Virus upsets summer plans for Isle Royale park

HOUGHTON, Mich. (AP) — Wolves and moose won’t notice much human company at Isle Royale National Park.

The remote island in Lake Superior said it’s delaying the summer opening because of coronavirus restrictions. Camping might become available by late June or July but there will be no ferry service.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/05/ap-isle-royale-covid-19/

The Associated Press

Indiana Dunes starts beach parking information line

PORTER, Ind. (AP) — Indiana Dunes National Park has started an information line to help visitors find an open beach with available parking amid severe shoreline erosion along Lake Michigan and the need for social distancing.

Beginning Saturday morning, visitors can call 219-395-1003 to hear recorded information on available parking at Indiana Dunes National Park beaches and nearby Indiana Dunes State Park.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/05/ap-indiana-dunes-covid-19-beach-parking/

The Associated Press

Is America prepared to handle natural disasters during the COVID-19 pandemic?

By Ari Kelo, theRising

This story originally appeared in theRising and is republished here as part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story.

From lengthened hurricane seasons to deadly bushfires, the natural disasters symptomatic of climate change are becoming more and more pronounced each year.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/05/america-prepared-natural-disasters-covid-19-coronavirus/

theRising

Virus threat creates unease in Michigan summer tourism haven

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — Clare Nagrant earns her living from tourism, so she’s taken a beating during the coronavirus-imposed shutdown. A few months ago, she was juggling four jobs. Now she’s down to one part-time gig with a distillery that stayed open by adding hand sanitizer to its product line.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/05/ap-coronavirus-covid-19-michigan-traverse-city-tourism/

The Associated Press

State Struggle: Budget shortfalls stall Asian carp plan, put cleanups at risk

With the federal government writing trillion-dollar checks to fight COVID-19, support collapsing businesses and feed cash into the economy via stimulus checks, Great Lakes legislators and advocacy groups are seizing on the opportunity to secure federal funding while the money still flows.

Recently the senate committee that oversees water infrastructure projects unanimously approved legislation authorizing $18 billion for projects nationally.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/05/state-federal-budget-shortfalls-asian-carp-toxic-cleanups/

Gary Wilson

May 15, 2020

This week: Freshwater Future Applauds New Ohio Bills to Protect Water Safety and Affordability + Covid-19 Stimulus Package Should Support Green Water Infrastructure + 3D Mapping of Plastic Pollution in Lake Erie + Sewage Could Help Track Coronavirus + Lake Michigan/Huron Breaks Water Level Record Four Months Running

Freshwater Future Applauds New Ohio Bills to Protect Water Safety and Affordability

Partnering with advocates from across the region, Freshwater Future has been working to ensure water at residents’ taps is free from lead and is affordable.  This week, an Ohio bill was introduced to move those issues forward. Ohio Representative Erica Crawley introduced legislation that will prevent water shut offs and require development of water affordability programs by utilities.


Covid-19 Stimulus Package Should Support Green Water Infrastructure

As the Covid-19 stimulus package includes funds for green water infrastructure, Philadelphia demonstrates leverage of these investments to support family health and community economy is possible. Emerging from old traditions, the stimulus package should support decentralized practices. Freshwater Future believes to move from the Covid-19 crisis more equitably, we need future stimulus packages to include investments in our urban and rural water infrastructure.


3D Mapping of Plastic Pollution in Lake Erie

Some plastic floats and some sinks.  According to a recent study by students at Rochester Institute of Technology that looked at how plastic moves, it’s estimated that there is 380 tons of plastic at the bottom of Lake Erie.  An expansion of the study to Lake Ontario will consider how plastics move from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario over Niagara Falls.


Sewage Could Help Track Coronavirus 

Toledo is participating in a research project to determine if sewage can help track the coronavirus.  Studies show that because of how the virus moves through the human body, it can be found in wastewater. The analysis of weekly samples from water treatment plants will hopefully give insight on where and when the next outbreak occurs to better prepare the community.


Lake Michigan and Huron Break Water Level Record Four Months Running 

Lakes Michigan and Huron (considered one connected lake) set a new water level record for the fourth month in a row and is currently three feet higher than the average long-term level. The Army Corps of Engineers says the lake keeps getting deeper.

