GLRC Summit I: Duluth, Minnesota | July 7, 2005

Senior representatives of the GLRC officially released a draft "Strategy to Restore and Protect the Great Lakes” on July 7, 2005 at the Leif Erickson Rose Garden near Lake Superior in Duluth, Minnesota at a ceremonial event entitled, “Summit I.”

Among those making remarks at the event were Benjamin Grumbles, USEPA Assistant Administrator for Water; Scott Hassett, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Secretary; Duluth’s Mayor Herb Bergson; Superior Wisconsin’s Mayor David Ross; and Frank Ettawageshik, Tribal Chairman of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians.

The draft Strategy was the culmination of a seven-month intensive effort by about 1,500 interested stakeholder participants on eight Issue Area Strategy Teams, addressing the environmental priorities identified by the Great Lakes Governors. Each of the Strategy Teams provided their recommendations for the highest priority actions to take to protect and restore Great Lakes ecosystem impairments.

Upon its release, the draft Strategy was made available for a 60-day public comment period.