Reducing nutrients entering the lakes, and preventing the introduction of new invasive species are the current priorities.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced on behalf of 16 federal agencies the membership of the first advisory board to support implementation of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative covering the largest surface freshwater system on Earth.
An action plan covers fiscal years 2010 through 2014 and addresses five issues deemed urgent: cleaning up toxics and areas of concern; combating invasive species; promoting near shore health by protecting watersheds from polluted run-off; restoring wetlands and other habitats; and tracking progress and working with strategic partners.
The Great Lakes provide more than 30 million Americans with drinking water and support a multi-billion dollar economy. In February 2009, President Obama proposed the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, the largest investment in the Great Lakes in two decades. GLRI funds are being used to accelerate cleanup work in the 29 remaining areas of concern identified by the U.S. and Canada under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.
“Protecting the Great Lakes — the largest surface freshwater system on Earth — is important for the health and well being of millions of people,” said EPA Acting Administrator and Acting Interagency Task Force Chair Bob Perciasepe.
The Great Lakes Advisory Board will provide advice and recommendations to the EPA Administrator, who serves as chair of the federal Interagency Task Force. EPA considered candidates from a broad range of interests including business, agriculture, foundations, environmental justice groups, youth organizations, environmental groups, academia and state, local and tribal representatives.
The first two-year appointments to the advisory board are:
- J. David Allen, Professor – University of Michigan.
- Patricia Birkholz, Founder – Great Lakes Legislative Caucus.
- Kathryn Buckner, President – Council of Great Lakes Industries.
- Naomi Davis, President – Blacks in Green.
- Molly Flanagan, Program Officer – The Joyce Foundation.
- Steve Galarneau, Director – Office of the Great Lakes, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
- Jennifer Hill, Field Manager – National Wildlife Federation and Healing Our Waters Great Lakes Coalition.
- Roger Germann, Executive Vice President – John G. Shedd Aquarium.
- Bill Hafs, Director of Environmental Programs – Green Bay Metropolitan Sewerage District.
- Michael Isham, Tribal Councilman – Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Government and Chair of the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission.
- Simone Lightfoot, Manager of Conservation & Sustainability – NAACP Detroit Branch.
- Joy Mulinex, Director – Public Policy and Great Lakes Land Conservancy Coalition Director – Western Reserve Land Conservancy.
- Jim Ridgway, Vice President – Environmental Consulting and Technology, Inc.
- Joan Rose, Professor – Michigan State University.
- Richard Stewart, CoDirector – Great Lakes Maritime Research Institute.
- Matt Thompson, Environmental Resources Coordinator – Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe.
- David Ullrich, Executive Director – Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative.
- Jim Wagner, City Administrator – Trenton, Michigan.
The Interagency Task Force is in the process of scheduling next steps for the Great Lakes Advisory Board in the spring.
