Supporters of the Great Lakes gathered in Washington, D.C., from March 5-7, 2024, for the Great Lakes Commission semiannual meeting and Great Lakes Day on the Hill. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Great Lakes and Ohio River Division, leadership and staff attended various engagements throughout the week. This event plays a key role in addressing important issues and challenges across the watershed while developing shared solutions.
“Partnering with stakeholders on Great Lakes projects and initiatives not only amplifies our collective impact but also ensures that every voice is heard and every perspective considered,” Maj. Gen. Mark Quander, USACE Great Lakes and Ohio River Division commanding general, said. "Together, we are stewards of these precious waters. Through our united efforts, we will safeguard the Great Lakes for generations to come."
During the week, LRD leaders met with the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Cities Initiative at the Delegation of Mayors for a roundtable about current initiatives happening in the cities. The GLSLCI is a binational coalition representing over 200 mayors and municipal leaders from U.S. and Canadian cities in the Great Lakes Basin.
LRD also provided an update on the Great Lakes Coastal Resiliency Study, a comprehensive watershed assessment of the Great Lakes coastal areas. It identifies places that could be vulnerable to future storms, flooding, extremely low or high water levels, erosion, and accretion.
“So far, we’ve executed a cautionary agreement with all eight Great Lakes states,” said Dave Bucaro, USACE Chicago District chief of planning. “Together with the Corps of Engineers, the coastal programs from each of the Great Lakes states, along with our other federal partners including NOAA, USGS, FEMA, and EPA, we are working to identify a strategic vision for the Great Lakes coast and simultaneously developing a basin-wide analysis of potential vulnerabilities of existing local resources.”
Great Lakes Day on the Hill kicked off on March 7 with a congressional breakfast reception in the Rayburn House Office Building. Speakers included Rep. Marcy Kaptur of Ohio, Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, and Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota. Afterward, Quander and Joseph Savage, USACE LRD programs director, met with port directors from the American Great Lakes Ports Association to discuss their challenges.
The AGLPA represents the interests of U.S. commercial ports and port users while advocating for maritime commerce. “I appreciate the equities you are bringing to the table and what is first and foremost on your mind,” Savage said. “We want you to know that it is important to us and understanding all the issues you’re dealing with helps us make better, more informed decisions.”