Resource Management program
Project Summaries

1. A Partnership Approach for Controlling Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Species in the Great Lakes: (Support for the Great Lakes Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species) (www.glc.org/ans)
   The Great Lakes Commission has provided staff support to the Great Lakes Panel since its inception in 1990 following the passage of the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act (P.L. 101-646). The Great Lakes Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species remains a precedent-setting forum on ANS issues both on a regional and national scale and includes a diverse membership among state, federal, and tribal entities, Great Lakes recreational and commercial water users, environmental groups and others. Of particular importance to the Panel are partnerships with the national Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force and other regional panels to facilitate the development and implementation of a coordinated approach to ANS prevention and control programs on a national scale. In supporting the three standing committees of the Panel, Great Lakes Commission staff plays a pivotal role in advancing ANS prevention and control in areas of information/education, research coordination and policy/legislation. The ANS Update, a quarterly publication of the Great Lakes Panel, features stories on priority ANS issues and provides brief reports on state and federal program developments. The leadership and experience of the Panel is greatly needed, given state and federal budget constraints, in efforts to maintain momentum in advancing ANS prevention and control coordinated on a multi-jurisdictional level. Funding for the Great Lakes Panel support is provided by grants under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration through the International Jurisdictional Fisheries Act. This project area addresses Article I, Section 4; Article VI, Sections D, E, and M; and Article VII, Section E of the Great Lakes Basin Compact. It also addresses Goal 2, Objective C, Strategic Actions I-iv; Goal 4, Objective A, Goal 5, Objectives A, B and C; Goal 6 Objectives A, B and C; and Goal 7, Objectives A and C of the draft Strategic Plan.

2. A Collaborative Approach to Advance Implementation of State Management Plans for Prevention and Control of Aquatic Nuisance Species in the Great Lakes Region
   The primary objective of this project is to identify and pursue opportunities that advance effective development and implementation of state management plans for the prevention and control of aquatic nuisance species (ANS) in the Great Lakes region. In assessing the status of the state management plans in the region, the project aims to determine how effectively ANS prevention and control goals are being met on both a state and regional basis and the actions needed to further advance these goals. A series of workshops will be conducted in each of the Great Lakes states, to review current state plan activities, determine unmet needs and opportunities/obstacles to address them and success stories that have advanced ANS prevention and control efforts. Also, a model assessment process will be developed to monitor ongoing progress in the development and/or implementation of the state management plans. This project is funded by the national Sea Grant program. The project addresses Article VI, Sections D and E and Article V, Section E of the Great Lakes Basin Compact. It also addresses Goal 1, Objective B; Goal 2, Objective A, Strategic Actions I and v; Goal 2, Objective B, Strategic Action iii; Goal 2, Objective C, Strategic Actions I-iv; Goal 4,Objectives A, B and C; Goal 5, Objectives A, B and C; Goal 6, Objectives A, B and C and Goal 7, Objective A of the draft Strategic Plan.

3. Rapid Response for Great Lakes Aquatic Invasions
   The goal of this project is to develop a model rapid response plan as part of an overall regional effort to enhance capacity to anticipate, prevent and respond to new aquatic invasions of nonindigenous species in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region. Guidance presented in the model plan addresses the critical period between introduction and establishment of new aquatic invasive species (AIS) populations when the focus of management must shift rapidly from prevention to control/eradication. As part of the rapid response initiative, efforts will focus on marketing the model plan for implementation among the Great Lakes states, provincial and federal agencies on a collaborative basis. Funding for this project is provided by the U.S. EPA-Great Lakes National Program Office and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration. This project addresses Article IV, Sections A, D, E and M and Article VII, Section E of the Great Lakes Basin Compact. It also addresses Goal 1, Objectives B and C; Goal 2, Objective A, B, and C; Goal 4, Objectives A, B and C; Goal 5, Objectives A, B, and C; and Goal 6, Objectives A, B, and C of the draft Strategic Plan.

4. Nonindigenous Aquatic Invasive Species Early Detection and Monitoring: A Pilot Project for the Lake Michigan Basin
   This project supports the Commission’s ongoing efforts to prevent the introduction and spread of nonindigenous aquatic invasive species (AIS) in the Great Lakes basin. This project was initiated in 2003 with a primary purpose of producing a set of guidelines and recommendations for a coordinated system to detect new AIS invasions and track the spread of existing invasions in the Lake Michigan basin. It also serves as a pilot project to advance the development of a Great Lakes region-wide AIS monitoring program. The project builds on an existing framework of monitoring coordination and regional invasive species management. Project findings are being integrated with the ongoing development of the model rapid response plan for Great Lakes invasions. Project funding was provided by the U.S. EPA-Great Lakes National Program Office. The project addresses Article I, Section 2 and Article VI, Section A of the Great Lakes Basin Compact. It also addresses Goal 2, Objective C; Goal 4, Objectives A, B and C; Goal 5, Objective B and C; Goal 6, Objective C; and Goal 7, Objective A of the draft Strategic Plan.

