Shared Vision

In the face of a changing climate, our vision for the Great Lakes coasts is thriving and adaptable communities, ecosystems, economies, cultural heritage, recreational opportunities, and equitable access for present and future generations in perpetuity.

About the Study

The Great Lakes Coastal Resiliency Study (GLCRS) is a collaborative effort between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, NOAA, USGS, FEMA, USEPA, and the eight Great Lakes states: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

This six-year, $14.4 million project aims to improve the resilience of the Great Lakes coastline, which provides immense economic, environmental, and social value.

Signing Ceremony

A historic signing ceremony solidified a partnership between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and eight Great Lakes states. Together, we committed to funding the Great Lakes Coastal Resiliency Study (GLCRS) to protect and strengthen the Great Lakes for decades to come.

Study Purpose

The GLCRS evaluates the Great Lakes’ coastal areas to:

• Identify risks from storms, flooding, changing water levels, erosion, and sediment buildup.
• Recommend strategies to strengthen coastal resiliency.
• Create a collaborative decision-making process to guide investments by governments, Tribal Nations, and other organizations.

Without this study, agencies would lack critical information to address future coastal challenges.

Study Area

The study spans 5,200 miles of shoreline across the Great Lakes and their connecting channels in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

This area is home to over 4.2 million people who live within two miles of the coast and depend on its resources for work, recreation, and community well-being.

The study explores opportunities to improve resilience for:

• Coastal populations, buildings, and infrastructure.
• Industries, navigation systems, and cultural resources.
• Ecosystems, natural landscapes, and coastal processes.

Compliance and Guidelines

The GLCRS complies with Section 211 of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2020 and follows implementation guidance from the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, issued on September 17, 2021.

Process

The study builds on existing efforts like the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) to maximize the impact of past and ongoing projects. It evaluates future scenarios and maps vulnerable coastal resources in partnership with stakeholders.

By integrating past research and collaborative input, the study identifies strategies to strengthen coastal resilience and ensure long-term sustainability.

What Could be Impacted?

• Existing shore protection infrastructure and aging infrastructure
• Transportation, power, and stormwater infrastructure
• Major population centers: Chicago Detroit, Cleveland, Milwaukee, Buffalo, Green Bay, Erie, Duluth
• 60 commercial harbors moving >123M tons (USACE 2015)
• Cold-rolled steel production critical for automobile sector
• Maritime economy valued at $17.3B and includes 293,000 jobs (NOAA 2014)
• Fishing economy - Recreational ($14.3B), Commercial ($55.5M), and Charter ($105M) sales/revenue (USACE 2014)
• Recreational boating: 1/3 of nation’s registered boaters (USEPA)
• Future real estate development along coasts
• Littoral sediment transport processes, leading to erosion
• Coastal habitats: wetlands, bluffs, dunes, beaches (NOAA)
• Biodiversity: natives, threatened & endangered species (USEPA)