MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar and her progressive congressional allies urged President Joe Biden on Friday to stop construction on Enbridge Energy’s Line 3 replacement, even as the project nears completion and the options to stop it dwindle.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/09/ap-congresswomen-biden-stop-pipeline-minnesota/
CHICAGO (AP) — Rowers, kayakers and other users of the Chicago River are getting a real-time look at one measure of water quality in the system that weaves through downtown and several neighborhoods.
Chicago nonprofit Current in 2019 installed three sensors in the river’s three main branches to continuously estimate the amount of bacteria from human and other warm-blooded animals’ waste.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/09/ap-sensors-chicago-river-quality/
CHICAGO (AP) — A massive energy policy overhaul aimed at making Illinois a fully renewable-energy state by 2050 cleared the Senate early Wednesday despite objections from Gov. J.B. Pritzker and groups who want more environmental and consumer protections.
Negotiations have been ongoing for years on the deal that includes a generous bailout for nuclear plants, closing coal-fired plants, investments in wind and solar energy and ethics measures in the wake of a utility scandal.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/09/ap-illinois-senate-energy-deal-governor-falls-short/
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — High levels of toxic, widely used “forever chemicals” contaminate groundwater around at least six military sites in the Great Lakes region, according to U.S. Department of Defense records that an environmental group released Tuesday.
The Environmental Working Group said PFAS, an abbreviation for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, have oozed into the Great Lakes and pose a risk to people who eat fish tainted with the chemicals.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/09/ap-forever-chemicals-groundwater-military-bases/
ISLE ROYAL, Mich. (AP) — A wildfire on Michigan’s remote Isle Royale has been about 15% percent contained and crews have saved some historic cabins from encroaching flames, an official said Wednesday.
The fire began Aug. 10, apparently sparked by a lightning strike on the drought-stricken wilderness island, said Liz Valencia, a spokeswoman for Isle Royale National Park.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/08/ap-fire-michigan-isle-royale-15-percent-contained/
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Protesters descended upon the Minnesota State Capitol on Wednesday to rally against Enbridge Energy’s Line 3 oil pipeline as the project nears completion.
The rally, part of a series of events called Treaties over Tar Sands organized by Indigenous and environmental activists, called on Gov.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/08/ap-line-3-opponents-minnesota-capitol/
ISLE ROYAL, Mich. (AP) — A wildfire that’s burned about 200 acres on Michigan’s remote Isle Royale has prompted the National Park Service to close some trails and campground areas on the wilderness island.
The park service said Sunday on the Isle Royale National Park’s Facebook page that the closures were necessary “to maintain public health and safety” after the fire on the Lake Superior island’s east end expanded over the weekend amid lingering drought conditions.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/08/ap-trails-camps-closed-isle-royale-wildfire/
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — Scientists have traced the genetic makeup of lake trout, a feat that should boost efforts to rebuild populations of the prized fish in the Great Lakes and other North American waters where they’ve been hammered by invasive species, overfishing and pollution, officials said Tuesday.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/08/ap-genetic-mapping-restoration-lake-trout/
Without comment, the state’s highest court declined to take the case, issuing a one-page order that effectively affirmed a decision in June by the Minnesota Court of Appeals.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/08/ap-minnesota-supreme-court-line-3-opponents/
ELY, Minn. (AP) — Ely is typically teeming this time of year with visitors heading out on or returning from excursions into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. But about the only cars in the northeastern Minnesota town with canoes strapped to their tops this week are leaving.
Several fires inside and just outside the country’s most visited wilderness area led officials to close it last weekend, dealing a blow to those who spent months planning their trips there and to the outfitters and other businesses that depend on them.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/08/ap-minnesota-wildfires-disappoint-travelers-outfitters/
ALDEN, Mich. (AP) — A medical student from Illinois has swum across one of Michigan’s largest inland lakes — twice — to raise money and awareness about diabetes.
Marian Cardwell accomplished the 35-mile feat at Torch Lake in Antrim County after dropping a plan to swim across Lake Michigan from Chicago to Grand Haven, the Traverse City Record-Eagle reported.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/08/ap-illinois-woman-swims-michigan-torch-lake-twice/
ROSEVILLE, Mich. (AP) — A new program in Macomb County aims to reduce the amount of trash that reaches Lake St. Clair from a storm drain.
A steel bulkhead and a boom have been installed at the outlet of the sewer to capture floating debris before it enters the lake, the Macomb County Public Works office said.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/08/ap-program-storm-drain-debris-lake-st-clair/
ISABELLA, Minn. (AP) — A wildfire in the Superior National Forest of northeastern Minnesota that crews have been fighting since the weekend has grown to 6 1/4 square miles (16 square kilometers), but U.S. Forest Service officials said Thursday morning that it grew little overnight.