Original Article

Blog – Freshwater Future

Blog – Freshwater Future

https://freshwaterfuture.org/uncategorized/freshwater-weekly-may-18-2020-2/

Alexis Smith

Despite virus, Michigan groups aim to keep summer fireworks tradition

ALPENA, Mich. (AP) — Some small Michigan communities aren’t giving up on summer traditions despite the coronavirus.

The Alpena Municipal Council is giving people time to raise money for a July 4 fireworks show along Lake Huron in the northern Lower Peninsula.

Lafarge North America, which operates a cement plant in Alpena, will match donations up to $12,000, the Alpena News reported.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/05/ap-coronavirus-alpena-michigan-fireworks/

The Associated Press

Sewage Check: Great Lakes researchers look to wastewater for data on COVID-19

The virus can be detected in infected people’s feces – sometimes even before they begin exhibiting symptoms.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/05/sewage-check-researchers-look-to-wastewater-for-data-on-covid-19/

Sharon Oosthoek

Four environmental issues in the Pittsburgh region to keep your eyes on in the age of COVID-19

By Oliver Morrison, PublicSource, through the Institute for Nonprofit News network

COVID-19 cost jobs, closed businesses and limited travel. But the economic ruin has also led to record low levels of pollution and huge reductions in climate change emissions globally.

Some of the changes, such as remote work, could have lasting benefits for the environment, even after the economy restarts.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/05/coronavirus-covid-19-pennsylvania-climate-change-pollution-oil-waste/

PublicSource

For Immediate Release

May 15, 2020

 

Media Contact:

Kristy Meyer, Associate Director

Freshwater Future

kristy@freshwaterfuture.org

614-638-8948

 

Freshwater Future Organization, Others Applaud Introduction of Water Affordability Legislation in Ohio

Columbus, OH – On Thursday May 15, 2020, Representative Erica Crawley (D-Columbus) introduced state legislation that will ensure clean, safe, affordable water for everyone in Ohio. 

Nationwide, more than a third of all households will not be able to pay their water bill by the end of 2022 according to a report out of Michigan State University. In Ohio, a report on water and sewer affordability found that in nearly 80 percent of Ohio communities, a month of basic water and sewer service requires more than eight hours of labor at minimum wage. The report also  found that water costs are disproportionately felt in communities of color which have been redlined and disinvested in for decades along with rural communities that do not have enough people to pay for maintaining and upgrading the water infrastructure. 

“Freshwater Future applauds Representative Crawley for her leadership to ensure everyone has access to clean, safe, and affordable water,” said Kristy Meyer, Associate Director at Freshwater Future. “As water rates and economic inequality rise, many Ohioans are losing access to water, a basic human need. Hard decisions are being made between rent, food, medical care, electricity and water – the necessities for life. Without clean, safe water flowing into homes, people cannot wash their hands and keep good hygiene, possibly leading to public health issues that also impact our economy, kids being bullied at school, and families being torn apart.” 

In 2016, more than 15 million Americans, or 1 out of every 20 households, had their water shutoff due to inability to pay their water bill. Thousands across the state last year had to make the hard decision between putting food on the table and paying their water bill. COVID-19 has further illuminated how important it is to have access to running water in homes. When Ohioans do not have access to water in their homes, they cannot follow the CDC’s number one recommendation for preventing the spread of COVID-19 – washing hands.  

The legislation specifically:

  • Bans water shutoffs for nonpayment;
  • Requires public water utilities to create a water affordability program based on available income of the household;
  • Requires public water utilities to develop an emergency water assistance program for people who cannot afford to pay 

  • their water bill when they fall on hard times; and
  • Addresses past debt with the ability for forgiveness of debt.

### 

About Freshwater Future: Freshwater Future builds a strong and effective environmental community working to protect and restore the waters of the Great Lakes by involving residents in civic decision-making. Learn more at freshwaterfuture.org

Original Article

Blog – Freshwater Future

Blog – Freshwater Future

https://freshwaterfuture.org/uncategorized/11578/

Alexis Smith

COVID-19 Next Steps: Great Lakes outdoor recreation begins move toward normalcy

After nearly two months of reduced access, various levels of restrictions and outright closures, thousands of national, state, provincial and municipal parks, boating ramps, wildlife areas and other outdoor recreation areas are making their return from COVID-19.

