Being someone who has lived…

Being someone who has lived near the Great Lakes for my entire life I can say that they are special and need to be protected. I personally enjoy the water activities they provide; recreational fishing, boating, swimming, wildlife viewing, hunting, and providing drinking water. I have witnessed the drastic changes over the last 25 years in Lake Erie, most notably. From invasive species competing with natural species to water quality to habitat changes. Invasive species like the zebra muscle, round goby, and phragmites have changed the water quality, lead to habitat loss, and a reduction of natural species by competition. I feel strongly that the shoreline for the Great Lakes need to be protected from alterations. Far to often now land owners are clearing and grading right to the shoreline!! This causes significant habitat loss for other wildlife including fish. This leads too poor water quality by creating a “run off” runway into the lakes instead of the natural filters once present. A quick scan on google maps or boat ride along the shore of Lake Erie between Turkey Point and Nanticoke can show this shoreline clearing that has happened. All these things lead to issues with the Great Lakes. While only one comment, I hope that more protection along with the same current protection standards can be issued for the Great Lakes!!