Wisconsin - Green Bay Waterfront

Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe Winter Games go on despite little snow on the ground

On: February 26, 2024

In: Feature Homepage, History and Culture, indigenous communities, Latest News, News, Recreation and Tourism, Wisconsin

Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe Winter Games go on despite little snow on the ground

This story was originally published by WXPR. WXPR is a community-licensed public radio station serving north central Wisconsin and adjacent areas of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Listen to their stories here.

Lac du Flambeau 6th Grader Gertie Moustache pulls a wooden, dulled spear from a bin.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2024/02/lac-du-flambeau-ojibwe-winter-games-go-on-despite-little-snow-on-ground/

WXPR

Wisconsin’s state fish tops the food chain

On: February 22, 2024

In: Authors, Feature Homepage, Fish, Birds and Animals, James Proffitt, lake erie, Lake Michigan, Latest News, Michigan, News, Recreation and Tourism, Recreational Hunting and Fishing, Science, Technology, Research, Wisconsin

Wisconsin’s state fish tops the food chain

The long, fast, toothy muskellunge (also known as muskie or musky) is nicknamed the “Fish of 10,000 Casts” due to its notoriously elusive nature. It is the apex predator in all waters where it’s found, known to hide in underwater cover, aggressively ambushing prey. They eat fish almost exclusively, though they have been known to consume just about anything they can swallow including birds, small mammals, and their own kind.  

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2024/02/wisconsins-state-fish-tops-the-food-chain/

James Proffitt

Teachers and scientists work together on the Lake Guardian

On: February 17, 2024

In: Feature Homepage, lake erie, Latest News, Milwaukee, News, Ohio, Research, Data and Technology, Science, Technology, Research, Wisconsin

Teachers and scientists work together on the Lake Guardian

The Lake Guardian is currently in its winter home, nestled along the docks in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In warmer months, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) uses this ship to gather data on water quality, and has for over forty years. And each year since 1991, a group of lucky educators has squeezed on board and, for nine days, also called this ship home.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2024/02/teachers-and-scientists-work-together-on-the-lake-guardian/

Lisa John Rogers, Great Lakes Now

PFAS in municipal drinking water: New grant designed to improve risk communication in Wisconsin

On: February 6, 2024

In: Bret Shaw, Cristina Carvajal, Gavin Dehnert, Great Lakes, Lyn van Swol, PFAS, Public Health Madison & Dane County, risk communication messaging, UniverCity Alliance, UW-Madison Extension, Wisconsin, Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Wisconsin Dept of Natural Resources, Wisconsin Eco-Latinos

The PFAS research team: Lyn van Swol, Bret Shaw, Cristina Carvajal, Gavin Dehnert. Image credit: Hannan Hein of University of Wisconsin-Madison

A team from the University of Wisconsin-Madison received a grant from Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant to study PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) messaging to water users in Wisconsin with a special focus on Latinos, since they are the largest and fastest-growing minority group in the state.

PFAS, sometimes called “forever” chemicals, are found in various products and can contaminate drinking water. High levels of PFAS have been linked to health risks, such as increased cholesterol levels, decreased vaccine response, risk of thyroid disease, lower birth weights and reduced fertility in women. However, health risks at lower levels are uncertain. Communicating these risks effectively to increase understanding, avoid undue fear and provide recommendations for behaviors people can do to reduce risks is crucial to the 70% of Wisconsinites who depend on municipal water supplies.

“The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources now requires monitoring for PFAS in municipal water supplies and reporting when any are detected at over 70 parts per trillion,” said Lyn van Swol, principal investigator and a professor with UW-Madison’s Department of Communication Arts. “Given these new requirements and uncertainty about the health effects of PFAS, particularly at lower levels, public health educators are struggling with how to communicate with the public about the presence of PFAS in their municipal water supplies.”

Van Swol and the grant team will work to develop effective communication strategies about PFAS risks, focusing on engaging messages that encourage actions such as using water filtration systems. They will do this in three parts. First, they will gather data on people’s internet searches related to PFAS information. Second, they will test specific messages with municipal water users, and finally, test which messages engage social media audiences.

They will share their results via webinars, news releases and collaborations with Spanish-speaking media. The team will also develop resources for environmental and health communication professionals designed to enhance public understanding and proactive response to PFAS exposure in their communities.

The grant team is comprised of van Swol and Bret Shaw, professor with the Department of Life Sciences Communication and an environmental communication specialist with UW-Division of Extension; Gavin Dehnert, emerging contaminant scientist with Wisconsin Sea Grant; and Cristina Carvajal of Wisconsin Eco-Latinos.

Other partners include UW-Madison Extension, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Public Health Madison & Dane County and the UniverCity Alliance.

The study is part of a larger project coordinated by Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant that addresses PFAS knowledge gaps in the Great Lakes region.

The post PFAS in municipal drinking water: New grant designed to improve risk communication in Wisconsin first appeared on Wisconsin Sea Grant.

Original Article

News Releases | Wisconsin Sea Grant

https://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/news/pfas-in-municipal-drinking-water-new-grant-designed-to-improve-risk-communication-in-wisconsin/

Marie Zhuikov

Consortium of Great Lakes universities and tech companies gets $15M to seek ways to clean wastewater

On: January 30, 2024

In: AP, Latest News, Michigan, Milwaukee, News, Ohio, Research, Data and Technology, Science, Technology, Research, Wisconsin

Consortium of Great Lakes universities and tech companies gets $15M to seek ways to clean wastewater

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The National Science Foundation has given a consortium of Great Lakes-area universities and tech companies $15 million to develop ways to extract harmful substances from wastewater.

