Great Lakes Areas of Concern rivers, and oceans causing pollution and buildup of sediment. Nonpoint source pollution is said to be the most problematic and hardest to reverse of the types of pollution because it is so hard to regulate and pinpoint where it originates. Many experts agree that nonpoint source pollution is the biggest concern facing the Great Lakes. With the increase of urbanization, a toll has been taken on the lakes in these areas. Lakes that once had stable ecosystems with the appropriate amount of plant life are now full of massive amounts of plants and algae that have been fed by excess
Great Lakes Maritime Academy licensing on both the Great Lakes and the oceans along with an additional credential of First Class Great Lakes Pilot. The academy is located in Traverse City, Michigan, on Grand Traverse Bay in Lake Michigan. The Great Lakes Maritime Academy was established in 1969 to provide education and training to those wanting a career in the merchant marine. The academy trains mates (pilots), and maritime engineers. The summer of 2002 brought the arrival of the training ship, a former Navy vessel, now named the T/S "State of Michigan". The academy moved into the new facility late fall of 2003. Originally