5. Educational and Management Tools to Address Aquatic Invasions
   The focus of this project is to strengthen awareness and understanding of aquatic invasive species (AIS) problems and associated impacts on a regional and national scale through a complete revision of the highly popular publication, Biological Invasions originally produced by the Commission and the Great Lakes Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species in 1996. As part of this outreach initiative, efforts will be made to improve communication among a wide array of stakeholders in efforts develop and disseminate accurate and consistent messages on the AIS issue. In the management arena, options will be developed on a species-specific basis. The project will also integrate outreach efforts with management strategies regarding AIS prevention and control. Funding for this project is provided by U.S. EPA-Great Lakes National Program Office. This project addresses Article I, Section 4; Article VI, Section E; and Article VII, Section E of the Great Lakes Basin Compact. It also addresses Goal 1, Objective B; Goal 2, Objectives A, B and C; Goal 5,Objectives A, B and C; and Goal 6, Objectives B and C of the draft Strategic Plan.

6. A Model GIS Assessment of Nonindigenous Invasive Species in Michigan Waters
   This project stems from the goals and principles set forth in "A Great Lakes Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Species" signed by the Great Lakes Governors in 2001 in support of the U.S. federal Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-646). The main product under this project was an online tool to collate, document and disseminate information on key aquatic invasive species to inform the public and assist in the coordination among resource managers. Funding for this project was provided by the Michigan Great Lakes Protection Fund. The program addresses Article I, Section 1 and Article VI, Section 5 of the Great Lakes Basin Compact, and addresses Goal 2, Objective C, Strategic Action iv of the draft Strategic Plan.

7. Great Lakes Biohydrologic Information System Study
   Under the John Glenn Great Lakes Basin Program: Section 455 (b) Great Lakes Biohydrologic Information, authorized under the Water Resources Development Act of 1999, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District contracted with the Great Lakes Commission to develop an inventory of information relevant to the Great Lakes biohydrological system including groundwater and surface hydrology, tributary flows, biological aspects affected by water quality and flows and meteorological data. Funding for this project is provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District. The project addresses Article I, Section 1 and 4 and Article VI, Section 1 and 2 of the Great Lakes Basin Compact, and addresses Goal 1, Objective A, Strategic Action I, ii and iii and Objective B, Strategic Action I; Goal 2, Objective B, Strategic Action I and ii; Goal 4, Objective A, Strategic Action ii, iii and iv and Objective B, Strategic Action I and ii; and Goal 6, Objective A, Strategic Action I of the draft Strategic Plan.

8. A Water Conservation Tool Kit for the Great Lakes Region
   This collaborative effort involving state, provincial, federal and NGO partners involved the development of a water conservation tool kit to assist public water suppliers and state and provincial agencies incorporate water conservation measures into their water management programs. Using a case study approach, the project also identified best conservation practices that might be implemented to address the draft water conservation provisions identified under the Great Lakes Charter Annex 2001 process. Funding for this initiative was provided by the Great Lakes Protection Fund. The project addresses Article 1, Section 1 and 4 of the Great Lakes Basin Compact, and addresses Goal 1, Objective A, Strategic Action iii and Objective B, Strategic Action I; Goal 6, Objective A, Strategic Action I of the draft Strategic Plan.

9. Operation and Maintenance of the Great Lakes Regional Water Use Database
   Since 1988, the Great Lakes Commission has served as the repository for the Great Lakes Regional Water Use Database established by the Great Lakes states and provinces to fulfill one of the key requirements of the Great Lakes Charter of 1985. The database was created to provide a uniform, consistent base of data of water withdrawals, diversions and consumptive uses for nine categories of water use in the Great Lakes basin. Water use data are provided to the Commission on an annual basis. These data are then compiled with reports provided to the jurisdictions to assist them in the conduct of their water resources planning and management activities under the Great Lakes Charter. This project addresses Article I Sections 1 and 4; Article VI Sections A and B; and Article VII Section H of the Great Lakes Basin Compact. It also addresses Goal 1, Objective A, Strategic Actions I, ii, and iii; Goal 4, Objectives B, Strategic Actions I and ii; and C, Strategic Actions I and ii; and Goal 6, Objective A, Strategic Action I under the draft Strategic Plan.