The foundation announced Monday that it has named the Great Lakes ReNEW group as one of 10 regional innovation engines across the country.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2024/01/ap-consortium-of-great-lakes-universities-and-tech-companies-gets-15m-to-seek-ways-to-clean-wastewater/

The Associated Press

Waves of Change: Meet Wisconsin Green Muslims founder and director Huda Alkaff

On: January 29, 2024

In: Feature Homepage, Latest News, News, Waves of Change, Wisconsin

Waves of Change: Meet Wisconsin Green Muslims founder and director Huda Alkaff

Waves of Change is a new online interview series highlighting the diverse faces and perspectives shaping the environmental justice movement throughout the Great Lakes region.

This month, we spoke with Huda Alkaff, an ecologist, environmental educator and the founder and director of Wisconsin Green Muslims. The group’s work touches a variety of climate issues, including renewable energy.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2024/01/waves-of-change-meet-wisconsin-green-muslims-founder-and-director-huda-alkaff/

GLN Editor

Tell us where and how you use the waterways!

On: January 15, 2024

In: 2023, erosion, Fox-Wolf Basin, Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance, FWWA, habitat, Lake, Lake Management, Lake Winnebago, lwcd, phosphorus, phosphorus removal, project, recreation map, recreational use, restoration, Stream, streambank, survey, Water quality, Watershed Project, wetland, Winnebago, Winnebago Waterways, Wisconsin, wwpHomeProject

Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance is implementing conservation projects to protect our waters for future generations. Help us prioritize future restoration projects and strengthen funding requests by telling us how you enjoy the lakes!

Please be specific – we are interested in the areas you use the most (we are looking to improve your spots, not steal them!). The map will be made public but your name will not be tied to the points you add.

To get started, please click the button “Take the Survey Now!” or use the QR Code on the right.

Once on the map, click the “Edit” icon located on the upper left corner underneath the search bar. The icon looks like a list with a pencil. Select the type of activity that you would like to add, then click on the map where you do this activity to add it.

Add as many points as you’d like, keeping in mind we are interested in the areas most important to YOU. Adding an area that covers a whole lake is not as helpful as adding three points of the areas you fish the most and the boat launch you use to access it.

If you enjoy our waters in a way not listed, please select the most similar activity or select “other”, and add a description of the activity in the notes.

Thank you for your help and participation!

Take the Survey Now!

Contact Katie R with any questions or concerns at katherine@fwwa.org

Winnebago Waterways is a Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance recovery initiative. Contact us at wwinfo@fwwa.org

The post Tell us where and how you use the waterways! appeared first on Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance.

Original Article

Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance

https://fwwa.org/2024/01/15/recreationsurvey/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=recreationsurvey

Katie Reed

Twenty companies pledge to use all parts of Great Lakes fish by 2025

On: January 12, 2024

In: Books, Authors, Art and Music, Duluth, Feature Homepage, Fish, Birds and Animals, Food, History and Culture, indigenous communities, Lake Superior, Latest News, Minnesota, News, Ontario, Recreation and Tourism, Science, Technology, Research, Wisconsin

Twenty companies pledge to use all parts of Great Lakes fish by 2025

This article was republished here with permission from Great Lakes Echo.

By Shealyn Paulis, Great Lakes Echo

Fish-leather purses and wallets may make their way into Great Lakes fashion with an initiative to use 100% of commercially caught fish by 2025.

One of the latest projects of a binational Great Lakes organization is to fully use the region’s whitefish, lake trout, yellow perch, walleye and white sucker.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2024/01/twenty-companies-pledge-to-use-all-parts-of-great-lakes-fish-by-2025/

Great Lakes Echo

Prioritizing stabilization projects using streambank erosion inventories in the Fox-Wolf River Basin

On: January 11, 2024

In: 2023, erosion, Fox-Wolf Basin, Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance, FWWA, habitat, Lake, Lake Management, Lake Winnebago, lwcd, phosphorus, phosphorus removal, project, restoration, Stream, streambank, Water quality, Watershed Project, wetland, Winnebago, Winnebago Waterways, Wisconsin, wwpHomeProject

Project Overview

In 2020, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) developed a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for the Upper Fox and Wolf River (UFW). A TMDL is a calculation of the maximum amount of a pollutant that a body of water can absorb and still meet water quality. The TMDL was utilized in the creation of the EPA’s Nine Key Elements (9KE). Within the 9KE there is a requirement for reductions in pollution to meet water quality goals. The goals within this plan are to reduce Total Phosphorus (TP) which also relates to the reduction of Total Suspended Solids (TSS) such as erosion and flooding.

Approximately 34% of the reduction from the TMDL needs to come from the Winnebago Waterways Recovery Area with 51% of that reduction assigned to agriculture. Alteration in farming practices and structural changes will help make reductions.

Currently, a missing piece in the TMDL and draft 9KE plan is streambank erosion. Streambank erosion is lumped in with agricultural loading estimates and required reductions in the TMDL. In some watersheds, we anticipate streambank erosion being a significant contributor to the total TMDL agricultural load. We need to inventory the streambanks in each HUC12 so that we can estimate potential TP/TSS reductions that could come from stabilizing streambanks to stop streambank erosion and to prioritize project locations. Stabilizing streambanks would be paired with efforts to increase infiltration on the land to reduce the volume and rate of flow that damages streambanks during storm events.

