Coastal restoration
Years of industrial activity and development have left many lakes and rivers contaminated with nitrogen, heavy metals, PCBs, and other toxic pollutants. Many rivers and streams have been dammed, channelized, or diverted to suit local needs. The result is that many aquatic ecosystems are stressed and degraded—unsafe for people and unsuitable for some wildlife. Sea Grant is working to restore these waterbodies through development and implementation of restoration techniques that will improve coastal health and ensure continued enjoyment and use of coastal resources by the public.
News
ews
- The HELM: Great Lakes Legacy Act fosters riverfront revitalization
- Need tips for restoring Great Lakes habitats?
- The HELM: Restoration master plans build on community clean ups
- The HELM: Living near waterways can be a plus or a minus
- The HELM: Restoring Streams from a Watershed Perspective
Initiatives
The Great Lakes Legacy Act
This congressional act provides matching funds to communities to speed up the pace of cleanup of contaminated sediments within Great Lakes Areas of Concern.
River Restoration: Practices and Concepts
This workshop series brings together experts from around the United States and Canada to discuss the successes and failures of current river restoration technologies.
Research
Multi-site Economic Benefits of Sediment Remediation of Great Lakes Areas of Concern
John Braden, University of Illinois
Urban Stream Naturalization - A System Context for Practice Implementation
Edwin Herricks, University of Illinois
More Coastal Restoration research
Products
Buffalo River Restoration Project: Frequently Asked Questions
Why Is Muskegon Lake being dredged? Great Lakes Restoration: Best Management Practices
Great Lakes Legacy Act Fact Sheets
Great Lakes Legacy Act Ecological Restoration Master Plans Hog Island and Newton Creek (Superior, WI)
Great Lakes Legacy Act Ecological Restoration Master Plans Muskegon Lake and Ruddiman Creek (Muskegon, MI)
River Restoration: Practices and Concepts Workshop Proceedings
Web Links
Great Lakes Restoration
National River Restoration Science Synthesis
U.S. EPA Great Lakes Ecological Protection and Restoration
