The Northeast-Midwest Institute updated its Manufacturing Tracker with the SPEED Act, a bipartisan permitting reform bill. Read more here:

NEMWI will host a virtual Great Lakes Primer for the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds on October 9, from 1 to 2 pm with speakers from the Great Lakes Commission and state SRF agencies. RSVP here: buff.ly/XJaHYjP

NEMWI and the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation will host a Great Lakes marine sanctuaries briefing on Oct 21, from 3–4 pm in Rayburn 2168. RSVP to Diane Dotson at [email protected].

Congress is heading toward a government shutdown tonight as funding talks stall. An OMB memo threatened possible permanent layoffs at federal agencies if no deal is reached. Read more here:

Roxie Gosfield, '27, is a junior at Dartmouth College majoring in government with a modified focus in economics. She is from New York City and is excited to how a bill becomes a law. She researches changes to federal manufacturing policy.

Rachael Stein, M.Env ‘26, is a master’s student at the University of Colorado Boulder, pursuing a Master of the Environment with a specialization in water policy. She is from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Rachael is working on tracking EPA actions and researching Great Lakes mapping.

The EPA’s designation of PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances has received backing from the Trump administration. The Justice Department announced it would uphold the Biden-era rule, despite efforts from the administration to scale back regulations elsewhere. Read more here:

Logan Rau, ‘25, is a recent graduate from the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, holding a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. She is from Bay City, Michigan, and works as an Environmental Policy Intern focused on economic development in Great Lakes shipping.

NEMWI has updated its Great Lakes Tracker with recent Congressional action. Two bipartisan bills were introduced in the Senate to reauthorize the USGS Great Lakes Science Center and establish the Great Lakes Mass Marking program. Read more here:

Jayden Lawrence, ‘27, attends North Central College and is pursuing a degree in Journalism and Media Communications. He is from Antioch, California, and enjoys researching Great Lakes news and policy decisions. He works as a Communications and Development Intern and researches non-profit funding.

The Northeast-Midwest Institute and the Great Lakes Fishery Commission co-hosted a live sea lamprey encounter on Capitol Hill last week. Nearly 80 people attended from 25 Congressional offices and committees. Read more about the event here: buff.ly/9K3q4XG

Christina Mina, ‘27, is a junior at the University of Texas at Dallas majoring in public policy. She is from Keller, Texas, and is excited to gain a better understanding of the policymaking process. She is an Environmental Policy Intern working on the Great Lakes Tracker.

The House Commerce, Justice, and Science bill was advanced in a committee vote last week. This bill would reduce NOAA’s funding to $5.8 billion, an increase over the $4.5 billion President Budget request. For more details, see NEMWI’s reports here:

Christina Uytingco, ‘25, is graduating in December from the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor with a bachelor’s degree in Earth Science, Environmental Science, and Spanish. She is from Ann Arbor and is currently working on monitoring aquatic invasive species in the Great Lakes.

The Northeast-Midwest Institute is pleased to announce its cohort of interns for the Fall, from various areas and schools across the United States. Throughout the next few days, we'll be highlighting each intern on our social media pages. Please join us in welcoming our incredible team!

Scientists at the University of Toledo are investigating whether aerosolized toxins from harmful algal blooms contribute to negative health effects. They are focused on air quality and long-term health as Toledo is within a region that is considered an asthma belt. Read more here:

U.S. Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick and Great Lakes Task Force Co-Chair Debbie Dingell recently introduced the PFAS National Drinking Water Standard Act, which modifies enforceable limits for PFAS under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Read more here: buff.ly/X4ou2sd

The bipartisan Digital Coast Reauthorization Act, which would reauthorize NOAA’s Digital Coast program that provides coastal communities data tools amid climate challenges, received a subcommittee hearing last week. Read more here:

The House Small Business Committee held a hearing on closing the rural internet gap. 25% of rural Americans lack high-speed internet. Witnesses say recent Trump administration changes tilt funding toward providers like Starlink. Read more here:

A circuit court lifted an injunction preventing the Trump EPA from rescinding $20 billion in funding for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. This program would expand clean energy access and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Read more in our tracker here:

On Thursday, Sept. 18th, from 1:00-2:00 pm, NEMWI and the Great Lakes Fishery Commission will host a sea lamprey event. Come to enjoy some refreshments and cookies and learn more about this invasive species! buff.ly/NTRkF4U

U.S. Representatives and Great Lakes Task Force members Shontel Brown and Emilia Sykes announced a sediment remediation effort under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, jump-starting the Gorge Dam's removal from the Cuyahoga River. Read more here: buff.ly/wSmyNx4

EPA Administrator Zeldin announced plans to revoke the 2009 endangerment finding, which outlines the negative effects of greenhouse gases. The move would limit the EPA’s ability to combat climate change and is expected to face opposition. Read more here:

NEMWI is excited to announce its new Great Lakes Statistics Hub! The hub contains statistics about the population, dimension, and the contributions of the Great Lakes to regional economic development. Explore the new GL Statistics Hub Here:

NEMWI updated its Manufacturing Legislative Tracker with 3 new bills: the Investing in America Act, the Made in America Manufacturing Finance Act, and the Promoting Resilient Supply Chains Act—promoting investment in manufacturing. View the tracker here:

Congress advanced several appropriations bills last week. Both chambers included $368 million for the GLRI, and the Senate pushed back on the proposed closure of EPA’s research office. Read more here: buff.ly/omD2W2W

Last week, the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment held a hearing to examine innovative tools in weather forecasting. Members and witnesses placed emphasis on the importance of expanding the capacity and effectiveness of our recycling system. Read more here: buff.ly/0VSeXiq

