UW System Board of Regents approves resolution recognizing UW‑Superior freshwater research

SUPERIOR, Wis.—The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents today unanimously approved a resolution of appreciation recognizing the outstanding research conducted by UW-Superior’s Lake Superior Research Institute (LSRI) and Great Waters Research Collaborative.

The Research Institute and the Collaborative, a partnership of LSRI and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration, seek to find innovative solutions to treat ballast water to benefit the shipping industry, prevent the spread of invasive species, and sustainably manage the natural resources of the Great Lakes and freshwater around the world.

“The freshwater research at UW-Superior is nationally and internationally recognized,” said UW System President Ray Cross. “It’s another reason why Wisconsin, led by the UW System, is becoming the Silicon Valley of Water.”

Since 2010, the Lake Superior Research Institute has annually received an average of $1.4 million in private, state, and federal funds to find innovative solutions to prevent ships from spreading invasive species through ballast water.

Earlier this year, UW-Superior purchased the only land-based ballast water technology testing facility in the Great Lakes region, located on Montreal Pier in Superior, to conduct large-scale testing of ballast water treatment systems. The new research facility has gained national attention from lawmakers, the public, and the scientific community as an important tool to protect the Great Lakes while supporting undergraduate research, job creation, recreational activities, and economic development.

“The role UW-Superior plays in studying ballast water is a terrific example of how our institutions meet the needs of the community, of business, and of Wisconsin,” said Andrew S. Petersen, president of the UW System Board of Regents.

Last month, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee passed the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2019, increasing funding from $300 million to $475 million per year for the next five year.

“We support the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, and we appreciate our federal partners who help fund our important research,” said UW-Superior Chancellor Renée Wachter. “

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.