Great Lakes Gateways Network Act of 2025
The Great Lakes Gateways Network Act of 2025 would authorize the Secretary of the Interior, with the Environmental Protection Agency, to provide technical and financial support to identify, conserve, restore, and interpret natural, recreational, historical, and cultural resources within the Great Lakes Watershed. The bill establishes a Great Lakes Gateways Network—comprising Gateways sites and related Watertrails—and directs development of a grants program to help state/local governments, communities, nonprofits, and private entities fund conservation, restoration, and interpretation efforts. It also sets aside annual appropriations for the program ($6 million per year from 2026 to 2031) and outlines cost-sharing requirements for grants (federal share up to 50%, with non-federal in-kind contributions allowed) and admin cost limits (no more than 10% of eligible project costs). In short, the bill aims to create a coordinated network of protected and interpretive locations around the Great Lakes, linked by water routes and other connections, with federal grants to support local projects that expand public access, education, and stewardship of Great Lakes resources.
Key Points
- 1Establishment of the Great Lakes Gateways Network, a coordinated network of sites and water routes to educate the public and expand access to Great Lakes resources.
- 2The Secretary of the Interior, in cooperation with the EPA Administrator and other partners, will provide technical and financial assistance to identify, conserve, restore, and interpret resources within the Great Lakes Watershed.
- 3The Network may include state/federal parks or refuges, historic seaports, archaeological/cultural/recreational sites, and other public access sites.
- 4Creation of the Great Lakes Gateways Grants Assistance Program to help fund conservation, restoration, and interpretation efforts, with criteria to determine eligibility and priority.
- 5Grants require non-Federal matching funds (up to 50% federal share) and limited administrative expenses (maximum 10% of eligible project costs). The bill authorizes $6 million annually for 2026–2031.