On July 16th, the House Subcommittee on Energy held a hearing to examine the role of innovative tools in weather forecasting. Members emphasized the importance of reliable forecasting and expressed concern over the proposed NOAA cuts. Read more here:

On July 15th, the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science held a hearing to discuss the FY26 appropriations bill. At the hearing, members were critical of the proposed NOAA cuts. Debate continues over appropriations levels. Read more here:

NEMWI added several new bills to its Great Lakes and Water Legislative Tracker, including the Military PFAS Transparency Act and H.R. 4256, a bill that would reauthorize the Digital Coast Act and enhance data accessibility. View the full tracker here:

Last week, the House and Senate Committees advanced several appropriations bills. The Senate CJS bill would fund NOAA at $6.1B, an increase from the Trump Admin’s request. Find the House and Senate bill reports here:

Last Thursday, NEMWI hosted a briefing on the Great Lakes Compact. Panelists Peter Johnson and David Naftzger, two key architects of the agreement, emphasized the important role of the Compact in water management and conservation. Read more here: buff.ly/XOqIJPF

This week, the House Appropriations Committee is set to conduct subcommittee markups for five appropriations bills, including the Interior-Environment bill, which encompasses funding for the Department of the Interior and the EPA. Read more here: buff.ly/rTyFy4p

Recently, the Trump Admin released congressional justification for the proposed $1.8B cut to NOAA’s budget. The Senate has yet to release its version of the Appropriations bill, while the House CJS bill proposes funding NOAA at $5.75B. Read more here: buff.ly/rTyFy4p

On Wednesday, July 9th, NEMWI held a briefing on shipping in the Great Lakes. Panelists from GLS, Lake Carriers’ Association, and Great Lakes Ports Association emphasized the importance of Great Lakes shipping in the regional economy. Read more here:

NEMWI is hosting a briefing on the Great Lakes Compact this Thursday from 12-1 in Cannon 156! Panelists include David Naftzger and Peter Johnson from the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers. RSVP for the briefing here:

NEMWI has introduced a new EPA Great Lakes Legislative Tracker for 2025. The tracker outlines legislation related directly to the EPA’s work as well as regulatory rollbacks, firings, and office closures from the Trump Admin. View the new tracker here: buff.ly/kpUPmAQ

On June 26th, Ohio Sea Grant, in collaboration with NOAA, hosted their 2025 harmful algae bloom (HAB) forecast webinar for Western Lake Erie. NOAA forecasts a mild to moderate bloom for 2025. Read more in our Weekly Update here:

On Thursday, July 17th, NEMWI will host a briefing on the Great Lakes Compact with representatives from GSGP. The briefing will include an overview of the Compact and water management and data collection in the Great Lakes. To RSVP, click the link here: buff.ly/7ARG2HD

Today (6/24)! Join GLC and partners for a webinar on the GSI Impact Hub, an interactive platform to help quantify and communicate the multiple benefits – or co-benefits – of green stormwater infrastructure. ow.ly/FrjJ50W8qMf #GreatLakes #greeninfrastructure #stormwater

Last week, the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries reviewed Rep. Dingell’s Sport Fish Restoration, Recreational Boating Safety, and Wildlife Restoration Act, which would reauthorize a key conservation fund. Read more in our Weekly Update here: buff.ly/0ut0wzJ

The House Committee on Small Business held a hearing last week examining the role of small businesses in the critical minerals sector. Members highlighted the importance of domestic production and economic vitality. Read more in our Weekly Update here: conta.cc/4eqxulT

Last week, the Great Lakes Mass Marking Act of 2025 was advanced out of Committee by unanimous consent. The bill would expand mass marking, an essential practice for fisheries across the Great Lakes. Read more in our Weekly Update here: conta.cc/4eqxulT

On Wednesday, July 10th, NEMWI will host an in-person briefing on Great Lakes Shipping from 9:45-10:45 in Cannon 156. The briefing will give an overview of shipping in the Great Lakes and discuss key policy issues. To RSVP, click the link here: buff.ly/EFzulIh

NEMWI has updated its Great Lakes Policy hub. On the updated page, you can find information on the Great Lakes Task Force, ongoing legislative priorities, and policy initiatives relevant to the Great Lakes region. Find the updated page here: buff.ly/Asnp59O

Last week. NEMWI Great Lakes Program Manager Alex Eastman was quoted in a Detroit News article outlining the impacts of implemented and proposed staffing and funding cuts to key NOAA Great Lakes Programs. Read the full article and see Alex Eastman’s insights here: buff.ly/i16F82w

Today, Reps. McDonald Rivet (D-MI) and Jack Bergman (R-MI) introduced the Military PFAS Transparency Act. The bill aims to increase transparency about remediation efforts at PFAS contaminated sites. Read the press release here: buff.ly/xWSIowo

This week, NEMWI released a report on brownfields and clean-up programs. The report outlines the benefits of continued investment in brownfield remediation and finds that 46% of these sites are in the northeast-midwest region. Read the full report here: buff.ly/PhsOJh7

The NEMWI has launched a hub for letters signed by members of the Northeast-Midwest and Great Lakes congressional delegations. The letters contain many relevant issues to the NEMW region, including invasive carp and EPA funding. Find the letters here: buff.ly/0rZ7e5U

NEMWI has launched a Critical Minerals Legislative Tracker. Critical Minerals are essential to economic growth and renewable energy, and there is opportunity for bipartisan policymaking in the area. View the new Critical Minerals Legislative Tracker here: buff.ly/ACvsovn