The Forest Service said lightning caused the fire near Greenwood Lake, about 25 miles southwest of Isabella, which was first spotted Sunday.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/08/ap-forest-service-lightning-minnesota-wildfire/
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — U.S. officials launched a review Thursday of climate damage caused by coal mining on public lands as the Biden administration expands its scrutiny of government fossil fuel sales that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.
The review also will consider if companies are paying fair value for coal extracted from public reserves in Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, Utah and other states.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/08/ap-climate-impact-coal-sales-us-lands/
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota pollution control and natural resources officials on Wednesday released a $700 million plan to improve the drinking water for 14 Twin Cities communities whose groundwater was contaminated due to decades-long chemical disposal by 3M Co.
The long-term plan aims to build or improve six water treatment plants and treat 33 municipal wells while connecting nearly 300 homes to municipal water systems and providing home filtration systems to residents with private wells in the meantime.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/08/ap-minnesota-pfas-water-infrastructure-3m-chemicals/
CHESTERTON, Ind. (AP) — The National Park Service wants to charge entrance fees for the first time at the Indiana Dunes National Park, citing a dramatic increase in visitors in recent years and the need for more revenue for park maintenance.
The federal agency will hold an online public meeting on the proposed fees via Zoom on Wednesday, from 6 p.m.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/08/ap-indiana-dunes-national-park-entrance-fees/
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Days of heavy rain this month overwhelmed Milwaukee’s sewer system, sending millions of gallons of untreated wastewater into area rivers and Lake Michigan.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that storms on Aug. 6 triggered the overflow and more rain on Aug. 7 and Aug. 8 prolonged the flow.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/08/ap-sewer-overflow-wastewater-lake-michigan/
Figures released by the U.S. Census Bureau showed some of Michigan’s largest percentage population losses were in the state’s Upper Peninsula, while three of the state’s four most populous counties gained people.
The U.P. for years has struggled through job losses tied to downturns in the manufacturing and mining industries.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/08/ap-census-population-drops-michigan-upper-peninsula/
ROGERS CITY, Mich. (AP) — A memorial Mass has been held in northern Michigan for the last remaining survivor of a Lake Michigan shipwreck that killed 33 people in 1958.
Frank Mays was one of two people who survived the sinking of the Carl D. Bradley, a freighter that was on its way to Rogers City, Michigan, to pick up a load of stone before the shipping season ended.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/08/ap-service-last-survivor-lake-michigan-shipwreck/
Scientists have a new idea for how Earth got its oxygen: It’s because the planet slowed down and days got longer.
A study published Monday proposes and puts to the test the theory that longer, continuous daylight kick-started weird bacteria into producing lots of oxygen, making most of life as we know it possible.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/08/ap-theory-earth-days-oxygen-growth/
LAKE ORION, Mich. (AP) — State officials are investigating the deaths of hundreds of adult common carp at an Oakland County lake.
Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources said between 250 and 500 of the fish have been found dead since mid-July in Lake Orion, northwest of Detroit. Area residents reported the dead fish to the state agency.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/08/ap-state-investigating-common-carp-deaths-michigan/
GRAND HAVEN, Mich. (AP) — Surfers, kite boarders and water boarders would be exempt from a proposed Michigan policy that would bar people from swimming at state beaches when waves are more than 8 feet high.
The Department of Natural Resources wants to reduce the risk of drowning in the Great Lakes.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/08/ap-michigan-exceptions-weather-swim-ban/
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Strong thunderstorms caused widespread damage across Wisconsin, left tens of thousands without power and triggered tornado warnings.
The severe weather stretched from the Mississippi River to Lake Michigan and began Wednesday evening in northwestern Wisconsin. By 2 a.m. Thursday, the numerous tornado warnings around the state had expired.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/07/ap-severe-weather-wisconsin-widespread-damage/
WASHINGTON (AP) — In a major step against climate change, President Joe Biden is proposing a return to aggressive Obama-era vehicle mileage standards over five years, according to industry and government officials briefed on the plan. He’s then aiming for even tougher anti-pollution rules after that to forcefully reduce greenhouse gas emissions and nudge 40% of U.S.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/07/ap-biden-mileage-rule-obama-climate-goal/
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Two companies seeking to build thousands of miles of pipeline across the Midwest are promising the effort will aid rather than hinder the fight against climate change, though some environmental groups remain skeptical.