For this project, we will begin by completing streambank inventories in the four highest loading HUC12s located within the WWRA. The pollutant load from these HUC12s significantly contributes to water quality impairments of the streams within each HUC12, the Winnebago Lakes, and Lake Michigan. In addition to providing loading estimates from streambank erosion, this project also seeks to identify and prioritize potential locations for future restoration projects to help reduce nutrient loading and protect or enhance existing habitat. Going forward, this project will serve as a template for completing future streambank inventories for the remaining 28 HUC12s located in the WWRA.

Target HUC12 Subwatersheds in the 2023 Streambank Erosion Inventory

HUC12 to be Inventoried HUC12 Code Stream Miles

Town of Dale-Rat River 040202022102 60

Eldorado Marsh-Fond Du Lac River 040302020204 63

Lake Poygan – Willow Creek 040302022006 88

Pipe Creek – Frontal Lake Winnebago 040302020303 91

Project Timeline

In the Spring of 2023, a method was developed using GIS to determine streambanks to be physically inventoried as they are representative of the HUC12 they are located in. The method developed has been recorded in SOP#1: Streambank Erosion Inventory Desktop Review so it can be duplicated.

Fieldwork was accomplished in the summer of 2023. Streambank information from the desktop review was utilized to complete a physical inventory of these sections.

December 2023 – February 2024: Streambank Inventory Data Analysis was developed along with the extrapolation. These tools will allow an estimation of sediment loss and load & phosphorus loss and load for an entire watershed.

Project Funding & Partners

Winnebago Waterways is a Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance recovery initiative. Contact us at wwinfo@fwwa.org

The post Prioritizing stabilization projects using streambank erosion inventories in the Fox-Wolf River Basin appeared first on Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance.

Original Article

Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance

https://fwwa.org/2024/01/11/streambank-inventory/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=streambank-inventory

Katie Reed

Wisconsin agency’s expanded mission led to record $450 million investment in Milwaukee waterways

On: November 9, 2023

In: Authors, Feature Homepage, Feature Milwaukee, Gary Wilson, Latest News, Milwaukee, News, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts, Wisconsin

Wisconsin agency’s expanded mission led to record $450 million investment in Milwaukee waterways

Since assuming the helm of Milwaukee’s sewerage agency (MMSD) in 2002, Kevin Shafer has been focused on managing and expanding the city’s deep tunnels designed to keep sewage out of Lake Michigan.

Knowing that tunnels alone are not enough, Shafer also started a campaign to emphasize green infrastructure and over the years, Milwaukee went from having a reputation as a bad actor to being a national leader in managing sewage overflows.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/11/wisconsin-agencys-expanded-mission-led-to-record-450-million-investment-in-milwaukee-waterways/

Gary Wilson

Coastal erosion researcher appeals for help in finding her remote-control boat

On: November 5, 2023

In: Authors, Feature Homepage, Lake Michigan, Latest News, News, Research, Data and Technology, Science, Technology, Research, Sharon Oosthoek, Wisconsin

Coastal erosion researcher appeals for help in finding her remote-control boat

Chelsea Volpano’s coastal erosion study began drawing attention on social media last week, but not for the reasons you would expect.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison student was gathering the final data set for her Ph.D. on October 30 when her small boat stopped responding to the remote control.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/11/coastal-erosion-researcher-appeals-for-help-in-finding-her-remote-control-boat/

Sharon Oosthoek

Federal, local officials agree on $450 million deal to clean up Milwaukee waterways

On: October 17, 2023

In: AP, Feature Milwaukee, Lake Michigan, Latest News, Milwaukee, News, Wisconsin

Federal, local officials agree on $450 million deal to clean up Milwaukee waterways

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Federal, state and local officials have agreed to spend about $450 million to dredge contaminated sediment from Milwaukee’s Lake Michigan harbor and area rivers.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Thursday that it will devote $275 million from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to the project.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/10/ap-federal-local-officials-agree-on-450-million-deal-to-clean-up-milwaukee-waterways/

The Associated Press

Milwaukee suburb begins pulling millions of gallons per day from Lake Michigan

On: October 10, 2023

In: AP, Feature Homepage, Lake Michigan, Latest News, Milwaukee, News, Wisconsin

Milwaukee suburb begins pulling millions of gallons per day from Lake Michigan

WAUKESHA, Wis. (AP) — A Milwaukee suburb has finally started to pull millions of gallons of water per day from Lake Michigan after spending years seeking approval from regulators.

The city of Waukesha began the diversion Monday. City officials say 90% of the city will be using Lake Michigan’s water within five days.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/10/ap-milwaukee-suburb-pulling-millions-gallons-lake-michigan/

The Associated Press

Behind the shipwreck discovered in Lake Michigan

On: September 15, 2023

In: Authors, Feature Homepage, History and Culture, Lake Michigan, Latest News, Lisa John Rogers, News, Recreation and Tourism, shipwreck, shipwrecks, Wisconsin

Behind the shipwreck discovered in Lake Michigan

A 150-year-old schooner that sank in 1881, was finally discovered in Lake Michigan. On July 15, maritime historians, Brendon Baillod and Bob Jaeck located the old shipwreck off the coast of Algoma, Wisconsin. The Trinidad was on their radar for more than twenty years, as the ship was a strong candidate for research; the captain and his eight crew members all survived (except their trusted Newfoundland), providing a good description of where the vessel sank.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/09/behind-shipwreck-discovered-lake-michigan/

Lisa John Rogers

PFAS News Roundup: Impact of PFAS on farming, proposed cuts to the EPA

On: September 12, 2023

In: Authors, Drinking Water, Feature Homepage, Illinois, Kathy Johnson, Latest News, Michigan, News, Ohio, Pennsylvania, PFAS, PFAS News Roundup, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts, Wisconsin

PFAS News Roundup: Impact of PFAS on farming, proposed cuts to the EPA

Keep up with PFAS-related developments in the Great Lakes area with Great Lakes Now’s biweekly headline roundup.

