Building Capacity and Partnerships to Restore Michigan’s Great Lakes Areas of Concern Under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Michigan State University Union
East Lansing, Mich.

Background

In his FY2010 budget, President Obama proposed $475 million for a Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, with a substantial portion dedicated to cleaning up the Great Lakes Areas of Concern. The purpose of the workshop was to identify restoration priorities in Michigan’s 14 Areas of Concern and develop partnerships and other arrangements to prepare proposals and seek funding for key restoration projects. At the workshop, staff from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality reviewed restoration needs in Michigan’s Areas of Concern. Representatives from U.S. EPA and other federal agencies discussed funding opportunities under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Local leaders from Michigan’s Areas of Concern were also present to discuss restoration needs, network with project partners and consider next steps for preparing funding proposals. The workshop convened participants working to clean up Michigan’s Great Lakes Areas of Concern, as well as partners who could help develop and implement proposals for cleanup projects. Representatives from public agencies, environmental and conservation organizations, foundations, colleges and universities, consulting firms and other groups were in attendance. Presentations from the meeting and associated materials are provided below.

Meeting Materials

• Agenda (PDF)
• Participants list (PDF)
• FY2010 Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Interagency Funding Guide (PDF)
• MI-Great Lakes Plan Executive Summary Brochure (PDF)
• MI-Great Lakes Plan (PDF)
• Frequently Asked Questions about Michigan's Areas of Concern (PDF)
• Guidance for Delisting Michigan's Great Lakes Areas of Concern (PDF)
• SPAC 2009 Status Report and Legislative Agenda (PDF)
  
  

Sponsors

The workshop was sponsored by the Statewide Public Advisory Council for Michigan’s Areas of Concern, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Michigan Dept. of Environmental Quality, and the Great Lakes Commission.

Contacts

• John Perrecone, AOC/RAP Program Manager, U.S. EPA-Great Lakes National Program Office, 312-353-1149, perrecone.john@epa.gov
• Rick Hobrla, Chief, Aquatic Nuisance Control and Remedial Action Unit, Michigan Dept. of Environmental Quality, 517-335-4173, hobrlar@michigan.gov
• Matt Doss, Policy Director, Great Lakes Commission, 734-971-9135, mdoss@glc.org
  
  

Presentations

Welcoming Remarks and Review of Workshop Purpose (PDF)
Jeff Spoelstra, Chair, Statewide Public Advisory Council for Michigan’s Areas of Concern Program (krwc@kalamazooriver.org)

Overview of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (PDF)
John Perrecone, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-Great Lakes National Program Office (perrecone.john@epa.gov)

Overview of the MI-Great Lakes Plan and Integration with the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (PDF)
Emily Finnell, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality-Office of the Great Lakes (finnelle@michigan.gov)

Introduction and Overview of Michigan’s Great Lakes Areas of Concern Program (PDF)
Roger Eberhardt, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality-Office of the Great Lakes (eberhardtr@michigan.gov)

Overview of Restoration Priorities in Michigan’s Areas of Concern (PDF)

• St. Clair River, Detroit River, and Clinton River
  Christine Aiello, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (aielloc@michigan.gov)
• Kalamazoo River, Muskegon Lake, White Lake and Manistique River
  Julie Sims, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (simsj@michigan.gov)
• Rouge River, River Raisin, Saginaw River/Bay and St. Marys River
  Michelle Selzer, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (selzerm@michigan.gov)
• Torch Lake, Deer Lake, and Menominee River
  Sharon Baker, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (bakers9@michigan.gov)

Overview of Agency Funding Programs Under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (PDF)
Karen Rodriguez, U.S. EPA-Great Lakes National Program Office
(rodriguez.Karen@epa.gov)

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(no presentation available)
John Iliff, NOAA Restoration Center
(john.iliff@noaa.gov)

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (PDF)
Amy DeWeerd, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
(deweerd.amy@epa.gov)

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (PDF)
Marty Kuhn, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District
(Martin.T.Kuhn@usace.army.mil)