LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) – Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy is working on a state-wide maritime strategy. EGLE’s Office of the Great Lakes is working with the Department of Transportation, Natural Resources, and the Office of Future Development and Electrification.
The group is hoping to develop a strategy that will advance greening, electrification, decarbonization, equity and environmental justice, infrastructure, and the sustainability of Michigan’s maritime sector while ensuring the efficient movement of goods.
EGLE said they also want to stay in close contact with communities to make sure residents have a chance to weigh in and help generate comprehensive solutions that keep the state’s commercial shipping, ferries, and recreational boating in line with the larger goal of 100% carbon neutrality by 2050.
The state of michigan has over 3,000 miles of shoreline, the second longest of any state after Alaska. 1,700 miles of that is found in the U.P., with plenty of commercial ports and recreation areas to feed the state’s maritime sector, which is why Simon Belisle, Policy Specialist with the state Office of The Great Lakes said the U.P. will have an important voice as they start work on the strategy to guide policy, decision-making, research, programs, and education to include Michigan’s waterways in the state’s healthy climate plan.
“We’re trying to do this as part of Michigan’s effort to advance mobility, advanced carbon neutrality, and address the challenges of climate change in the maritime sector. I think the most important part to me, and this is that we’re looking to build this as a collaborative effort” Belisle said. “The U.P. just like a lot of other places in Michigan, but maybe especially in the U.P., water is part of everyday life. It’s very important to us that this is truly a statewide strategy and truly something that will allow us in the future to kind of have this guiding light to look at as we’re making policy and program decisions.”
EGLE has announced a Request for Proposals to fund one project over the next year to develop the plan. The expected project award period is October 1, 2024, through September of 2025. Those applications are open to for-profit and non-profit organizations, local and tribal municipalities, and universities, until July 25th. You can read more about the qualifications to apply on EGLE’s website: www.michigan.gov/egle/about/organization/office-of-the-great-lakes/michigan-great-lakes-protection-fund