Click on the headline to read the full story:

Illinois
Farmer Claiming PFAS Pollution From Mine Sent to Arbitration — Bloomberg Law News

An Illinois appellate court on Friday ordered a dispute between a farmer and a mining company over alleged water pollution from firefighting foam used to extinguish a fire at a mining operation be settled in arbitration, reversing a lower court decision.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/09/pfas-news-roundup-impact-pfas-farming-proposed-cuts-epa/

Kathy Johnson

Energy News Roundup: Opposition over solar development in Illinois, Excessive heat in Detroit

On: September 7, 2023

In: Authors, Energy, Energy News Roundup, Energy, Clean Energy, Ethanol and Fracking, Feature Homepage, Illinois, Indiana, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Kathy Johnson, Latest News, Michigan, Minnesota, News, Ohio, Wisconsin

Energy News Roundup: Opposition over solar development in Illinois, Excessive heat in Detroit

Keep up with energy-related developments in the Great Lakes area with Great Lakes Now’s biweekly headline roundup.

Click on the headline to read the full story:

Illinois

Will County solar boom not entirely welcomed — Herald-News

Some Illinois local officials say a recent state law limits their ability to block commercial solar developments amid landowner opposition.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/09/energy-news-roundup-opposition-solar-development-illinois-excessive-heat-detroit/

Kathy Johnson

PFAS News Roundup: PFAS likely present in all major water supplies, Court rules against restrictions on PFAS in Michigan

On: August 29, 2023

In: Authors, Drinking Water, Feature Homepage, Indiana, Kathy Johnson, Latest News, Michigan, Minnesota, News, Ohio, PFAS, PFAS News Roundup, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts, Wisconsin

PFAS News Roundup: PFAS likely present in all major water supplies, Court rules against restrictions on PFAS in Michigan

PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of widespread man-made chemicals that don’t break down in the environment or the human body and have been flagged as a major contaminant in sources of water across the country.

Keep up with PFAS-related developments in the Great Lakes area.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/08/pfas-news-roundup-pfas-likely-present-water-supplies-court-rules-against-restrictions-michigan/

Kathy Johnson

Energy News Roundup: Climate action plan in Illinois, Offshore wind project in Lake Erie

On: August 24, 2023

In: Authors, Energy, Energy News Roundup, Feature Homepage, Illinois, Indiana, Kathy Johnson, Latest News, Michigan, Minnesota, minnnesota, News, Ohio, Ontario, Research, Data and Technology, Science, Technology, Research, Wisconsin

Energy News Roundup: Climate action plan in Illinois, Offshore wind project in Lake Erie

Keep up with energy-related developments in the Great Lakes area with Great Lakes Now’s biweekly headline roundup.

Click on the headline to read the full story:

Illinois

Wind, solar training facility opens in Bloomington — Pantagraph

Officials unveil a new technical training center in Bloomington, Illinois, that will train at least 100 people annually for wind and solar jobs.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/08/energy-news-roundup-climate-action-plan-illinois-offshore-wind-lake-erie/

Kathy Johnson

PFAS News Roundup: Clermont County village files lawsuit over forever chemicals, Home testing kits debut in Chicago

On: August 16, 2023

In: Authors, Feature Homepage, Illinois, Kathy Johnson, Latest News, Michigan, Minnesota, News, Ohio, Ontario, PFAS, PFAS News Roundup, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts, Wisconsin

PFAS News Roundup: Clermont County village files lawsuit over forever chemicals, Home testing kits debut in Chicago

Keep up with energy-related developments in the Great Lakes area with Great Lakes Now’s biweekly headline roundup.

Click on the headline to read the full story:

Illinois

Home Water Quality Testing Kits For Lead, Copper And PFAS To Debut In Chicago — Forbes

The National Science Foundation is backing a pilot study by Northwestern University to develop and distribute water quality testing kits to Chicago-area residents.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/08/pfas-news-roundup-clermont-county-village-lawsuit-forever-chemicals-testing-kits-debut-chicago/

Kathy Johnson

Milwaukee residents fear more flooding due to planned I-94 expansion

On: August 14, 2023

In: Collaboration, infrastructure, Latest News, Milwaukee, News, Wisconsin

Milwaukee residents fear more flooding due to planned I-94 expansion

by Jonah Chester, Wisconsin Watch

This piece is part of a collaboration that includes the Institute for Nonprofit News, Borderless, Ensia, Planet Detroit, Sahan Journal, and Wisconsin Watch, as well as the Guardian and Inside Climate News. The project was supported by the Joyce Foundation.

