KEWEENAW COUNTY – Changes to lake levels and the climate are forcing coastal communities in Michigan to reevaluate how they manage land use, new development and infrastructure. A free webinar focused on the Western Upper Peninsula aims to equip local leaders to respond.

The “Coastal Resiliency” workshop for the Western Upper Peninsula, targeted to Keweenaw County, will be held Thursday, August 20, 6 to 8 p.m.

Registration for the free webinar is available online at www.resilientmichigan.org/upwebinars or by calling the Land Information Access Association (LIAA) at 231-929-3696 and leaving a message. The webinars will help participants understand coastal dynamics, Great Lake water levels, high-risk areas, management options, community vulnerability assessments, and shoreline regulation and the Public Trust. Funding and support options for local communities through Michigan’s Coastal Management Program will also be covered, and there will be time in each workshop for questions from participants.

This statewide project is engaging with communities on all of Michigan’s Great Lakes shorelines. Project partners include the nonprofit Land Information Access Association (LIAA), Michigan Technological University, the University of Michigan, and the Michigan Coastal Management Program. The workshops are funded in part by the Michigan Coastal Management Program, Department of Natural Resources, Office of the Great Lakes, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce.