The Great Lakes Coast

Introduction

The Great Lakes has over 10,900 miles of coastline that provides valuable ecologic and economic benefits to the region. Not only do these areas support rich and diverse ecosystems, they also provide recreational opportunities such as boating and fishing. Coastal tourism and recreation is a growth sector in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence regional economy. The health of these systems is important, not just for our economy, but also for water quality, as coastal wetlands help keep freshwater systems clean for human consumption. Past and ongoing human activities have negatively affected this coastal environment, leading to loss of wetlands, toxic pollution, and overall ecosystem degradation. The Great Lakes Commission is dedicated to protecting this important area. For a description of our coastal activities, please see the navigation bar at left.

Visit GLIN to read more about coastal issues in the Great Lakes region

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