LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Michigan joins seven other Great Lakes states in an agreement to help fund a comprehensive federal study of the Great Lakes shoreline – 5,200 miles in total. 

While the study was authorized in 2018, the Great Lakes Coastal Resiliency Study (GLCRS)  did not receive its initial half a million dollars until 2022.  The entire cost is projected to be $10.6 million, and the Great Lakes states must cover a quarter of the costs.  Michigan itself will pay for 19% of the costs – or $499,525 – to cover the 3,288 miles of shoreline in the Wolverine state. 

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According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the GLCRS is “a comprehensive watershed assessment of the Great Lakes coastal areas” that includes identification of areas vulnerable to future storms, flooding, low water elevations, erosion and accretion, gradual growth. 

This watershed study will investigate opportunities to improve resilience in the built and natural environments, including coastal populations, buildings, infrastructure, industries, navigation systems, social/cultural resources, ecosystems, coastal landscapes, and natural processes according to the Army Corps of Engineers. 

By addressing vulnerabilities now, this saves money, property and lives in the future, the Corps said.  Proactive planning to identify and address issues before they occur is the goal of this coastal study specifically to identify vulnerable coastal areas and recommend actions to bolster the coastal ability to withstand, recover and adapt to future events, they said. 

“I am thrilled to celebrate the monumental partnering effort across eight Great Lakes states, the Corps, and other federal agencies to pursue this coastal resiliency study,” Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Michael Connor said,  “This collaboration is essential in developing science-based strategies to address the risk and vulnerabilities to communities, commerce, and the environment posed by climate change and its many impacts on the Great Lakes.”

A Great Lakes advocacy group praised the launch of the GLCRS and reiterated the importance of focusing on natural shorelines, coastal wetlands, and offshore reefs in order to help communities manage lake level changes. 

“Truly resilient shorelines won’t be built parcel by parcel, but miles at a time,” nonprofit Alliance for the Great Lakes said. “Investing in the Great Lakes coasts needs to be a top priority for Congress and this study is a critical step to identify the places most in need.”

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