Michigan's Great Lakes bottomlands are the final resting place of hundreds of shipwrecks—the cold, fresh waters of the lakes preserve these time capsules of our heritage. A national marine sanctuary and 13 state-designated underwater preserves protect and interpret them.
- The Michigan Underwater Salvage and Preserve Committee advises cooperating state agencies on policies and permits concerning shipwrecks on Great Lakes bottomlands.
- The Michigan History Center partners with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on the management of the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve.
- The Michigan Underwater Preserves Council has details on each preserve.
- The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy provides information on Michigan law and permits affecting underwater resources.
Committee Members
- Chris Antieau, EGLE Representative
- Ron Bloomfield, Kawkawlin
- Sandra Clark, DNR Representative
- Jeremiah Edson, Traverse City
- Dan Friedhoff, St. Ignace
- Daniel Harrison, Farmington Hills
- Wayne Lusardi, DNR/Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary
- Stacy Obrien, Shelby Township
- Nick Torksy, DNR Law Enforcement
The Underwater Salvage and Preserve Committee meets quarterly. Unless noted, meetings are virtual only. Meetings begin at 1 p.m. and are open to the public; agendas will be posted here in PDF format as they become available.
Accessibility Notice: To request an accommodation or other assistance for effective participation, please contact the person listed below as far in advance as possible to the scheduled event. All reasonable efforts will be made to arrange requested accommodations. Please contact: Sheri Giffin, Executive Secretary, at 517-231-1299 or GiffinS@Michigan.gov.
2026 Meeting Schedule
- Feb. 4
- April 8
- Sept. 23
- Dec. 2, agenda
Join the Zoom meeting
Meeting ID: 852 6275 1521
Passcode: n5CQPS