1. Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and State Level Policy Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and State Level Policy Healing Our Waters Conference September 23, 2010 Todd Ambs President River Network

2. Great Lakes Environment –20% of world fresh surface water Quality of Life –Vast region of interconnected fresh surface water Economy –Critical resource for economy, recreation and environment

3. National Economy Depends on the Great Lakes 30% of GNP 30% of GNP 125 million tons cargo 125 million tons cargo $53 billion in annual revenue $53 billion in annual revenue Boating supports 250,000 jobs Boating supports 250,000 jobs

5. Years of Work Led To GLRI 2003 - Great Lakes Governors 9 Priorities 2003 - Great Lakes Governors 9 Priorities 2005 - Great Lakes Regional Collaboration 2005 - Great Lakes Regional Collaboration 2008 – Great Lakes Compact Passed 2008 – Great Lakes Compact Passed 2008 – Great Lakes President Elected 2008 – Great Lakes President Elected

6. Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

7. First Year Funding Successes $120 Million RFP Executed $120 Million RFP Executed InterAgency Agreements Created InterAgency Agreements Created Accountability Measures Developed Accountability Measures Developed

8. Second Year Challenges Maximize On-The Ground Project Work Maximize On-The Ground Project Work Maintain and Enhance State Ability To Perform Work Maintain and Enhance State Ability To Perform Work Focus on Geographic Results Focus on Geographic Results Monitor Water Quality Monitor Water Quality

9. We have the Blueprint for Action – Focus Funding on Projects Protect and restore wetland Protect and restore wetland Fish passage, Restore habitat Fish passage, Restore habitat Near Shore Habitat Improvements Near Shore Habitat Improvements Where appropriate Restore Natural Connectivity Where appropriate Restore Natural Connectivity

10. Maintain and Enhance State Agency Ability to Do Work State Capacity Funding Critical State Capacity Funding Critical States Can and Should Help Coordinate Work States Can and Should Help Coordinate Work States Can Best Assess Geographic Focus and Cumulative Impacts States Can Best Assess Geographic Focus and Cumulative Impacts

11. Areas of Concern Can Be Gateway To Concern for Areas Great Potential For Producing Tangible Results Great Potential For Producing Tangible Results Funding Of State Coordinators Crucial Funding Of State Coordinators Crucial Should Link To Other Geographic Opportunities Should Link To Other Geographic Opportunities

12. Water Quality Monitoring Can’t Know Where You Are Going If You Don’t Know Where You Are Implementation relies on good baseline data Implementation relies on good baseline data Must Be Able To Say What Worked and What Did Not Must Be Able To Say What Worked and What Did Not Partner with local groups, municipalities, others Partner with local groups, municipalities, others Circle of Success Begins With Data

13. We do not remember days, we remember moments. Cesare Pavese