U.S. Coast Guard Great Lakes Center of Expertise Opens in Michigan

The U.S. Coast Guard Great Lakes Center of Expertise in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan officially opened in August. Senator Gary Peters joined Lake Superior State University President Dr. Rodney S. Hanley, U.S. Coast Guard Assistant Commandant for Response Policy Rear Admiral Jo-Ann Burdian and Sault Ste. Marie Mayor Don Gerrie to cut the ribbon for the new center.

Located in the Lake Superior State University’s Richard & Theresa Barch Center for Freshwater Research and Education, the new center will examine the impacts of oil spills in freshwater environments and help develop effective responses, which will be critical in protecting the Great Lakes.

“We know that an oil spill in the Great Lakes, particularly in the Straits of Mackinac, would be catastrophic not only for Michigan but the entire country. It’s absolutely critical that we do everything in our power to protect them and improve our preparedness against a potential spill,” Peters said.