DULUTH, Minn. — The United States Environmental Protection Agency announced today its appointees to the Great Lakes Advisory Board, a federal committee established to provide ongoing recommendations regarding the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement between the U.S. and Canada. The appointees included Jeff Stollenwerk, Duluth Seaway Port Authority director of government and environmental affairs.
“I am deeply honored to be appointed to the Great Lakes Advisory Board and to be representing our region on important environmental protection decisions at the federal level,” said Stollenwerk, who is joined on the board by leaders from Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin.
The 14 selectees represent a broad range of business groups, environmental organizations, academia and local, state and tribal governments. Collectively, the group will work with the EPA to find solutions for restoring and protecting the Great Lakes.
“First and foremost, the Great Lakes are the drinking water supply for millions of people and must be protected for future generations,” said Stollenwerk. “These tremendous water resources are also key drivers in the regional economic engine that includes industries, manufacturing, recreation and tourism. Advising the EPA on those interests, in addition to implementation of the binational water quality agreement, is important to ensure responsible use of our shared water resources now and in the future.”
The EPA’s Great Lakes Advisory Board originated in 2012 to advise on protection and restoration policy. It was re-established in December 2018. In April 2020, the EPA announced an additional $20 million in Great Lakes restoration funding. Today’s announcement of appointees occurred in Muskegon, Michigan, at Grand Valley State University’s Annis Water Resources Institute.
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Approximately 800 vessels and 35 million short tons of cargo move through the Port of Duluth-Superior each year, making it the Great Lakes’ largest tonnage port and one of the nation’s top 20. The Port supports 8,000 jobs and contributes $1.4 billion in business revenue to the regional economy. Learn more at DuluthPort.com.