Janet Haas two decades ago saw potential in a field of thistle, grass and bushes that Milwaukee County had neglected: Valley Park, nestled between the Menomonee River to the west and homes in one of Milwaukee’s most racially diverse neighborhoods to the east.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/08/milwaukee-residents-fear-flooding-due-planned-i-94-expansion/

Wisconsin Watch

FRESH: As Chicago Broils, Citizens and Scientists Study ‘Heat Island’ Effect

On: August 9, 2023

In: Charles Stewart Mott Foundation Partnership, Chicago, Collaboration, Illinois, Latest News, Michigan, News, Ontario, Policy, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, pollution, watersheds, Wisconsin

FRESH: As Chicago Broils, Citizens and Scientists Study ‘Heat Island’ Effect

August 8, 2023

Fresh is a biweekly newsletter from Circle of Blue that unpacks the biggest international, state, and local policy news stories facing the Great Lakes region today. Sign up for Fresh: A Great Lakes Policy Briefing, straight to your inbox, every other Tuesday.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/08/fresh-chicago-broils-citizens-scientists-study-heat-island-effect/

Circle of Blue

Volunteers Needed! Shoreline Buffer Demonstration Site Set To Be Installed at Marble Park, Winneconne

On: August 9, 2023

In: Butte des Morts, columbia park, cost share, county, demo site, diversions, fish sticks, Fond du Lac County, Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance, FWWA, grant, habitat, Healthy Lakes, katie reed, korin doering, Lake Management, lakes, lakeshore, lwcd, native plantings, Poygan, rain gardens, restoration, shoreland, shoreline, Watershed Project, WI DNR, Winnebago, Winnebago Waterways, Winneconne, Wisconsin, Wolf River

Visitors to Marble Park in Winneconne, Winnebago County can soon stop by three native plant beds to enjoy beautiful native plants! Installation is scheduled to start on August 22, 2023. We anticipate needing volunteers to help the remainder of the week (Aug 22-23). If you are interested in volunteering to help install and plant these beds, please fill out the following form and select “Shoreline Planting/Work Crew”. We look forward to seeing you at the park!

Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance partnered with the Village of Winneconne to install the native plant beds. The goal of this project is to increase the adoption and installation of native shoreline plantings around the Winnebago System. We are excited to see the project come together and watch the plants grow!

Shoreline property owners are eligible to receive reimbursement of up to $1000 to install this type of best management practice through a Wisconsin DNR Healthy Lakes and Rivers grant by partnering with Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance.

Come check out what this shoreline best management practice looks like, what the requirements are for the Healthy Lakes and Rivers Grant, and what shoreline property owners can expect from the process of planning, installing, and maintaining the native plant beds.

Under a Healthy Lakes and Rivers grant, native plantings must:

Total 350 contiguous square feet,
Be at least 10 feet wide in any direction,
Be adjacent to the shore,
Follow the Healthy Lakes requirement for number of native plants and species.

A Healthy Lakes native planting project can augment an existing area of shoreline vegetation under certain circumstances.

The demonstration site at Marble Park will meet all of these requirements, and is intended to give shoreline property owners a good idea of what to expect from their native plantings, while also educating visitors about how native plantings can improve wildlife habitat, natural beauty, and decrease runoff into the Wolf River.

The Demonstration Site will showcase three different plant lists: a low-growing bed showcasing species that grow <5 ft tall, a shoreline edge bed with species that thrive close to the water and a pollinator bed which will showcase species specifically intended to attract pollinators.

If you have any questions or are interested in installing a Healthy Lakes native plant bed on your shoreline property, please contact Katie Reed at katherine@fwwa.org or 920-851-6472.

Funding for this project was provided by the Winnebago Waterways Program at Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance and the WI Department of Natural Resources. Project partners include the Winnebago Waterways Program at Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance and the Village of Winneconne.

Winnebago Waterways is a Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance recovery initiative. Contact us at wwinfo@fwwa.org

The post Volunteers Needed! Shoreline Buffer Demonstration Site Set To Be Installed at Marble Park, Winneconne appeared first on Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance.

Original Article

Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance

https://fwwa.org/2023/08/09/marble-park-demo-site/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=marble-park-demo-site

Katie Reed

Energy News Roundup: Improvements coming to Michigan’s power grid, Congress can’t agree on climate spending

On: August 3, 2023

In: Authors, Energy, Energy News Roundup, Feature Homepage, Illinois, Indiana, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Kathy Johnson, Latest News, Michigan, Minnesota, News, Ohio, Science, Technology, Research, Wisconsin

Energy News Roundup: Improvements coming to Michigan’s power grid, Congress can’t agree on climate spending

Keep up with energy-related developments in the Great Lakes area with Great Lakes Now’s biweekly headline roundup.

Click on the headline to read the full story:

Illinois

Chicago Mayor Receives Blueprint for ’Green New Deal’ to Address Environmental Justice — Inside Climate News

Advocates deliver Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson a local “Green New Deal” proposal that aims to tackle energy affordability, clean energy job opportunities, and environmental justice curricula in schools.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/08/energy-news-roundup-improvements-coming-to-michigans-power-grid-congress-climate-spending/

Kathy Johnson

PFAS News Roundup: Legislation introduced in Michigan, Ways to reduce your exposure

On: August 3, 2023

In: Authors, Drinking Water, Feature Homepage, Indiana, Kathy Johnson, Latest News, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, News, PFAS, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts, Wisconsin

PFAS News Roundup: Legislation introduced in Michigan, Ways to reduce your exposure

Keep up with PFAS-related developments in the Great Lakes area.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/08/pfas-news-roundup-legislation-introduced-in-michigan-reduce-exposure/

Kathy Johnson

PFAS News Roundup: First-to-market PFAS annihilator in Michigan, $42.4 million in claims against Wisconsin city