The pipelines would stretch from North Dakota to Illinois, potentially transforming the Corn Belt into one of the world’s largest corridors for a technology called carbon capture and storage.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/07/ap-carbon-capture-pipelines-offer-climate-aid-activists-wary/
ST. IGNACE, Mich. (AP) — Enbridge said Monday it had retrieved an anchor that broke away from a maintenance vessel while on the bottom of the Straits of Mackinac.
The mishap occurred last Wednesday as a contractor for the pipeline company was doing seasonal work on the underwater section of Line 5, an oil line that runs between Superior, Wisconsin, and Sarnia, Ontario.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/07/ap-enbridge-anchor-michigan-straits-mackinac/
ROCKTON, Ill. (AP) — Officials have found elevated levels of harmful metals in groundwater monitoring wells at a Rockton Superfund toxic waste site.
But the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency noted that the substances were not found in the municipal water system for the Village of Rockton. Its water was tested June 21.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/07/ap-elevated-metal-levels-rockton-illinois/
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The proposed PolyMet copper-nickel mine in northern Minnesota encountered a setback Monday when the state Court of Appeals ordered regulators to revisit a critical air emissions permit given to the project.
The court ruled that the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency hadn’t sufficiently justified granting the permit after opponents raised allegations that PolyMet was planning a much larger mine.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/07/ap-minnesota-court-polymet-air-permit-case-agency/
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — An invasive weed that can choke out native plants and fish habitat has been found in one of Minnesota’s largest and most popular walleye lakes, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said Monday.
The DNR has confirmed the discovery of starry stonewort in Leech Lake, located in northwestern Minnesota.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/07/ap-invasive-weed-starry-stonewort-leech-lake/
CHESTERTON, Ind. (AP) — Officials at Indiana Dunes National Park want to hear from visitors as they develop a strategy to add services at the park, ranging from food or beverage sales to organized tours.
Two open houses are set for Thursday and Friday at the national park in northwestern Indiana.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/07/ap-indiana-dunes-visitors-ideas-new-services/
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — Minnesota state Sen. Foung Hawj was never a fan of the “Asian carp” label commonly applied to four imported fish species that are wreaking havoc in the U.S. heartland, infesting numerous rivers and bearing down on the Great Lakes.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/07/ap-worries-racism-waterways-rename-fish-invasive-asian-carp/
DETROIT (AP) — A federal judge listened Tuesday to Flint residents who were victims of the city’s lead-contaminated water, a step in determining whether she should sign off on a $641 million deal that would settle claims against the state of Michigan.
More than a dozen people without lawyers signed up to speak, all in opposition.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/07/ap-critics-urge-rejection-flint-settlement-deal/
CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois prosecutors on Friday sued the owner of a chemical plant where a fire last month sent dark smoke and ash into the air for days and prompted evacuations, saying the company should be held accountable for air and water pollution and hazards that still exist.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/07/ap-illinois-sues-owner-plant-fire-evacuations/
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — Wolf pups have been spotted again on Isle Royale, a hopeful sign in the effort to rebuild the predator species’ population at the U.S. national park, scientists said Monday.
It’s unknown how many gray wolves roam the island chain in northwestern Lake Superior.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/07/ap-scientists-births-isle-royale-wolves/
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — Shoreline cities and towns in the Great Lakes region will be spending heavily in coming years to fix public infrastructure damaged by recent flooding and erosion, with estimated costs approaching $2 billion, officials said Thursday.
Communities already have poured about $878 million into repairs over the last two years, according to the results of a survey by the Great Lakes and St.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/07/ap-report-great-lakes-region-flood-repairs/
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin regulators can impose operating conditions on factory farms and consider high-capacity wells’ cumulative environmental impacts when deciding whether to grant permits, the state Supreme Court ruled Thursday.
The decisions mark a major win for conservationists and clarify that the Department of Natural Resources has broad authority to protect Wisconsin’s waters.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/07/ap-dnr-farm-conditions-well-impact/
TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — Farmers in 10 more northern Ohio counties will be eligible to receive financial incentives for using new agriculture practices that improve water quality in Lake Erie, Gov. Mike DeWine said Tuesday.
That brings the number of counties eligible up to 24 through the H2Ohio water quality initiative’s farmer incentive program.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/07/ap-ohio-farmer-incentive-program-lake-erie/
HOMEWOOD, Ill. (AP) — More drownings have been reported in the Great Lakes so far in 2021 than by this time last year, prompting officials to urge swimmers to practice water safety measures.
As of July 2, there were 32 drownings in the Great Lakes, compared to 25 as of July 4, 2020, according to data collected by the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/07/ap-nonprofit-drownings-great-lakes-jumps-2021/
DETROIT (AP) — Two water pumping stations in Detroit experienced power-related problems but did not fail during a heavy rainstorm last week that left basements, streets and even freeways flooded, the head of a regional water and wastewater agency said Friday.
