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Office of the Great Lakes

On Earth Day 2004, Governor Doyle directed the Department of Natural Resources to establish an Office of the Great Lakes. Created through staff reallocation to this priority area, this Office is charged with implementing a comprehensive program to protect the lakes, identify problems and solutions, and serve as a contact point for the Great Lakes community.

Wisconsin´s Priority Great Lakes Issues


The Office of the Great Lakes is particularly focused on the restoration and protection priorities identified by the Council of Great Lakes Governors [exit DNR]. Governor Walker serves on the board of directors. These priorities are:


Learn more about trap net safety on the Great Lakes and new requirements when trolling.

  • manage water use and transfers of water out of the Great Lakes Basin;
  • prevent exotic species introductions through ballast water exchange;
  • clean–up contaminated sediment sites;
  • control pollution from nonpoint source impacts like loss of habitat or nutrient enrichment–induced algae problems;
  • promote beach safety;
  • restore and protect habitat and species;
  • eliminate the introduction of persistent bioaccumulative toxins;
  • adopt sustainable use development practices;
  • improve methods for indicators and information

For more information on the Governor´s Great Lakes Priorities and how everyone can help address these important issues, see Wisconsin´s Great Lakes Strategy Brochure [PDF 638KB]. To read a letter from the Council of Great Lakes Governors which outlines their priorities for the restoration and protection of the Great Lakes see Governors Great Lakes Restoration Letter [exit DNR].

Lakeshore scene

Office of the Great Lakes Staff:


  • support the DNR role in the Great Lakes Commission, the Council of Great Lakes Governors, and the International Joint Commission;
  • coordinate with state and federal agency Great Lakes programs such as the Dept. of Administration Coastal Zone Management, University of Wisconsin Sea Grant, and University of Wisconsin Extension, and US Geological Survey;
  • work with non-governmental organizations to protect the Great Lakes;
  • develop Lake Michigan and Lake Superior restoration and protection action agendas;
  • manage Great Lakes project funding

Office of the Great Lakes Contacts