At the GLLC 2023 Annual Meeting, the membership approved an updated policy agenda after revisions proposed by the Executive Committee. The activity of the GLLC, including annual meetings, web meetings, Patricia Birkholz Institutes, regional legislative activity, and other advocacy efforts, is based on the approved agenda.

The issue areas are outlined below. See the full policy agenda with additional detail here.

Water Consumption: Ensure the availability of safe, clean, affordable drinking water

Toxic Substances: Remediate and prevent further pollution from emerging and legacy contaminants

Nutrient Management: Work with nonpoint source nutrient producers to reduce runoff

Aquatic Invasive Species: Control and prevent further introduction and movement of non-native species

Coastal Resiliency: Plan and respond to the impacts of climate change on Great Lakes communities

Great Lakes State and Provincial Legislative Tracker

The GLLC maintains a one-of-a-kind list of active state and provincial legislation related to Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River basin environmental policy. The tracker includes active bills in the five GLLC policy areas being considered in all 10 GLLC jurisdictions. Take a look to see the work of colleagues across the basin:

ICYMI: FEMA's Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund Program

Officials from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) joined the GLLC on August 11 to provide a virtual update on the newly formed Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund Program.

Authorized by the STORM Act signed into law in 2021, this new federal program capitalizes state and tribal government revolving loans funds to be disbursed to eligible local and tribal governments to "mitigate the impacts of natural hazards." Qualifying projects mitigate impacts and increase resilience for weather events, such as drought, extreme heat, severe storms, wildfires, floods, and earthquakes.

However, the capitalization funding is finite and requires an application from the state or tribal government in order to be considered for the limited funding. For the first year of funding, FEMA capitalized loan funds for Michigan, New York, the District of Columbia, Louisiana, Maryland, New Jersey, South Carolina, and Virginia. Another application process will close in spring 2024.

Participation in this FEMA program is being considered for recommendation by the GLLC Task Force on Climate Resiliency as it examines adaptation and resilience polices to guide the region.

The presentation slides can be found here.