Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is the largest investment in the Great Lakes in two decades. A task force of 11 federal agencies developed an action plan to implement the initiative. This action plan covers fiscal years 2010 through 2014 and addresses five urgent issues:


  1. Cleaning up toxics and areas of concern;
  2. Combating invasive species;
  3. Promoting nearshore health by protecting watersheds from polluted run-off;
  4. Restoring wetlands and other habitats; and
  5. Tracking progress and working with strategic partners.

With input from citizens, three key priorities will guide restoration for 2012 and 2013:

  • Cleaning up Areas of Concern,
  • Reducing nutrients entering the Lakes, and
  • Preventing the introduction of new invasive species.

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Find a GLRI Project

Use the map below to find GLRI project information. Or, see a list of all GLRI projects.
(Note: the points on the map show the actual location of the project and/or the location of the entity managing the project.)

Highlights

Image of the GLRI Action Plan

Federal Agencies Seek Input to Update GLRI Action Plan

The federal agencies and departments of the Great Lakes Interagency Task Force have announced opportunities for the public to provide input to a planned update of the GLRI Action Plan.

The updated action plan would direct Great Lakes restoration for fiscal years 2015-2019. The public may comment directly to the federal agencies and to the Great Lakes Advisory Board, a panel of experts established to provide recommendations to the federal agencies.

More information>>

Satellite view of the Great Lakes

EPA Announces Membership of Great Lakes Advisory Board

EPA announced on behalf of 16 federal agencies the membership of the first advisory board to support implementation of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

The 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.

More information>>

FY2011 Report to Congress

EPA releases FY2011 Report to Congress on the GLRI

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative was launched in 2010 to tackle the long-standing problems and emerging challenges that must be addressed to revitalize the Great Lakes ecosystem.

In this report, the eleven federal departments and agencies that make up the Great Lakes Interagency Task Force share results. The Executive Summary provides an overview of the results that are discussed in greater detail throughout this report.

Read the report>>