D. Great Lakes Restoration Project 



The five Great Lakes demonstrate misuse and 

 abuse of the environment by man. Total popula- 

 tion in the drainage basins around each of the 

 lakes corresponds closely to the degree of pollu- 

 tion. Lake Erie exhibits the greatest impairment, 

 followed by Lake Ontario, Michigan, Huron, and 

 Superior. Further, the rate of population growth 

 reflects the rate of accelerated aging or eutrophi- 

 cation processes in the lakes.^ ^ If corrective action 

 is not taken, further deterioration will parallel 

 future population growth. 



Various restorative techniques which have been 

 considered include removing the organic material, 

 slowing the growth rate or increasing the oxygen 

 supply. Specific suggestions include: 



—Sealing bottom samples 

 —Flushing with low nutrient water 

 —Nutrient removal 

 —Thermal destratification 

 -Dredging 



—Etiological and chemical controls 

 —Prevention of light penetration 

 —Rough fish removal. 



Of the various alternatives, the one which might 

 be most seriously considered is thermal destratifi- 

 cation. 



It must be emphasized that the restoration of a 

 lake as large as Lake Erie represents a major 

 environmental modification and, hence, must be 

 approached with caution. Analysis and evaluation 

 required before such an undertaking are beyond 

 the scope of this discussion. Although much of the 

 information necessary to evaluate the feasibility, 

 engineering requirements, and effects of an artifi- 

 cial recirculation project already exists, a great 

 deal of additional work is required. 



A project of this type is discussed in detail in 

 the Report of the Panel on Marine Engineering and 

 Technology. The cost of such a demonstration 

 project is estimated at $30 million. 



Based on the information which has been made 

 available to the Commission,^'' we recommend 

 experimental programs in lake restoration leading 

 to an attempt to restore Lake Erie. 



III. THE NEED FOR RESEARCH AND TRAIN- 

 ING 



Effective management and development of our 

 coastal waters, lands, and resources require that 

 man understand and predict the consequences of 

 his actions. With regard to the nearshore marine 

 and lake-coast environment, too often he is unable 

 to do so. 



To implement the acquisition of necessary 

 knowledge, there is a need for the estabUshment of 

 coastal zone research institutions in association 

 with appropriate academic institutions. They 

 would provide basic understanding of and training 

 in coastal and estuarine processes on which Fed- 

 eral, State, and local governments could rationally 

 base their management procedures. The research 

 institutions need not be large in size but should 

 have adequate facilities and staff to maintain a 

 stable program. 



There is sufficient difference between estuarine 

 and coastal problems from area to area, and these 

 problems are of such fundamental importance, 

 that a university affiliated laboratory devoted to 

 basic and applied marine science should be located 

 on every major estuarine system. The relationships 

 of oil wells to shrimp and oyster fisheries in 

 Louisiana differ from those of pulp mills and 

 salmon fisheries in Washington, and the cold water 

 organisms of the Maine coast have ecological 

 tolerances that differ from those of the warm 

 waters south of Cape Hatteras. Such problems are 

 better attacked in university centers in their 

 respective States than through a central Federal or 

 university- National laboratory. 



Although problems differ sufficiently from area 

 to area to require different groups studying indi- 

 vidual areas, many problems are common to all, 

 and a degree of specialization within laboratories is 



23 



Eutrophication, especially the effects in the Great 

 Lakes, is discussed in detail in Chapter 3. 



In its concern over the eutrophication of the Great 

 Lakes the Commission contracted with the Pacili" North- 

 west Laboratories of Battelle Memorial Institute for a 

 brief review of the potential of Great Lakes restoration. 

 The report of the contract is contained in Great Lakes 

 Restoration-Review of Potentials and Recommendations 

 for Implementation, Pacific Northwest Laboratories, 

 Battelle Memorial Institute, June 17, 1968. 



ni-143 



