Featured Issues on glc.org

Chicago Waterway Study
The Great Lakes Commission (GLC) and the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative (GLSLCI) are leading an initiative to develop and evaluate scenarios for separating the Mississippi River and Great Lakes watersheds to prevent the transfer of aquatic invasive species (AIS), with a focus on the Chicago Area Waterway System (CAWS). The concept is referred to as “ecological separation.” With support from a team of consultants, the project will provide a detailed evaluation of potential scenarios for ecological separation, including their costs, benefits and impacts. For more information, contact Tim Eder at teder@glc.org

2009 Annual Report
The Commission's annual reports include a look at the Commission's revnues and expenses, remarks from the chairman and executive director, a year in review and more. For more information, contact Christine Manninen at manninen@glc.org

Great Lakes Commission Legislative Priorities for FY 2011
2009 marked a “watershed” year for the Great Lakes when President Obama proposed – and Congress approved funding for – the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), an unprecedented, multi-year program to restore the Great Lakes. With funding of $475 million for the Initiative’s first year, the Great Lakes region is taking a significant step toward a cleaner environment and a healthier economy. For more information, contact Tim Eder, Executive Director, at teder@glc.org

Aquatic Nuisance Species
Since 1991, the Great Lakes Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) has worked to prevent and control the occurrence of aquatic nuisance species in the Great Lakes. This is an immense task, as more than 87 nonindigenous aquatic species have been accidentally introduced into the Great Lakes in this century. Once introduced, they must be managed and controlled, as they are virtually impossible to eradicate. For more information, contact Kathe Glassner-Shwayder at shwayder@glc.org

NOAA-GLC Joint Project
The Great Lakes Commission and the NOAA Coastal Services Center have a multi-year joint project focused Coastal Community Development; Data and Information Integration and Dissemination; and Ports and Navigation issues in the Great Lakes. The focus on the three themes is based on outcomes from a regional needs assessment completed in 2006. For more information, contact Victoria Pebbles at vpebbles@glc.org.