Officials are hoping the move will help push life closer to normal for millions of people.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/05/coronavirus-covid-19-great-lakes-outdoor-recreation-reopening/

James Proffitt

Locked down along with NYC, upstate areas prepare to reopen

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — As New York City confirms more than 1,000 new COVID-19 cases a day, bucolic Essex County four hours north tallied its 32nd case since the outbreak. But the mountainous corner of upstate New York is under the same statewide lockdown rules as the pandemic-besieged city.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/05/ap-coronavirus-new-york-city-upstate-areas-reopen/

The Associated Press

In Minnesota, an innovative virtual approach to home energy inspections

By Frank Jossi, Energy News Network, through the Institute for Nonprofit News network

Armed with her cellphone, Ellen Biales spent an hour last month transmitting video of her St. Paul home to an energy expert who asked questions and dispensed advice.

Biales was among the first Minnesotans to receive a virtual Home Energy Squad visit from the Center for Energy and Environment.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/05/minnesota-covid-19-coronavirus-home-energy-inspections/

Energy News Network

Minnesotans urged to fish close to home to slow COVID-19

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesotans should fish close to home to help curb the coronavirus pandemic when the walleye season opens this weekend, avoiding overnight stays and driving no further than they can go on one tank of gas, Department of Natural Resources officials said Wednesday.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/05/ap-minnesota-fish-business-covid-19-coronavirus/

The Associated Press

May 1, 2020

This week: The Hell of Not Having Running Water During a Pandemic + Lawsuit to Stop Clean Water Rollbacks + Drinking Water Quality Threatened by Climate Change + Increased Water Withdrawal Approved by Judge +  Chicagoans Waiting for Plovers Monty and Rose to Return

The Hell of Not Having Running Water During a Pandemic

Amidst the pandemic, We The People Of Detroit CEO and founder Monica Lewis-Patrick continues her free water delivery service. After Governor Whitmer made an executive order on water restoration, food pantries and nonprofits delivering water are calculating hundreds if not thousands of residents still without running water. For years, We The People Of Detroit has argued that shutoffs threaten the health of impoverished families. African Americans bear the brunt of this pandemic with higher COVID-19 death tolls occurring in the same areas without running water.

Lawsuit to Stop Clean Water Rollbacks

Six environmental groups filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to stop clean water rollbacks.  The Trump Administration duplicitously named the rollbacks “Navigable Waters Protection Rule” although it would eliminate those protections. The lawsuit contends the rules are a violation of the Clean Water Act.

Drinking Water Quality Threatened by Climate Change

With Great Lakes water temperatures increasing due to climate change, precipitation has also increased, including extreme rain events. Increased rain means increased runoff that dumps nutrient pollution into our waterways. When coupled with high temperatures, this runoff creates the perfect conditions for harmful algal blooms. The combined events create severe threats to our drinking water, demonstrating our vast water supply can still be vulnerable and undrinkable if not properly protected.

Increased Water Withdrawal Approved by Judge

Unfortunately, a judge ruled this week that Néstle Waters Inc. can increase its pumping rate to withdraw 576,000 gallons of groundwater per day.  Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation, an environmental organization that has worked for years to protect groundwater and surface water from water withdrawals, is considering options in response to the decision.

Chicagoans Waiting for Plovers Monty and Rose to Return

A nesting pair of piping plovers at Montrose Beach in Chicago persevered through a music festival and more last summer.  This summer, the plovers, affectionately named Monty and Rose, may not have to share the beach with humans due to the pandemic.

Original Article

Blog – Freshwater Future

Blog – Freshwater Future

https://freshwaterfuture.org/uncategorized/freshwater-weekly-may-5-2020/

Alexis Smith

Tim Kohlstedt has a greater appreciation nowadays for the angst expressed in Vincent van Gogh’s Night Café: “Everyone in the painting is hunched over. It’s how the world is feeling right now.” 

