Great Lakes Report Highlights Michigan’s Successful Strides Toward Protection, Restoration

by admin

Dear Friends of the Great Lakes:

Each year, pursuant to Public Act 128 of 1985, Michigan's Governor releases an
annual report on the State of the Great Lakes.  The Office of the Great Lakes
assists the Governor in preparing the State of the Great Lakes Report, as a
status of progress made toward restoring and protecting the Great Lakes
ecosystem.  

The 2010 Annual Report focuses on on-the-ground efforts to protect and restore
the four lakes that border Michigan:  Lakes Erie, Huron, Michigan, and Superior.
Funding from the new federal Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and other
programs, such as the Michigan Coastal Management Program, are enabling Michigan
to make tremendous advancement toward implementation of the Great Lakes Regional
Collaboration Strategy and the MI-Great Lakes Plan.  Over $80 million has been
awarded to-date under the 2010 Great Lakes Restoration Initiative for more than
140 projects across the state.

In her 2004 Special Message to the Legislature on Water, the Governor laid out a
broad agenda and called for the Legislature to work with the Administration on a
bipartisan basis in reclaiming Michigan's historic role as protector of the
Great Lakes and our water resources.  The Annual report demonstrates that great
strides have been made in finding bipartisan agreement with support from
businesses, environmental, and conservation groups.  These efforts include
development and implementation of new water withdrawal laws, aggressively
working to prevent new introductions of invasive species such as the Asian carp,
and building strong partnerships and collaborations through development and
implementation of regional and state strategies for protection and restoration
efforts.

The 2010 State of the Great Lakes Annual Report is prepared by the Office of the
Great Lakes.  To download a PDF of the State of the Great Lakes 2010 Report,
visit www.michigan.gov/dnregreatlakes. 

Ken DeBeaussaert, Director
Office of the Great Lakes
Michigan Department of Natural Resources & Environment
PO Box 30473
Lansing, MI 48909
finnelle@michigan.gov
517-241-7927