The newly established National Center of Expertise of the U.S. Coast Guard will analyze the effects of oil spills in freshwater lakes and develop new techniques for clean up response. The center will also provide LSSU students with more opportunities for hands-on learning and funding for the university to underwrite multiple research positions.
In October, Lake Superior State University (LSSU) and the U.S. Coast Guard entered a partnership that will establish a National Center of Expertise (NCOE) at LSSU which will focus on researching oil spills in the Great Lakes and developing response systems. The arrangement also brings in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory in Ann Arbor as a research partner. The arrangement is part of an initiative set forth by Senator Gary Peters, which began in 2018 and secured a total of $4.5 million in federal funding ($1.5 million in 2019 and $3 million in 2020) after pushing to get legislation passed to establish the Great Lakes NCOE in 2018.
A news release from LSSU explains in detail what the NCOE will aim to accomplish, which includes multiple strategies to prepare for oil spills on the Great Lakes. The four step approach begins with research and analysis of previous oil spills in the Great Lakes and identifying where those responses failed. Second, the NCOE will develop and test new strategies for mitigating spills and containment techniques. Third, the NCOE will train first responders on local, state, and federal levels on the new strategies developed. Finally, the NCOE will work with the private sector to standardize freshwater oil spill response training.
Dr. Ashley Moerke, director of the Center for Freshwater Research and Education at LSSU, responded to the news, saying, "We are thrilled that LSSU's new Center for Freshwater Research and Education has been selected to host the Great Lakes NCOE. It will play an important role in building research capacity and response preparedness in a unique region of the Great Lakes with critical infrastructure and ecological systems, and we are looking forward to supporting this important initiative."
Senator Peters joined LSSU President Dr. Rodney S. Hanley in a Zoom press conference on October 19 to make the announcement. Senator Peters talked about the economic and cultural importance of the Great Lakes, emphasizing the need to be prepared in the event of a major oil spill: "I worked to establish the Center of Expertise to better prepare against any potential oil spill in freshwater environments, and I'm pleased that it will be based in Michigan. The Center of Expertise will lead the way on the research and testing of freshwater oil spill response technology and I will continue working to ensure we have the resources to help keep the Great Lakes safe from disaster."
President Hanley spoke about the reasons that LSSU is a logical choice for establishing the NCOE headquarters and how the school will benefit. "Since we're situated by three Great Lakes, ecological stewardship is one of our core values. Also, environmental sustainability, community partnerships, and governmental alliances are touchstones of our strategic plan. Plus, this opportunity will provide important real-world, hands-on teaching and learning for students, faculty, and staff in our School of Natural Resources and Environment and our School of Engineering and Technology,” said Hanley.
Coast Guard staff will also be placed at the NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, located in Ann Arbor, which NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad, Ph.D. said will "enhance collaboration and foster real progress for a more prepared Great Lakes region."
Admiral Karl Schultz, Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, said, "The Coast Guard is proud to partner with Lake Superior State University and NOAA's Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory to further research into detecting and responding to oil releases in the Great Lakes, and protecting the largest fresh surface water system in the world."
The research being done to prepare for future oil spills will also allow for permanent paid research positions. President Hanley explained, "[...]This venture underwrites several research positions at our cutting-edge $14 million Richard and Theresa Barch Center for Freshwater Research and Education facility, scheduled to open toward the end of this year. And this collaboration furthers the longstanding relationship that LSSU, founded on the site of a former military base, has with the area Coast Guard. Most of all, this effort not only leverages but also expands part of LSSU's mission to enhance the quality of life of the Great Lakes region. We thank Senator Peters for his leadership and work to pass the Center of Expertise into law."