EPA outlines second phase of Great Lakes restoration plan

Great Lakes from space (Credit: SeaWiFS Project, NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, and ORBIMAGE.)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently outlined the second phase of its project to revitalize the Great Lakes, the New York Times reported, as pollution and toxic algae blooms continue to afflict the region’s water.

The new plans include clean-up efforts at 10 rivers and harbors and increased targeting against the algae blooms present in three of the Great Lakes each summer. Other efforts will try to prepare the lakes for impending climate change, including new wetland construction guidelines.

Part of a four-year initiative by President Obama, the second phase of the project will continue through 2019 and will likely cost $1.6 billion — the initiative’s cost thus far, as split between more than 2,100 restoration projects.

Image: Satellite image of the Great Lakes from space (Credit: SeaWiFS Project, NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, and ORBIMAGE.)