On: July 20, 2023

In: Authors, Drinking Water, Feature Homepage, Kathy Johnson, Latest News, Michigan, Minnesota, News, Ohio, PFAS, PFAS News Roundup, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts, Wisconsin

PFAS News Roundup: First-to-market PFAS annihilator in Michigan, $42.4 million in claims against Wisconsin city

Keep up with PFAS-related developments in the Great Lakes area.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/07/pfas-news-roundup-firs-market-pfas-annihilator-michigan-42-4-million-claims-wisconsin-city/

Kathy Johnson

Energy News Roundup: Sulfur smell in Indiana, Minnesota Power launches solar project

On: July 14, 2023

In: Authors, Energy News Roundup, Feature Homepage, Illinois, Indiana, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Kathy Johnson, Latest News, Michigan, Minnesota, News, Ohio, Wisconsin

Energy News Roundup: Sulfur smell in Indiana, Minnesota Power launches solar project

Keep up with energy-related developments in the Great Lakes area with Great Lakes Now’s biweekly headline roundup.

Click on the headline to read the full story:

Illinois

Byron nuclear station, 12 taxing bodies reach settlement on EAV — Ogle County News

The owner of an Illinois nuclear plant reaches an agreement with surrounding taxing entities on how much it owes in property taxes, settling years of ongoing appeals.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/07/energy-news-roundup-sulfur-smell-indiana-minnesota-power-solar-project/

Kathy Johnson

What are wetlands for, anyway?

On: July 10, 2023

In: Algae Blooms, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation Partnership, clean water act, Collaboration, environmental protection agency, Feature Homepage, great lakes news collaborative, Illinois, Indiana, lake erie, Lake St. Clair, Latest News, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, News, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Policy, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, Protect, Refresh, Science, Technology, Research, The States, U.S. and Canadian Federal Governments, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts, wetlands, Wisconsin

On May 25, the Supreme Court ruled 9 to 0, changing wetland protection in The Clean Water Act. The Sackett family, who took on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), were being fined $40,000 a day for building their Idaho property too close to an unnamed tributary. That tributary feeds into a creek, and that creek feeds into Priest Lake.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/07/what-are-wetlands-for-anyway/

Lisa John Rogers

PFAS News Roundup: U.S. Military proposes health benefits to veterans, How to identify contaminated foam

On: July 6, 2023

In: Authors, Feature Homepage, Groundwater Contamination, Illinois, Kathy Johnson, Latest News, Michigan, New York, News, Ontario, PFAS, PFAS News Roundup, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts, Wisconsin

PFAS News Roundup: U.S. Military proposes health benefits to veterans, How to identify contaminated foam

Keep up with PFAS-related developments in the Great Lakes area.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/07/pfas-news-roundup-u-s-military-proposes-health-benefits-to-veterans-how-to-identify-contaminated-foam/

Kathy Johnson

Energy News Roundup: Ohio law blocks solar energy development, Line 5 fight in Michigan continues

On: June 29, 2023

In: Authors, Energy, Energy News Roundup, Feature Homepage, Illinois, Indiana, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Kathy Johnson, Latest News, Michigan, Minnesota, News, Ohio, Wisconsin

Energy News Roundup: Ohio law blocks solar energy development, Line 5 fight in Michigan continues

Keep up with energy-related developments in the Great Lakes area with Great Lakes Now’s biweekly headline roundup.

Click on the headline to read the full story:

Illinois

Largest solar farm in Illinois will help Chicago’s city operations meet climate goal — Energy News Network

About half of the output from Illinois’ largest solar project will be devoted to offsetting the city of Chicago’s municipal electric use when it’s completed in late 2024.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/06/energy-news-roundup-ohio-law-solar-energy-development-line-5-michigan-continues/

Kathy Johnson

FRESH: Federal Judge Orders Line 5 Shutdown on Tribal Land in Wisconsin

On: June 27, 2023

In: Charles Stewart Mott Foundation Partnership, Collaboration, Enbridge Line 5 and Other Pipelines, lake erie, Lake Superior, Latest News, Michigan, Minnesota, News, Policy, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, pollution, watersheds, Wisconsin

FRESH: Federal Judge Orders Line 5 Shutdown on Tribal Land in Wisconsin

June 27, 2023

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/06/fresh-federal-judge-orders-line-5-shutdown-on-tribal-land-in-wisconsin/

Circle of Blue

Judge orders segment of Enbridge’s Line 5 shut down and moved off of Native American land

On: June 22, 2023

In: Charles Stewart Mott Foundation Partnership, enbridge, Enbridge Line 5 and Other Pipelines, Feature Homepage, History and Culture, indigenous communities, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Latest News, line 5, News, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, The States, Tribal Governments and First Nations, Wisconsin

Judge orders segment of Enbridge’s Line 5 shut down and moved off of Native American land

By Lester Graham, Michigan Radio

The Great Lakes News Collaborative includes Bridge Michigan; Circle of Blue; Great Lakes Now at Detroit Public Television; and Michigan Radio, Michigan’s NPR News Leader; who work together to bring audiences news and information about the impact of climate change, pollution, and aging infrastructure on the Great Lakes and drinking water.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/06/judge-orders-segment-enbridges-line-5-shut-down-moved-native-land/

Michigan Radio

PFAS News Roundup: Everyday items found contaminated, PFAS removal in Minnesota estimated to cost billions

On: June 20, 2023

In: Authors, Feature Homepage, Kathy Johnson, Latest News, Michigan, Minnesota, News, PFAS, PFAS News Roundup, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts, Wisconsin

PFAS News Roundup: Everyday items found contaminated, PFAS removal in Minnesota estimated to cost billions

Keep up with PFAS-related developments in the Great Lakes area.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/06/pfas-news-roundup-everyday-items-found-contaminated-pfas-removal-minnesota-estimated-billions/

Kathy Johnson

What does the Supreme Court’s wetland ruling mean for Michigan?

