The next GLLC web meeting will be held on Friday, March 22, at 10:00 a.m. CT. We will be hearing an update on Great Lakes policy at the U.S. federal level from Chad Lord, policy director for the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition and senior director with the National Parks Conservation Association.

Several critical issues are before U.S. Congress right now: reauthorization of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, a new farm bill, and potential new opportunities related to conservation and controlling nutrient pollution, measures to address in harmful algal blooms in the Great Lakes, and more.

Learn what’s at stake for the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region:

ICYMI: State Flood Resilience Policies and Binational Oil Spill Response

In the first two months of 2024, the GLLC held two virtual meetings.

The Task Force on Climate Resiliency led a discussion with Dr. Sara Hughes from the University of Michigan about her work on state flood resilience policies. Dr. Hughes studied the eight Great Lakes states and the use/prevalence of policies in key areas such as planning guidance, regulations and standards, and funding to support flood resilience. The accompanying graph outlines her findings of active policies, with a 'star' if equity measures were included. In her presentation, Dr. Hughes outlined the pivotal role that states play in supporting resilient communities and bringing equity to state and local resilience efforts. The Task Force plans to continue to work with Dr. Hughes on further exploring and identifying best practices. See the full presentation.

On January 19, the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Legislative Caucus (GLLC) had a discussion with the United States Coast Guard and Canadian Coast Guard about binational emergency response on the Great Lakes. Attendees asked about response in the case of an Enbridge Line 5 pipeline spill in the Great Lakes and how climate change is impacting the plans and exercises being undertaken. In reference to Enbridge Line 5, Popiel said that so far, there have not been any releases of materials along the coastal zone of the Great Lakes. If there were to be a Line 5 spill in the Great Lakes, the U.S. Coast Guard would respond based on practiced and in-place coordinated response plans. As the operator, Enbridge would be responsible for handling shutoff and initial response procedures, while the U.S. Coast Guard and the corresponding Canadian agency would be responsible for making sure that response plans are followed and handled appropriately.

Read more and watch the webinar: "Binational Oil Spill Response on the Great Lakes"

State and Provincial Legislative Tracker

Be sure to take a look at the searchable, sortable GLLC State and Provincial Legislative Tracker for the latest of Great Lakes-St. Lawrence legislative activity: