By IUGLS
May 4, 2011
An Ohio native and former communications manager for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources is now involved with the International Upper Great Lakes Study. Patricia Madigan, of Columbus, Ohio, has been appointed to the Public Interest Advisory Group, or PIAG, by the International Joint Commission. In the role, she will work with U.S. and Canadian members of the Study Board to finalize reports on fluctuating Great Lakes water levels that include methods for adapting the Lake Superior outflow regulation plan to the impacts of climate change.
PIAG members also are helping seek comment from the public this summer before Study reports are submitted to the IJC.
Madigan says she feels a strong connection to the Great Lakes.
“I grew up just east of Cleveland, three blocks from Lake Erie,” she noted.
PIAG includes about 20 members, representing a wide range of interests including shoreline property owners, boaters, anglers, governments, Native Americans, First Nations and environmental and shipping organizations.
Madigan replaces Kate Bartter, also of Ohio, on the PIAG group. Madigan previously worked with Bartter while Madigan was Deputy Director of Communications with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency from 1999-2006.
Madigan also was involved with the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration, created in 2004 at the urging of U.S. governors and congressional delegations to develop a national restoration and protection action plan for the Great Lakes. The collaboration has resulted in the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, launched with $475 million in 2010.
“I miss being involved in policy work,” Madigan said of her reasons for joining PIAG. “I worked closely with a lot of people who are involved in Great Lakes issues on the Great Lakes collaboration, and I have enormous respect for them.”
Since retiring from Ohio government in 2007, Madigan has established a freelance writing and consulting firm called Madigan Ink, and has been teaching English as an adjunct instructor at Columbus State Community College. Madigan holds a Ph.D. in English from The Ohio State University.