On: June 16, 2023

In: Feature Homepage, Latest News, Michigan, News, Policy, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, The States, U.S. and Canadian Federal Governments, wetlands, Wisconsin

What does the Supreme Court’s wetland ruling mean for Michigan?

This article was republished here with permission from Planet Detroit.

By Brian Allnutt, Planet Detroit

The Supreme Court’s recent ruling to significantly reduce Clean Water Act wetlands protections has caused alarm among environmental advocates who fear it will endanger crucial habitats and human health and safety.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/06/what-does-the-supreme-courts-wetland-ruling-mean-for-michigan/

Planet Detroit

Energy News Roundup: Minnesota leading in clean energy, coal plant closing in Michigan

On: June 15, 2023

In: Authors, Energy, Energy News Roundup, Feature Homepage, Illinois, Indiana, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Kathy Johnson, Latest News, Michigan, Minnesota, News, Ohio, Wisconsin

Energy News Roundup: Minnesota leading in clean energy, coal plant closing in Michigan

Keep up with energy-related developments in the Great Lakes area with Great Lakes Now’s biweekly headline roundup.

Click on the headline to read the full story:

Illinois

Tax credits help lure solar-powered manufacturing plant, 60 new jobs to southern Illinois — Belleville News-Democrat

A new southern Illinois plant that will manufacture components for solar panels and electric vehicles also will be powered by a 15-acre onsite solar project.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/06/energy-news-roundup-minnesota-leading-clean-energy-coal-plant-closing-michigan/

Kathy Johnson

PFAS News Roundup: 3M being investigated for contamination, New safety bills introduced in Michigan

On: June 6, 2023

In: Authors, Feature Homepage, Kathy Johnson, Latest News, Michigan, News, Ohio, Ontario, PFAS News Roundup, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts, Wisconsin

PFAS News Roundup: 3M being investigated for contamination, New safety bills introduced in Michigan

Keep up with PFAS-related developments in the Great Lakes area.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/06/pfas-news-roundup-3m-investigated-contamination-safety-bills-michigan/

Kathy Johnson

Energy News Roundup: Illinois house passes ethics bill, EPA rule in Indiana

On: June 1, 2023

In: Energy, Energy News Roundup, Energy, Clean Energy, Ethanol and Fracking, Feature Homepage, Illinois, Indiana, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Latest News, Michigan, Minnesota, News, Ohio, Wisconsin

Energy News Roundup: Illinois house passes ethics bill, EPA rule in Indiana

Keep up with energy-related developments in the Great Lakes area with Great Lakes Now’s biweekly headline roundup.

Click on the headline to read the full story:

Illinois

House passes bill to bar officials convicted of corruption from holding public office — Capitol News Illinois

Illinois lawmakers advance an ethics bill barring anyone convicted of certain crimes while in office from serving again, two weeks after guilty verdicts were handed down in the “ComEd Four” trial.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/06/energy-news-roundup-illinois-house-passes-ethics-bill-epa-rule-in-indiana/

Kathy Johnson

FRESH: New Wisconsin Law Aims to Protect Watersheds From Farm Runoff

On: May 24, 2023

In: Charles Stewart Mott Foundation Partnership, Collaboration, Latest News, Michigan, Milwaukee, Minnesota, News, Ohio, Policy, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, pollution, Research, Data and Technology, The States, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts, watersheds, Wisconsin

FRESH: New Wisconsin Law Aims to Protect Watersheds From Farm Runoff

May 16, 2023

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/05/fresh-wisconsin-law-protect-watersheds-farm-runoff/

Circle of Blue

PFAS News Roundup: At-home blood test developed to detect PFAS earlier

On: May 23, 2023

In: Authors, Feature Homepage, Indiana, Kathy Johnson, Latest News, Michigan, Minnesota, News, PFAS, PFAS News Roundup, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts, Wisconsin

PFAS News Roundup: At-home blood test developed to detect PFAS earlier

Keep up with PFAS-related developments in the Great Lakes area.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/05/pfas-news-roundup-home-blood-test-developed-detect-pfas-earlier/

Kathy Johnson

With lawsuits stalled in Michigan, Nessel seeks Line 5 shutdown in Wisconsin

On: May 22, 2023

In: Charles Stewart Mott Foundation Partnership, Collaboration, Enbridge Line 5 and Other Pipelines, indigenous communities, Latest News, line 5, Michigan, News, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts, Wisconsin

With lawsuits stalled in Michigan, Nessel seeks Line 5 shutdown in Wisconsin

By Kelly House, Bridge Michigan

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/05/lawsuits-stalled-michigan-nessel-seeks-line-5-shutdown-wisconsin/

Bridge Michigan

Nibi Chronicles: Restoring what was lost in translation, one place name at a time

On: May 19, 2023

In: Authors, Feature Homepage, History and Culture, indigenous communities, Lake Superior, Latest News, Minnesota, News, Ojibwe, Staci Lola Drouillard, Wisconsin

Nibi Chronicles: Restoring what was lost in translation, one place name at a time

Editor’s Note: “Nibi Chronicles,” a monthly Great Lakes Now feature, is written by Staci Lola Drouillard. A direct descendant of the Grand Portage Band of Ojibwe, she lives and works in Grand Marais on Minnesota’s North Shore of Lake Superior. Her two books “Walking the Old Road: A People’s History of Chippewa City and the Grand Marais Anishinaabe” and “Seven Aunts” were published 2019 and 2022, and she is at work on a children’s story.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/05/restoring-what-lost-translation-one-place-name-time/

Staci Lola Drouillard

Energy News Roundup: $400 Million hydrogen fuel plant coming to Michigan, U.N. panel recommends shutting down Line 5

On: May 18, 2023

In: Authors, Energy, Energy News Roundup, Feature Homepage, Illinois, Indiana, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, infrastructure, Kathy Johnson, Latest News, Michigan, Minnesota, News, Ohio, Policy, Science, Technology, Research, Wisconsin

Energy News Roundup: $400 Million hydrogen fuel plant coming to Michigan, U.N. panel recommends shutting down Line 5

Keep up with energy-related developments in the Great Lakes area with Great Lakes Now’s biweekly headline roundup.

Click on the headline to read the full story:

Illinois

Jury convicts all four defendants in ComEd bribery trial — and fires a warning shot at Michael Madigan — Chicago-Sun Times

A jury finds all four defendants guilty of bribery conspiracy in a case involving former ComEd executives accused of arranging jobs, contracts and money for allies of former democratic Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan in exchange for favorable legislation.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/05/energy-news-roundup-hydrogen-fuel-plant-michigan-un-recommends-shutting-down-line-5/

Kathy Johnson

PFAS News Roundup: The Nation’s first “PFAS Annihilator” is now being used in Michigan

On: May 9, 2023

In: Authors, Feature Homepage, Indiana, Kathy Johnson, Latest News, Michigan, Minnesota, News, Ontario, PFAS, PFAS News Roundup, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts, Wisconsin

PFAS News Roundup: The Nation’s first “PFAS Annihilator” is now being used in Michigan

Keep up with PFAS-related developments in the Great Lakes area.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/05/pfas-news-roundup-nations-first-pfas-annihilator-being-used-michigan/

Kathy Johnson

Book Club: Celebrating environmental success stories in the Great Lakes

On: May 5, 2023

In: Authors, Books, Books, Authors, Art and Music, Feature Homepage, Habitat Restoration, Hamilton, History and Culture, Lake Ontario, Latest News, News, Ontario, Research, Data and Technology, restoration, Science, Technology, Research, Sharon Oosthoek, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts, Wisconsin

Book Club: Celebrating environmental success stories in the Great Lakes

In his book “Great Lakes Champions: Grassroots Efforts to Clean Up Polluted Watersheds,” John Hartig looks at how 14 Great Lakes residents are working to restore some of the region’s most degraded areas. While significant challenges remain, there is much to celebrate, including the return of sentinel fish and wildlife species, lower contaminant levels in fish and wildlife populations, and greater public access to these waters.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/05/book-club-celebrating-environmental-success-stories-in-the-great-lakes/

Sharon Oosthoek

PFAS News Roundup: West Michigan is showing PFAS levels higher than the national average

On: May 3, 2023

In: Feature Homepage, Indiana, Kathy Johnson, Latest News, Michigan, Minnesota, News, Ohio, PFAS, PFAS News Roundup, Water quality, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts, Wisconsin

PFAS News Roundup: West Michigan is showing PFAS levels higher than the national average

Keep up with PFAS-related developments in the Great Lakes area.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/05/pfas-news-roundup-west-michigan-pfas-levels-higher-than-national-average/

Kathy Johnson

Energy News Roundup: Line 5 negotiations in Michigan, funding for clean energy in Illinois

On: May 2, 2023

In: Authors, Chicago, Enbridge Line 5 and Other Pipelines, Energy, Energy News Roundup, Energy, Clean Energy, Ethanol and Fracking, Feature Homepage, Illinois, Indiana, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Kathy Johnson, Latest News, Michigan, Minnesota, News, Ohio, Wisconsin

Energy News Roundup: Line 5 negotiations in Michigan, funding for clean energy in Illinois

Keep up with energy-related developments in the Great Lakes area with Great Lakes Now’s biweekly headline roundup.

Click on the headline to read the full story:

Illinois

Chicago’s Blacks in Green gets a major boost from a $10 million EPA grant — Energy News Network

Chicago’s Blacks in Green receives a five-year, $10 million U.S.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/05/energy-news-roundup-line-5-negotiations-michigan-funding-clean-energy-illinois/

Kathy Johnson

Mapping the Great Lakes: Flood risk

On: April 24, 2023

In: Alex Hill, Authors, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation Partnership, Detroit, Feature Homepage, flooding, Great Lakes maps, Illinois, Indiana, infrastructure, Latest News, mapping, Michigan, Milwaukee, Minnesota, News, Ohio, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts, Wisconsin

Love staring at a map and discovering something interesting? Then “Mapping the Great Lakes” is for you. It’s a monthly Great Lakes Now feature created by Alex B. Hill, a self-described “data nerd and anthropologist” who combines cartography, data, and analytics with storytelling and human experience.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/04/mapping-the-great-lakes-flood-risk/

Alex Hill