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2020/05/04/life-skills-skateboarding-art-appreciation-relationship-mending/

David Poulson

Fishing and Freighters: Great Lakes industries take COVID-19 economic hit

Lake Erie fishing charters reel from stay at home orders, and lake freighters idle due to industry shutdowns.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/04/covid-19-coronavirus-fishing-freighters-great-lakes-industries/

Gary Wilson

April 24, 2020

This week: Gov. Whitmer’s Water Service Restoration Order Reports Are Available Online + Weak EPA Means More Water Pollution + Environmental Group Finds Elevated PFAS Levels In Creek Sediments + 10-Years Later, Still No Cleanup Plan at Air Force Base + Ignoring COVID-19, Enbridge Wants to Move Forward With Line 5 + Great Lakes Inspire Hope

Gov. Whitmer’s Water Service Restoration Order Reports Are Available Online: Cities Don’t Have Sufficient Information to Find Disconnected Homes

The Restoration Reports from water systems indicate that water service is slowly being restored to Michigan homes with over 1,500 residents getting water turned on in their homes, and we celebrate that change. We also call on the systems to ensure that they take all steps necessary to determine where residents still do not have water and ensure reconnections take place.  Statements in the reports such as cities “giving their best efforts to determine which occupied residences within their service areas do not have water service” is concerning and Freshwater Future is working with many localities to ensure this data is secured as quickly as possible. Governor Whitmer ordered water service restoration as a measure to fight against COVID-19.  Water reconnections are required to be reported to the state as well as posted online for residents. Residents can track the progress in each community by clicking here.

Weak EPA Means More Water Pollution

Weak enforcement of environmental regulations by the EPA under the Trump administration is resulting in more water pollution.  A report released this week shows that since the President took office, compliance with the Clean Water Act has declined significantly, with 62% more facilities in “significant noncompliance” compared with fiscal years 2012-2017. The EPA is initiating over 28% fewer enforcement actions. Unfortunately, many of the facilities out of compliance are located in low-income communities, putting these residents at greater risks for public health threats.  

Environmental Group Finds Elevated PFAS Levels In Creek Sediments

An environmental group, working with a group of teens in East Madison, WI discovered elevated PFAS levels in Starkweather Creek sediment. Governmental agencies assured Midwest Environmental Justice Organization (MEJO) officials PFAS levels were low in the sediment. However, reports showed significantly high PFAS levels of 21,000 parts-per-trillion. MEJO executive director, Maria Powell, PhD, calls on government officials to require more testing to determine health impacts and move forward with cleanup.

10-Years Later, Still No Cleanup Plan at Air Force Base

For a decade, an investigation of PFAS pollution at Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda, MI has been gathering data. Activists and local advisory board members are understandably upset as the Air Force receives $13.5 million only to further the investigation rather than take necessary actions to clean-up the contamination. U.S. Air Force officials state there is no imminent threat to Oscoda’s drinking water, since alternative water supplies are being provided.  However, advisories limit the amount of fish and game that can be eaten in the area and residents are to avoid contact with foamy lake water.

Ignoring COVID-19, Enbridge Wants to Move Forward With Replacement Pipeline and Tunnel

Enbridge owners press Michigan regulators to announce that a permit to replace Line 5 is not needed and that construction can begin. Opponents say permits are needed and the process should be delayed until COVID-19 ends to allow citizens to fully engage in the project. In addition, Enbridge submitted a different set of applications to State and Federal agencies for permits to construct the tunnel.

Great Lakes Inspire Hope

National Geographic Explorer, Amy Sacka reflects on how the Great Lakes inspire hope in honor of the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day. The amazing people living in the Great Lakes region give us hope, and Freshwater Future staff will continue to take and support action to protect our waters, the life source that connects us all.

