7. GREAT LAKES RESTORATION PROGRAM 
Increasing populations, industrialization, and pollution have created within the 20th century a decline 
in fresh water resources. The fresh water resources of the Great Lakes and major rivers must be 
protected and controlled. The establishment of the Great Lakes Restoration Program will provide the 
knowledge and technology necessary to reverse the disastrous trends of declining natural fresh water 
resources. Pollution can be controlled through new abatement technology coupled with effective 
legislation. These steps are necessary before a fresh water restoration program can be implemented. 
Emphasis will be placed on basic ecological understanding of the Great Lakes. Possible restorative 
actions might include algae removal, restocking, the introduction of various forms of beneficial plant and 
animal life, and artificial destratification. 
Considerations must be made of the beneficial and detrimental effects of increased population centers 
and their basic social needs. A complete cost-benefit analysis will be a logical first step. Techniques 
successful in the Great Lakes will be applicable to other fresh water resources. 
NATIONAL PROJECT 
7. Great Lakes Restoration Program 
Fundamental Technology Subsystem and Component Development 
Pollution measurement 
Aeration techniques 
Light transmission Outfall design 
Air and oxygen solubility Use of additives 
Fresh water ecology Large scale.mixing techniques 
Introduction of various forms of plant and animal 
life 
Effect of blocking-off sunlight 
Use of artificial bottom coatings 
Use of thermal heat for upwelling 
Filtering of inlet 
Harvesting algae 
Expected Benefits Operational Systems 
Economic 
Develop a whole new industry of fresh water renovation 
Protect and enhance coastal Property values 
Social 
Provide additional fresh water areas clean-enough for 
recreation ; 
Provide satisfaction that pollution is not a necessary 
result of civilization and that the trend can be 
reversed 
All out program to clean up the Great Lakes 
Reservoirs and artificial lakes for urban areas 
Control stations to combat unfavorable effects on 
fresh water lakes 
Neweindustries to accomplish clean-up tasks, e.g. 
Aeration of water 
' Artificial bottoms 
Circulation 
Surface covers 
Algae removal 
Destratification 
VI-237 
