New flood maps may help communities in Cayuga County, New York and elsewhere become better prepared for rising water along the Lake Ontario. Read the full story by The Citizen.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20220321-flood-maps
The province of Ontario is investing $1.1 million to help reduce sewage discharge in Lake Ontario, help fight pollution and ensure cleaner drinking water in Cobourg and Port Hope for generations to come, says the local MPP. Read the full story The Northumberland News.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20220321-funding
This year marks the 50th year of the Clean Water Act. Several environmental groups argue that promises of the landmark law are half-kept at the half-century mark. Fifty percent of the country’s total miles of streams and rivers are classified as “impaired” because of pollution. Read the full story by Michigan Radio.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20220321-cwa
I’ve been outsmarted by more than one species.
A red fox in a Florida nature preserve comes to mind. I observed the fox entering a den and spent two hours patiently waiting for it to emerge so I could take its picture – only to discover the clever fellow had exited out the back shortly after I parked myself out front.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/03/playing-peek-a-boo-with-ducks/
NCEI News Feed
http://www.ncei.noaa.gov/news/humans-ncei-deborah-riddle
Great Lakes invasive species cling to shipments and navigate canals to migrate, but one aquatic invader - sea lamprey - benefitted from border closures instead. During 2020, 93 Great Lakes tributaries and 11 standing bodies of water were scheduled for chemical treatments for lamprey, but only 26 tributaries and six standing bodies of water were completed.
The post The pandemic that closed the U.S./Canadian border to people may have opened it to the invasive sea lamprey first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/03/21/the-pandemic-that-closed-the-u-s-canadian-border-to-people-may-have-opened-it-to-the-invasive-sea-lamprey/
Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service
https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI1263E8F0149C.SpecialWeatherStatement.1263E8F06D48WI.GRBSPSGRB.b41ca03b58bb57eb09c3f08f32428067
Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service
https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI1263E8EF8B1C.SpecialWeatherStatement.1263E8F01370WI.GRBSPSGRB.b41ca03b58bb57eb09c3f08f32428067
Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service
https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI1263E8EE8EC4.SpecialWeatherStatement.1263E8EF7D0CWI.GRBSPSGRB.b41ca03b58bb57eb09c3f08f32428067
During the March “Great Lakes Week” organized by the Great Lakes Commission, Rep. Marcy Kaptur talked about the Great Lakes Authority.
The Great Lakes Authority, which would be a federal entity focused on the economic interests of the Great Lakes region, is an idea that the congresswoman has fought to put into legislation for a few years already.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/03/legislation-great-lakes-authority-federal-entity/
Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service
https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI1263E8E23444.SpecialWeatherStatement.1263E8EE8CD0WI.GRBSPSGRB.b41ca03b58bb57eb09c3f08f32428067
By Todd Richmond, Associated Press
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Tony Evers lashed out Thursday at conservative members of the Department of Natural Resources policy board for refusing to set limits on a group of chemicals known as PFAS in Wisconsin’s groundwater.
The board in February adopted limits for drinking water and surface water but rejected the Department of Natural Resources’ recommendations to impose a 20 parts per trillion limit for groundwater after conservative board members voiced concerns about the cost of replacing or remediating wells with contamination that exceeds that bench mark.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/03/evers-conservatives-pfas-standards/
USGS and academic scientists examined cyanotoxins and cyanobacterial communities from recurring algae blooms in Kabetogama Lake in Voyageurs National Park, northern Minnesota. They documented the presence of 7 understudied toxins and identified correlations among toxins and cyanobacteria, revealing potential competitive relations among cyanobacteria.
Upper Midwest Water Science Center
Upper Midwest Water Science Center
http://www.usgs.gov/mission-areas/water-resources/news/new-study-highlights-correlations-among-cyanobacteria-and
Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service
https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI1263E8E16E9C.SpecialWeatherStatement.1263E8E20F8CWI.GRBSPSGRB.76da5ce219500ceb3bdff6aeb6e1606c
When it comes to dealing with Michigan’s regulators on environmental justice issues, Detroit environmental law attorney Nick Leonard wants to change the narrative.
