Evaluating and Enhancing Lake Michigan Nearshore Monitoring John Hummer and Guan Wang Great Lakes Commission Summer Webinar July 24, 2013

Recognized as necessary component of the Great Lakes ecosystem What is the “nearshore”? Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Emphasis on the Nearshore Zone

A network of Lake Michigan stakeholders engaged [or interested] in the monitoring of the Lake Michigan nearshore [and its impacting resources]. LMMCC Nearshore Monitoring (NEMO) Workgroup

Take advantage of 2010 intensive monitoring efforts to pursue integrated, complementary monitoring activities and avoid duplication of effort. Integrate nearshore/embayments and offshore monitoring efforts and connect basin and tributary/watershed efforts to help us understand whole-lake connections. Provide recommendations to the LMMCC and provide monitoring expertise (thus serving as an “expert arm”) for the Lake Michigan Lakewide Management Plan (LaMP). Generate valuable information from nearshore monitoring, such as baselines and trends that can be used in the future. Demonstrate a coordinated nearshore monitoring approach NEMO’s Original Objectives (2009)

Project Title: Evaluating and Enhancing Lake Michigan Nearshore Monitoring Purpose Evaluate and disseminate nearshore monitoring metadata results from the Lake Michigan Intensive Year monitoring program and other Lake Michigan nearshore monitoring [including monitoring of other resources that impact the nearshore] Apply lessons learned (& identify gaps in monitoring!) to improve the efficiency of future nearshore [and associated] monitoring efforts. GLRI NEMO Project

Updated (new) inventory of nearshore and related monitoring efforts Coordinated Lake Michigan nearshore monitoring database and GIS interface Two workshops (w/ proceedings) to evaluate nearshore monitoring efforts and develop a workplan for this group going forward Status report and assessment of nearshore monitoring for Lake Michigan Project Tasks/Outputs

Collected some 150 records of monitoring projects – thank you! Illuminate nearshore baseline monitoring data collected Highlight increased monitoring efforts over the past 4 years or so (due largely to GLRI) Will alllow us to identify gaps and needs for future monitoring efforts Inventory

Summary of Lake Michigan nearshore monitoring activities and gaps Recommendations for improving efficiencies and collaborative monitoring opportunities Highlight key watersheds Lake Michigan Nearshore Status Report and Assessment

Number of Monitoring Projects in 8-Digit Hydrologic Unit Codes (HUCs)

Increased stakeholder participation in the LaMP Collaborative monitoring Data sharing and coordination Strengthened dissemination of information on nearshore issues Enhanced implementation of priority restoration and protection efforts More informed and improved management of monitoring programs and resources Project Outcomes

Thank you for your participation! John Hummer Phone: