Chair's Letter

In recent months, we’ve made major strides in our work to protect our region’s waters and grow the economy. Last month, Michigan signed an agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Illinois to cosponsor the construction of the Brandon Road Interbasin Project. This milestone agreement unlocks hundreds of millions of dollars for this project that will prevent invasive carp and other aquatic invasive species from entering the Great Lakes. I am grateful to Governor Pritzker in Illinois, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and our champions in Congress for their long-term partnership on this monumental task, which has been a long-term priority for GSGP. Together, we will get the job done so we can protect our lakes and power economic growth for generations to come.

Our broader work continues to support the region’s blue economy. For example, GSGP recently issued a report on opportunities to electrify ferries in our region—a strategy that can improve mobility and benefit our environment. Separately, nearly 30 companies are now participating in GSGP’s 100% Fish Pledge and committing to productively use all of each Great Lakes fish they handle by 2025. GSGP recently held a fishskin tanning workshop to show one use for this raw material—fish leather—and work continues to develop other products.

Last, we continue to make progress toward our goal of planting 250 million new trees in the next ten years. Our Great Lakes Green Event program continues to grow with the Pan-American Masters Games in Cleveland being our most recent partner.

Working together, we are making our region the best place in the world to live, play and do business. Thanks for your partnership.     

Gretchen Whitmer
Chair, Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors & Premiers 
Governor, State of Michigan