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In June 2023, EPA began a series of public-input sessions on Great Lakes restoration and protection priorities. As of August 31, 2023, EPA has completed our public engagement period and will be considering the input received as we draft a new plan for 2025-2029.
The next opportunity to provide input will be this winter when the draft action plan will be available for public comment.
Please watch this site for updates. Here is the input we have received so far from our public engagement sessions and via email.
Read the feedback we received.
Public Engagement Sessions
Recorded June 27, 2023 virtual engagement session:
Recorded Aug., 23, 2023
Major Focus Areas
The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) five-year Action Plan for 2025-2029 will outline the Initiative’s priorities and goals in five focus areas. Read fact sheets below that explain the different 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.
Focus Area Fact Sheets
Previous Action Plans
Learn what topics were covered in previous GLRI action plans.
GLRI Background
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.
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.