On this page:
As U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and its federal partners develop an updated action plan for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, a key part of the process will be seeking public input. Starting in June, EPA will begin a series of public-input sessions on Great Lakes restoration and protection priorities.
Since 2010, the GLRI has provided funding to strategically target the biggest threats to the Great Lakes ecosystem and to accelerate progress toward achieving long-term goals. GLRI Action Plan III was published in 2019 to guide restoration and protection through 2024. Action Plan IV will cover 2025 through 2029.
As part of the GLRI Action Plan IV development process, EPA and its partners are seeking public input on the plan, including:
- How the plan can be improved over previous GLRI action plans?
- What key priorities should be included in the plan?
- How can the plan be improved to better incorporate environmental justice and the impacts of climate change?
Engagement Sessions
The first engagement session will be held on June 7 in Cleveland. Additional engagement sessions in other Great Lakes cities will be announced soon. Registration is not required and parking is free.
EPA will also host virtual engagement sessions, with the first tentatively scheduled for June.
At each session, EPA will provide a quick overview of the GLRI and the purpose of the Action Plan, and then give public participants an opportunity to directly interact with EPA staff and ask questions and provide comments.
Scheduled in-person public engagement sessions:
Cleveland, Ohio
Wednesday, June 7, 6-8 p.m.
The Great Lakes Science Center
601 Erieside Ave.
Superior, Wisconsin
Wednesday, July 12, 6-8 p.m.
University of Wisconsin Superior
Yellowjacket Union, Belknap and Catlin Ave.
Rochester, New York
Wednesday, July 19, 6-8 p.m.
Rochester Museum and Science Center, 657 East Ave.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Tuesday, July 25
Detroit, Michigan
Tuesday, August 15, 6-8pm
DNR Outdoor Adventure Center
1801 Atwater Street
Virtual sessions:
-
Tuesday, June 27, 11-1pm (CDT)
Log in to engagement session. -
Wednesday, August 23, from 5-7 pm (CDT)
Log in to engagement session.
Major Focus Areas
EPA and its federal partners are beginning to develop the next Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) five-year Action Plan for 2025-2029. The Action Plan will outline the Initiative’s priorities and goals in five focus areas:
- Toxic Substances and Areas of Concern;
- Invasive Species;
- Nonpoint Source Pollution Impacts on Nearshore Health;
- Habitat and Species; and
- Foundations for Future Actions.
The draft GLRI Action Plan IV is expected to be available for public input in winter 2023/2024.
Contact Us
We want to hear from you. Email us with ideas and concerns. (GLRIActionPlanIV@epa.gov)
Previous Action Plans
GLRI Background
The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative was launched in 2010 to accelerate efforts to protect and restore the largest system of fresh surface water in the world — to provide additional resources to make progress toward the most critical long-term goals for this important ecosystem.
GLRI has been a catalyst for unprecedented federal agency coordination — through the Interagency Task Force and the Regional Working Group, which are led by EPA.
GLRI resources have been used to fund thousands of projects to improve water quality, to protect and restore native habitat and species, to prevent and control invasive species and to address other Great Lakes environmental problems.