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Conservation Concerns in Michigan: The Great Lakes

The Great Lakes are among the most valuable freshwater bodies in the world, holding 95 percent of America's surface freshwater. The lakes supply clean drinking water to millions of Americans, support industries that helped build America's economy to become the world's largest, and serve as a vital transportation artery connecting America to the wider world. The Great Lakes are a priceless ecological resource, with unparalleled fisheries, scenery, and outdoor recreation opportunities on the lakes and along the lakes' 10,000 miles of coastline.

The Great Lakes, however, are at risk as a result of stormwater and sewage pollution, toxic hot spots, mercury deposition from regional and global sources, invasive species, and declining lake levels that might worsen as a result of climate change.

To restore the health of the lakes, contaminated sediments must be cleaned up, invasive species, such as Asian carp and exotics hitching rides aboard freighters, must be kept out of the lakes, nearshore fish and wildlife habitat must be restored, mercury pollution must be limitied, and stormwater pollution, sewage contamination, and soil erosion must be reduced.

Projects are underway to restore the Great Lakes ecosystem. In Michigan, for example, funded projects include restoration of the Erie Marsh coastal wetland in Monroe County, restoration of fish spawning habitat in the St. Clair River, purchase of conservation easements to protect Grand Traverse Bay, and removal of two old concrete dams on the Paw Paw River in Van Buren County.

The Great Lakes are an irreplaceable resource that must be restored and protected for present and future generations.

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