DEQ - Office of Great Lakes

Michigan Department of Environmental Quality

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Office of the Great Lakes

Contact: Emily Finnell 517-241-7927
Agency: Environmental Quality

OGL Links Organization Chart Staff Directory Laws and Rules

Who We Are:

The Office of the Great Lakes is, as I like to say, "All things Great Lakes". The OGL was created by the Michigan Legislature in 1985 to be a one-stop shop for Great Lakes information and a unifying voice on Great Lakes issues. From protecting Lake water levels, restoring contaminated areas, addressing the threat of aquatic invasive species, ensuring improving water quality, and supporting wise development of our coastal communities, OGL is dedicated to the Great Lakes as a source of bounty for Michigan and the foundation of our future. But OGL is not "All things Great Lakes" alone. We are dedicated to working with our partners that share these values, including the Governor, state and federal legislators, DEQ and other agency staff, and regional bodies such as the Great Lakes Commission, International Joint Commission and the Council of Great Lakes Governors. The job of protecting the Great Lakes is as big as they are, and OGL is excited to serve the people of Michigan by committing ourselves to that mission. To contact the Office of the Great Lakes, call 517-335-4056; fax: 517-335-4053.

Patty Birkhloz, Director

What We Do:

Michigan's Office of the Great Lakes leads policy development and implements programs to protect, restore, and sustain the world's premier freshwater lakes. We collaborate with partners to support sustainable use of coastal resources, coordinate restoration of severely degraded areas, manage water quality and quantity, prevent aquatic invasive species, and engage in emerging issues. We are committed to our Great Lakes mission to ensure a healthy environment, strong economy and high quality of life and we are honored to serve the people of Michigan in our work.

What's New:

Check out our new OGL E-Form Newsletter!

Programs:

Specific Activities of the Office of the Great Lakes:	Program Areas
coordinating diversion and consumptive use reviews under the Great Lakes Charter;	Areas of Concern Coastal Management Program
awarding grants under the Michigan Great Lakes Protection Fund to promote Great Lakes research and demonstration projects;	Ballast Water Reporting Invasive Species
coordinating ballast water reporting pursuant to Section 3103 of NREPA 1994 Act 451 (Public Act 114 of 2001);	Great Lakes Water Use Great Lakes Restoration
implementing a comprehensive aquatic nuisance species control plan, as developed pursuant to the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Species Prevention and Control Act of 1990, Public Law 101-646;	Lake Coordination Michigan Great Lakes Protection Fund
preparing the annual State of the Great Lakes report focusing on efforts underway to restore, protect and preserve the Great Lakes ecosystem;
tracking trends impacting the chemical, physical and biological components of the Great Lakes ecosystem.