This document discusses governance challenges related to addressing algal blooms in the Great Lakes from the perspective of the EPA's Great Lakes National Program Office. It summarizes the current state of science around algal blooms and phosphorus levels. It also outlines efforts through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to fund watershed projects, collaborate across agencies, and use science to inform restoration activities. Goals to reduce phosphorus loading have been set but the document argues for more realistic and understandable goals given yearly fluctuations in algal blooms.