The Great Lakes are one of the most important economic drivers in Michigan, yet we know more about the surface of the moon than the floor of the lakes.
The Great Lake Observing System found that only 15% of the floor of lakes have been mapped in detail and came up with a plan to map the remaining 85% by 2030.
They say having a high-density map of the lake beds is critical or understanding and solving complex issues.
Last year, Michigan Congresswomen Debbie Dingell (D-Ann Arbor) and Lisa McClain (R-Bruce), introduced a bill to allocate $200 million toward the mapping.
Jennifer Bohme is the CEO of the Great Lakes Observing center. She testified last year in Congress in support of the funding.
“This type of mapping would support protection of drinking water pipelines for major cities in the region, costal access for commercial fishing and anglers, and recreational use of the great lakes coast,” Boehme said. “This bill would support a drinkable, swimmable, fishable Great Lakes.”
Congress did not move the bill forward in 2024, but Boehme says lawmakers plan to reintroduce it this year.
