Great lakes fishery commission (commission) will implement three priority projects that will: 1) develop and implement new sea lamprey control techniques; 2) design a new sea lamprey barrier, and…

The Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 awarded $2,152,513 to the Great Lakes Fishery Commission (GLFC) under the Geographic Programs - Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (CFDA 66.469) on September 1, 2025, with completion scheduled for December 31, 2030. The project delivers three primary products and services: (1) development and field testing of supplemental sea lamprey control techniques; (2) design and engineering plans for a new sea lamprey barrier on the Grand River in Grand Rapids, Michigan, located approximately 5,500 feet upstream of the existing dam, along with pre-construction biological assessments and monitoring work that will protect over 4,000 river miles from sea lamprey infestation; and (3) issuance of a competitive grant program to fund native fish species restoration proposals from qualified subrecipients.

The project generates specific deliverables including deployed tests of supplemental control technologies and final design and engineering plans. Through subawards to partner organizations, the GLFC implements activities focused on sea lamprey control and native fish restoration to support ecosystem health and water quality protection. The intended beneficiaries include residents, recreational users, and workers throughout the Great Lakes Basin, with particular focus on communities in Ann Arbor, Millersburg, East Lansing, and Grand Rapids, Michigan. These activities directly support the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative's overarching goal of restoring and maintaining the environmental integrity of the Great Lakes ecosystem in accordance with the Clean Water Act and the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.

Great lakes fishery commission (commission) will implement three priority projects that will: 1) develop and implement new sea lamprey control techniques; 2) design a new sea lamprey barrier, and conduct pre-barrier-construction work on the grand river in grand rapids, michigan (MI), which will protect more than 4,000 river miles from sea lamprey; and 3) aid in recovery of native fish species. Activities:activities include: 1) field testing suites of supplemental control tactics; 2) design of the sea lamprey barrier located approximately 5,500 feet upstream of the existing DAM and undertaking pre-construction biological assessments, monitoring, and other work leading to construction; and 3) issuance for a grant competition to support projects that will fund native species restoration proposals. Subrecipient:the activities, implemented through subawards, include sea lamprey control and restoring native fish.outcomes:deliverables include deployed tests of supplemental control technologies, final design, and engineering plans. These efforts are to help to protect water quality, promote healthy and abundant populations of native fish, and to support numerous species, all of which are essential for a healthy environment. Intended beneficiaries are all those who live, recreate, or work in the great lakes basin, particularly those in ANN arbor, MI, millersburg, MI, east lansing, MI and grand rapids, MI.