Great Lakes Water Authority Chief Executive Sue McCormick told reporters that due to an electrical service issue only three of six pumps at one station were able to be brought online, while a power outage at a second station slowed efforts to turn three of its pumps on as the rain poured.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/07/ap-detroit-water-authority-pumping-stations-storm/
CHICAGO (AP) — While most of Chicago’s cultural institutions have reopened their doors, the Adler Planetarium won’t do so fully until next year.
The planetarium along Lake Michigan closed in March 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Planetarium officials said in a letter posted on the website earlier this month that they’ll start offering some events in July including weekend screenings of sky shows, but due to financial difficulties the full reopening will be in March 2022.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/06/ap-chicago-adler-planetarium-reopen-2022/
CASCADE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — Hundreds of homes that use well water near the Grand Rapids-area airport could be connected to a public water source by 2023 after the state set aside $5 million for the project, officials said.
The homes in Cascade Township have wells in an area of polluted groundwater.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/06/ap-homes-pfas-wells-michigan-airport-water/
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The owner of an abandoned power plant has agreed to clean up toxic waste dumped into the flood plain of the Vermilion River, boosting efforts to protest Illinois’ lone national scenic river.
Under a deal brokered by the Illinois attorney general’s office, Texas-based Vistra on Monday agreed to drain pits of water-soaked coal ash along the Middle Fork Vermilion River, about 120 miles (193.12 kilometers)south of Chicago.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/06/ap-closed-power-plant-toxic-waste-illinois-river/
WASHINGTON (AP) — Utah Rep. John Curtis says he’s tired of hearing that Republicans — his party colleagues — don’t care about climate change or slowing global warming.
A former Provo mayor who has served in Congress since 2017, Curtis says Republicans can push for serious climate solutions while holding fast to conservative values.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/06/ap-house-gop-group-climate-change/
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said Wednesday it would conduct an extensive review of Enbridge Energy’s plan to build an oil pipeline tunnel beneath a Great Lakes channel in Michigan, which could significantly delay the project.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/06/ap-army-corps-extensive-review-line-5-tunnel/
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Federal officials have designated a huge swath of Wisconsin’s Lake Michigan coastline as a National Marine Sanctuary to protect historic shipwrecks in the area, Gov. Tony Evers’ office announced Tuesday.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will publish regulations designating 962 square miles from Kewaunee County south to Ozaukee County as a sanctuary, Evers’ office said.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/06/ap-noaa-wisconsin-coastline-national-marine-sanctuary-designated/
A company hired to help extinguish a fire that gutted a northern Illinois chemical plant this week used foam containing toxic compounds that have tainted surface waters and groundwater across the U.S., officials said Thursday.
The private contractor sprayed the foam for about three hours Tuesday at the Chemtool Inc.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/06/ap-foam-pfas-illinois-plant-fire/
CHICAGO (AP) — A Chicago bus driver looking for a way to relieve stress during the coronavirus pandemic jumped into Lake Michigan for a 365th straight day on Saturday.
Dan O’Conor said he started jumping into the lake at Montrose Harbor on the city’s North Side last year to relieve stress.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/06/ap-chicago-man-jumps-into-lake-michigan-for-365th-straight-day/
CHICAGO (AP) — A Chicago bus driver looking for a way to relieve stress during the coronavirus pandemic jumped into Lake Michigan for a 365th straight day on Saturday.
Dan O’Conor said he started jumping into the lake at Montrose Harbor on the city’s North Side last year to relieve stress.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/06/ap-chicago-man-jumps-into-lake-michigan-for-365th-straight-day/
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Court of Appeals on Monday affirmed state regulators’ key approvals of Enbridge Energy’s Line 3 oil pipeline replacement project, in a dispute that drew over 1,000 protesters to northern Minnesota last week.
A three-judge panel ruled 2-1 that the state’s independent Public Utilities Commission correctly granted Enbridge the certificate of need and route permit that the Canadian-based company needed to begin construction on the 337-mile (542-kilometer) Minnesota segment of a larger project to replace a 1960s-era crude oil pipeline that has deteriorated and can run at only half capacity.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/06/ap-minnesota-court-approves-line-3-oil-pipeline/
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — The Keystone XL is dead after a 12-year attempt to build the oil pipeline, yet the fight over Canadian crude rages on as emboldened environmentalists target other projects and pressure President Joe Biden to intervene — all while oil imports from the north keep rising.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/06/ap-fight-canadian-oil-pipelines/
