Stakeholder Landscape: Great Lakes Coastal Governance
Policy Mapping Project | Mary Ahkin | 2026
The Great Lakes contain approximately 20% of the world’s surface freshwater, making them one of the most important freshwater ecosystems on Earth. Governance of the region’s coastal resources involves a complex network of international agreements, federal and state agencies, tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, and local communities.
Understanding how these stakeholders interact is essential for effective policy development, environmental stewardship, and sustainable economic activity across the region.
This project maps the key actors involved in Great Lakes coastal governance and identifies their roles within the broader policy system.
Governance Structure
Great Lakes governance operates across multiple levels of authority, from international agreements to local management.
The policy system can be understood through four primary levels.
International Governance
International agreements between the United States and Canada provide the foundation for many Great Lakes environmental policies.
Key actors include:
International Joint Commission
Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement
These institutions coordinate cross-border water management and environmental protection.
Federal Government
Federal agencies play a central role in environmental protection, fisheries management, and coastal resilience.
Major federal stakeholders include:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Programs such as the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative provide funding for habitat restoration and water quality projects.
State Governments
Each of the eight U.S. Great Lakes states maintains agencies responsible for coastal management, fisheries, and environmental protection.
Example stakeholders include:
Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
State governments manage coastal permitting, environmental regulations, and many restoration initiatives.
Tribal Governments
Indigenous nations are key partners in Great Lakes governance and maintain treaty-protected fishing and resource management rights.
Examples include:
Keweenaw Bay Indian Community
Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians
Tribal governments participate in fisheries management, environmental stewardship, and cultural resource protection.
Regional Organizations
Several regional organizations coordinate policy across the Great Lakes basin.
Examples include:
Great Lakes Commission
Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative
These organizations facilitate collaboration among states, cities, and policy leaders.
Nonprofit and Civil Society Organizations
Nonprofit organizations play a significant role in conservation, advocacy, and community engagement.
Examples include:
The Nature Conservancy
Surfrider Foundation
Alliance for the Great Lakes
These organizations often act as policy advocates, research partners, and community educators.
Local Governments
Municipal governments and county agencies manage many on-the-ground coastal issues including land use, zoning, and infrastructure.
Examples include:
harbor management
coastal zoning
shoreline infrastructure planning
tourism management
Local governments often serve as the front line of Great Lakes coastal governance.
Key Policy Challenges
Despite strong institutional structures, Great Lakes coastal governance faces several ongoing challenges:
jurisdictional fragmentation across agencies and governments
climate-driven shoreline erosion and water level fluctuations
competing interests between conservation and economic development
limited funding for coastal infrastructure and restoration
Effective governance requires coordination across stakeholders operating at multiple levels.
Implications for Policy
Strengthening collaboration between federal agencies, tribal governments, regional organizations, and local communities will be essential for addressing emerging challenges in the Great Lakes.
Future policy opportunities include:
improved regional coordination on coastal resilience
expanded funding for habitat restoration
stronger integration of Indigenous knowledge in governance
enhanced community engagement in coastal planning
Conclusion
Great Lakes coastal governance is characterized by a diverse network of institutions and stakeholders operating across multiple jurisdictions. Understanding this landscape is critical for developing effective policies that balance environmental stewardship, economic development, and community resilience.
Mary Ahkin
Sustainability communications and Great Lakes storytelling.
