The deep waters of Lake Michigan support a rich ecosystem with a complex food web and a variety of habitats and species. Despite its vastness, however, the health of Lake Michigan, the Great Lakes, as well as nearby wetlands, rivers, and streams are vulnerable to threats posed by external forces. These threats impact the health of ecosystems as well as the fishery, other industries, and quality of life in the region.

Nonindigenous aquatic invasive species (AIS) such as lamprey, alewife, and zebra mussel have tremendous impact on the Lake Michigan ecosystem and its reliant industries (e.g., commercial fishing, electrical power generation). Several of these species also threaten our inland waters. The potential introduction of additional species, such as the Asian carp, may have further environmental and economic impacts on the Lake Michigan region. Water users and resource managers require new methods to prevent future introductions and more environmentally friendly and efficient methods to control existing infestations.

Within the Illinois and Indiana coastal region of Lake Michigan, there are numerous areas where decades of industrial pollution have contaminated sediments. Current proposals for remediation of these toxic sediments are very expensive. A comprehensive assessment of the benefits of remediation is difficult and is needed in the Great Lakes region. Likewise, the restoration of rivers, streams, wetlands, and beaches requires careful planning and up-to-date information.

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