quebec in partnership with the other Great Lakes Sea Grant programs and governors’ offices.

For more information, contact
Jennifer Read at (734) 936-3622
or email jenread@umich.edu