Great Lakes Ecological and Economic Protection Act of 2015 - Summer

The Great Lakes contain the largest surface freshwater system in North America and support over 40 million people, yet decades of industrialization, nutrient runoff, invasive species, and toxic contamination have significantly degraded ecosystem health. The proposed legislation reauthorizes and strengthens the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), allocating $475 million annually to address four core environmental threats: toxic substance contamination, nutrient pollution and harmful algal blooms, habitat degradation, and invasive species. Scientific analysis highlights the risks of bioaccumulation of contaminants such as mercury and PCBs, economic losses from invasive species, and water quality impairments affecting public health.

The report concludes that sustained federal funding and interagency coordination are essential to long-term ecological recovery. The Act strengthens accountability through mandatory reporting and adaptive management frameworks using measurable indicators such as reductions in contaminated Areas of Concern, decreases in nutrient loading, and restoration of native habitats. By institutionalizing the GLRI and enhancing coordination mechanisms, the legislation provides a science-based pathway to restore ecological integrity while protecting regional economic vitality and drinking water resources.

Learn more about the MPA-ESP Workshop in Applied Earth Systems Management.