10. Great Lakes Basin Program for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control
    This program was established by the Commission in 1991in partnership with U.S. EPA and the Great Lakes States. The Program received authorization under the 2002 Farm Bill. Working with a state/federal task force, the Commission administers an annual grants program for demonstration projects and technical assistance, and also undertakes information/education initiatives designed to improve Great Lakes water quality through sustainable land use practices in both urban and agricultural settings. Funding for the Basin Program is provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service. The program addresses Article VII Section G - of the Great Lakes Basin Compact, and addresses Goal 2, Objective A and Strategic Actions I and vi of the draft 2004 Strategic Plan.

11. Post-PLUARG Workshop
    The Great Lakes Commission is convening a workshop to assess the current state of nonpoint source pollution and changes in land use activities since the final reports of the Pollution from Land Use Activities Reference Group (PLUARG) in the late 1970s. This “by invitation” workshop, to be held November 8-10 in Ann Arbor, will bring together Great Lakes scientists, agency regulators and land-use managers to review progress toward meeting PLUARG recommendations and to identify issues and unmet needs. Workshop participants will discuss opportunities for advancing an aggressive regional agenda for land-use management and nonpoint source pollution control. Funding for this project is being provided by the U.S. EPA-Great Lakes National Program Office, the USDA-NRCS and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This project addresses Article I (Action 1),and Article VI, (powers 1 and 2) of the Great Lakes Basin Compact; and Goal 1, Objective B and C, and Goal 3, Objective B of the draft Strategic plan.

12. Great Lakes Tributary Modeling Program
    Since 1998, the Great Lakes Commission has been assisting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the development of sediment transport models for tributaries to the Great Lakes that discharge to federal navigation channels or Areas of Concern (AOCs). These models are designed to serve as tools for watershed planning and to assist state and local resource agencies in evaluating alternatives for soil conservation and sediment reduction, thereby reducing the need for and costs of navigation dredging while promoting actions to delist Great Lakes AOCs. Working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and its partners, the Commission facilitates coordination with the Great Lakes states and provides technical and administrative assistance in support of this important initiative. Funding for this program is provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District. The program addresses Article VI, Section D and Article VII, Section G of the Great Lakes Basin Compact, and addresses Goal 1, Objective B, Strategic Action I; Goal 2, Objective A, Strategic Action vi; and Goal 5, Objective A, Strategic Action iii of the draft Strategic Plan.

13. National Park Service, Water Resource Management Plan, Isle Royale
    In 2002 the Great Lakes Commission entered into a contractual agreement with the U.S. Department of the Interior, National park Service (NPS), to write a Water Resource Management Plan (WRMP) for Isle Royale National Park in Michigan. Working with the NPS staff, along with state, federal and NGO stakeholders, the GLC staff developed a planning process that included the conduct of a scoping workshop, and the preparation of multiple review drafts to receive NPS staff comments. A final draft WRMP will be presented for park review and authorization at the end of 2004. Funding for the project is provided by the NPS-Water Resources Division. This project addresses Article VI Sections A and B of the Great Lakes Basin Compact. It also addresses Goal 2, Objective B, Strategic Actions I and ii and Objective C, Strategic Actions iii and iv; Goal 4 Objective A, Strategic Action ii; and Goal 6 Objectives A, Strategic Action I and Goal C, Strategic Action ii of the draft Strategic Plan.

14. Great Lakes Science Vessel Coordination
    Since 1997, the Great Lakes Commission has worked with a binational partnership of state, provincial, federal and academic institutions on a coordinated approach to the management and operations of Great Lakes science and educational vessels. Scientists, managers and vessel operators from both the U.S. and Canada have met annually to provide input on the development and refinement of an action plan to promote the efficient use Great Lakes science vessels. These annual workshops provide a forum for continued discussion of important logistical issues and to gauge project progress in the areas of science, management and operations. The Great Lakes Commission has worked with a project steering committee to plan and convene the annual Great Lakes Science Vessel Coordination workshops. This project addresses Article 1, Sections 1 and 2 and Article VI Section B of the Great Lakes Basin Compact. It also addresses Goal 2, Objectives A, Strategic Actions ii and iv and B, Strategic Actions I and ii; Goal 4, Objective A, Strategic Action ii, and Goal 6, Objective C, Strategic Action ii under the draft Strategic Plan.