Speaker: Steve Galarneau

Anywhere in the country you are likely to encounter a car with a Great Lakes sticker. Wisconsin is blessed with being shaped on three sides with iconic waters – the mighty Mississippi River, Lake Superior and Lake Michigan. The Office of Great Waters (OGW) is responsible for coordinating activities in Wisconsin that affect the Great Lakes basin and Mississippi River. This includes technical support for state involvement in regional and international Great Lakes management policy, grants programs, and restoration and protection efforts. I’ll talk about our role in managing these waters of national significance and the ecological and economic impact to Wisconsin further dispelling the false dichotomy that it is economy or environment. Our Great Waters offer great opportunities.