Original Article

Blog – Freshwater Future

Blog – Freshwater Future

https://freshwaterfuture.org/uncategorized/freshwater-weekly-april-27-2020/

Alexis Smith

With turkey season and UP walleye season scheduled to start soon, the extension of the governor’s stay-at-home order with travel restrictions and ban on motorized watercraft use are worrying hunters and anglers. DNR has made adjustments for turkey hunters.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2020/04/24/hunters-anglers-fret-over-outdoor-restrictions/

Guest Contributor

COVID-19 has pushed thousands of teachers, executives, journalists, students, health care providers and others to video-chat platforms. While they learn to navigate the technology, they might want to check behind themselves. Their background delivers as much of a message as their words.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2020/04/23/covid-19-causes-many-to-look-over-their-shoulders/

David Poulson

Earth Day 2020: How to participate from the safety of your home

This year’s Earth Day is a special one, and not just because it’s the 50th anniversary of the event.

With stay home orders and heavy social distancing recommendations in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the usual large gatherings of people to show support, clear trash and do more to help the planet just aren’t plausible.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/04/earth-day-2020-participate-from-home/

Natasha Blakely

Environmental Justice During COVID-19: Communities bear extra burden

When you ask well-intentioned government officials about environmental justice issues and why they are so difficult to remedy, the response usually goes like this:

“Some of the challenges we see as environmental problems are really rooted in decades of disinvestment in parts of our urban communities,” Liesl Clark, director of Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy told Great Lakes Now in a 2019 interview.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/04/environmental-justice-during-covid-19-coronavirus/

Gary Wilson

April 17, 2020

This week: Congress Introduces Federal Ban on Water Shutoffs During COVID—19 Crisis + Vermont Finds PFAS In Groundwater Due To Fertilizer Treatment + Developer Implodes Coal Plant Smoke Stack, Covering Little Village in Dust + Port Huron Upgrades Sewer System

Congress Introduces Federal Ban on Water Shutoffs During COVID—19 Crisis

Numerous municipalities and States have adopted moratoriums for water shut offs amid COVID-19. Over sixty members of Congress are in consensus that a ban on water shut offs is essential on a federal level.  The legislation also provides funding for residents to cover water bills.

Vermont Finds PFAS In Groundwater Due To Fertilizer Treatment

Using treated sewage sludge for agricultural fertilizer has been considered safe until recently.  The presence of pharmaceuticals and chemicals like PFAS used in water and stain repellents, nonstick cookware, and fire retardants are concentrating in sludge and when applied to farm fields are contaminating soils and groundwater as recently reported in Vermont.

Developer Implodes Coal Plant Smoke Stack, Covering Little Village in Dust

Amid COVID-19 a former coal plant implodes, sending clouds of toxic dust in the air to cover Little Village of Chicago. Local residents and Little Village Environmental Justice Organization (LVEJO) are furious, demanding reparations from the company as well as the city. Residents are suffering from respiratory symptoms and fear entering health facilities due to fear of contracting the virus.

Port Huron Upgrades Sewer System 

Like many cities, Port Huron’s combined wastewater and stormwater drains were not properly designed and often resulted in raw sewage being dumped in the St. Clair River.  At one time, there were 19 overflow points polluting the waterway. Twenty-one years and $178 million later, overflow points will be eliminated, greatly benefiting the water quality of the St. Clair River.

Original Article

Blog – Freshwater Future

Blog – Freshwater Future

https://freshwaterfuture.org/uncategorized/freshwater-future-weekly-april-21-2020/

Alexis Smith

Due to public health concerns related to COVID-19, the two remaining events in the Lake Talks series for spring 2020 will be postponed and rescheduled for fall. Once new dates are selected, Wisconsin Sea Grant will announce the information on its website and social media accounts.

The rescheduled events were to take place on May 28 in Green Bay and May 30 in Kenosha.

A similar series, the River Talks, which is co-hosted by the Wisconsin and Minnesota Sea Grant programs along with the Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve, has also suspended its spring events out of ongoing concern for public health. Our first priority is keeping speakers and potential audiences safe.

To read about the spring Lake Talk that was able to take place–a March 4 event in Green Bay called “Setting Sail for Great Lakes Learning”–read our blog entry summarizing that panel discussion.

Original Article

News Releases – Wisconsin Sea Grant

News Releases – Wisconsin Sea Grant

https://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/news/lake-talks-series-postponed/

Jennifer Smith