Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a suite of manufactured chemicals with wide applications in consumer products ranging including clothing, cookware, cosmetics, and firefighting foams, are threatening the Great Lakes and Lake Champlaign region. These chemicals and their related precursor compounds have very strong bonds that make them waterproof, oil repellent, and high temperature and stain resistant. Their chemical structure also makes them very persistent in the environment, for which they are called “forever chemicals”. To explore the socioeconomic impacts of PFAS, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (IISG) is leading a Great Lakes and Lake Champlain regional research effort that is expected to support research to further advance the knowledge of social or economic issues related to PFAS risk, exposure, and remediation in these regions. The project advisory committee recommended a regional scoping effort to guide this effort; the purpose which was identifying and subsequentially prioritizing the knowledge gaps and potential socioeconomic barriers to PFAS efforts in the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain regions. Details of these scoping sessions are discussed in this report.

A rain garden is a green infrastructure project that can improve the quality of stormwater, minimize pollution, and enhance biodiversity and pollinator habitat. Purdue, Iowa State and Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant researchers explain how to site, size, design, install and maintain a rain garden, and provide advice on plant selection, too. Document is available for download in the Purdue Extension Ed-Store.

This quick fact sheet provides highlights of IISG’s work through 2022 with a bi-state perspective.

This quick fact sheet provides highlights of IISG’s work through 2022 with an Indiana perspective.

This quick fact sheet provides highlights of IISG’s work through 2022 with an Illinois perspective.

A Great Lakes Area of Concern, Muskegon Lake in Michigan has undergone a cleanup through the Great Lakes Legacy Act. As a result, the city of Muskegon has seen environmental, economic, and quality of life benefits.

Citations:

1. Paul Isely Erik Nordman Kendra Robbins Julie Cowie. Muskegon Lake Area of Concern Habitat Restoration Project: Socio-Economic Assessment Revisited. July 2020.
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.

Other Resources

• Great Lakes Commission: Assessing the Investment—The Economic Impact of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative: A Case Study of Muskegon, Michigan
• International Association of Great Lakes Research: Great Lakes Revival: How Restoring Polluted Waters Leads to Rebirth of Great Lakes Communities (pp. 39-46)
• Livability: Transforming Waterfronts Along the Muskegon Lakeshore
• Western Michigan Regional Shoreline Commission: Muskegon River Habitat Restoration at Veteran’s Memorial Park
• NOAA Fisheries: Muskegon Lake Nears Recovery After Years of Restoration
• MiBiz: Arts playing ‘huge role’ in shaping downtown Muskegon through pandemic
• WZZM Channel 13: A successful Muskegon festival season by the numbers
• WOOD Channel 8: ‘Hidden gem’ discovered: Muskegon Lake ripe for development
• FOX Channel 17: Great Lakes cruises bring passengers, revenue to Muskegon
• MLIVE: Marquette to Muskegon: Cruise ships bring big tourism dollars to the Great Lakes 
• Detroit Free Press: Cruise ships to visit Muskegon again after 2 years of COVID-19 cancelations