Great Lakes restoration a critical piece of regional economy

Will Hoyer

The Great Lakes region has the potential to once again play a dominant role in supporting the nation's economy, according to a report issued by the Brookings Institution in October 2006. The Brookings Institution, one of the country's largest and most influential policy think tanks, analyzes the issues that the region faces and the opportunities for the future and makes recommendations for re-invigorating the region.

The report, entitled "The Vital Center: A Federal-State Compact to Renew the Great Lakes Region" notes that the lakes themselves should be marketed as the foundation of a lifestyle, much like communities like Boulder, CO, and other western cities have marketed themselves as 'mountain' towns. Few people from outside the region recognize the high amenity values and beauty of the nation's 'North Coast.' This 'North Coast' is relatively free of threat from rising sea levels, hurricanes and other natural disasters and blessed with abundant supplies of fresh water. Other parts of the country will be running up against growth limits as fresh water supplies disappear.

Other recommendations include building a truly multi-modal high speed transportation network linking metropolitan areas, furthering the region's reputation as a true world leader in research and development of renewable fuels, fixing community's aging wastewater infrastructure before building new, and full funding of the Great Lakes Regional Collaborations $20 billion plan for restoring the Great Lakes.

That restoration plan, signed by the Great Lakes governors in late 2005 would provide funding to fix waste water infrastructure, fight invasive species, preserve wetlands, reduce polluted runoff and clean up polluted harbors. While legislation has been introduced in Congress to pass parts of the plan, so far Congress has failed to take the next step to actually pass the legislation and appropriate money.

While the Great Lakes region faces challenges, including aging workforce, declining industries, and struggling metropolitan areas, the Great Lakes can serve as the backbone for re-establishing the economic vitality of the region. What this means, though, is that it is essential to protect and restore the lakes now to provide the foundation for the renewal of the Great Lakes regional economy.

To read the complete Brookings Institution report go to: http://www.brook.edu/metro/pubs/20061020_renewgreatlakes.htm