Too often when confronted with decisions that impact environmental justice communities, regulators focus on limitations and what they can’t do, Leonard recently told Great Lakes Now.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/03/substantive-change-federal-state-local-agencies/
House Democrats reintroduced legislation to expand protections for Michigan’s water supply and close a loophole in state law allowing corporations to bottle Michigan’s water and ship it elsewhere. Read the full story by Michigan Advance.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20220318-bottled-water
In 1962, Chicago city workers dumped 100 pounds of dye into the river flowing through downtown Chicago. It left the river emerald green for an entire week and kick-started an annual tradition. The city celebrated the 60th anniversary of the event this past weekend. Read the full story by National Public Radio.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20220318-green-chicago-river
With more than 4,000 vessels traveling through the Soo Locks each year, sometimes the biggest mystery when the huge chambers are emptied for annual maintenance is what treasures might be found at the bottom. Now we’ve got answers, thanks to recent finds being shared by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Detroit District. Read the full story by MLive.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20220318-empty-soo-locks
The tourism industry on the north shore of Lake Superior is getting a boost from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation with $450,000 in funding for the Town of Marathon to develop the Pebble Beach tourist area. Read the full story by TB News Watch.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20220318-superior-beach
The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society had one of its most successful seasons ever in 2021 while searching for wrecks. Read the full story by WJBK-TV – Ferndale, MI.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20220318-shipwreck
Starting April 1, underwater spearfishing in Michigan will expand to include the chance to harvest additional species, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Read the full story by MLive.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20220318-spearfishing
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, Soo Area Office will open the Poe Lock at 12:01 a.m., March 25, marking the 2022 Great Lakes shipping season start. Read the full story by WLUC-TV – Suite Ste. Marie, MI.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20220318-soo-locks-open
The Save Our Great Lakes project aims to improve storm water management on Barker’s Island off the Lake Superior coast of Wisconsin. Read the full story by the Superior Telegram.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20220318-island-storm-water
The sites include a plastics manufacturer in Wyandotte, a sewage treatment plant in Jackson, an ice-cream maker in Ludington and a petroleum fuel terminal in St. Clair, according to a recent federal report that reviewed climate risks throughout the nation. Read the full story by Bridge Michigan.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20220318-climate-change
Icebreaking efforts are continuing on the St. Lawrence River in anticipation of the start of the 2022 navigation season. While ice-breaking activity is ongoing, residents are urged to stay off the ice. Officials stated that icebreaking will dislodge pack ice and pose severe dangers to those on the river. Read the full story by InformNNY.com.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20220318-ice-breaking
Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service
https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI1263E8E09378.SpecialWeatherStatement.1263E8E16D70WI.GRBSPSGRB.76da5ce219500ceb3bdff6aeb6e1606c
The recent discovery of a dangerous family of chemicals in Michigan cattle has a statewide environmental group renewing efforts to ban the controversial substance.
The post Michigan Environmental Group pushing for ban on controversial chemical first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/03/18/michigan-environmental-group-pushing-for-ban-on-controversial-chemical/
Great Lakes Echo recently placed second in the College Newspaper of the Year category of a Michigan Press Association contest.
The post Michigan Press Association honors Echo in news contest first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/03/17/michigan-press-association-honors-echo-in-news-contest/
This article was republished here with permission from Great Lakes Echo.
By Arya Dara, Great Lakes Echo
New legislation in Ontario can result in a fine if boats are not cleaned properly when they are moved from one body of water and into another.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/03/ontario-watercraft-regulations-invasive-species/
By Todd Richmond, Associated Press
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin Supreme Court’s swing justice appeared skeptical Thursday about whether to remove a conservative Department of Natural Resources board member who refuses to step down even though his term ended almost a year ago.
Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul sued in August to oust Fred Prehn from the board.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/03/ap-key-justice-dnr-board-member/
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The comment period on a draft analysis of the environmental impact of rerouting an oil and gas pipeline around an American Indian reservation in northern Wisconsin will run for an additional month, state regulators announced Wednesday.
The Enbridge Line 5 pipeline carries oil and natural gas liquids from Superior to Sarnia.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/03/ap-dnr-extends-comment-period-enbridge-reroute/
A practice called regenerative farming could be the next step for sustainable farming in Pennsylvania. It reduces carbon, a greenhouse gas driving global warming, and improves water quality.
The post Sustainable farming practice mitigates climate change impacts first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/03/17/sustainable-farming-practice-mitigates-climate-change-impacts/
By Timberly Ferree, Indiana Environmental Reporter
In the first direct analysis of its kind, a study by Indiana University researchers has found a link between lead in drinking water, specifically from private wells, and juvenile delinquency.
“There’s not been a direct analysis on lead exposure and children’s outcomes later in life before.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/03/study-lead-exposure-juvenile-delinquency/
In Lake Huron’s Les Cheneaux Islands, a school is preserving the craft of building wooden boats.
Opened in 2005, the Great Lakes Boat Building School is located in Cedarville, Michigan, a small town tucked in the scenic bays and natural harbors of the area. A few dozen students a year learn how to build wooden boats.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/03/great-lakes-boat-building-school-grant-funding/
The U.S. and Canadian Coast Guards recently signed to an updated version of Great Lakes Geographic Annex agreement between the two coast guards, an environmental partnership. Read the full story by WIMS – Michigan City, IN.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20220316-coast-guard
In January, the U.S. Army Corps announced $226 million to complete design on the Brandon Road Interbasin Project, an $858 million effort to keep carp out of the Great Lakes. But Great Lakes advocates say more work is needed to close off other pathways for potential invasion, from Great Lakes freighters to recreational boats and online pet shops. Read the full story by Great Lakes Now.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20220316-carp
As several groups of researchers race to bring back Great Lakes grayling, one program recently got a big assist with a $70,000 grant to find the best design for an incubator to produce the fish that hasn’t been in Michigan waters since 1936. Read the full story by Great Lakes Echo.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20220316-grayling
After decades of failure, the tide has finally turned in the battle against invasive species in the Great Lakes. Scientists say the main reason is mandatory saltwater flushing of ship ballast tanks. Read the full story the Anthropocene.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20220316-ballast-water
In the nationwide search for extra nuclear submarine maintenance capability, one proposal would transform two sites located on the shores of Lake Erie in rural Ohio into a big, integrated naval maintenance center. Read the full story by Forbes.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20220316-navy-shipyard
A proposed wind farm, located about eight miles off the coast of Cleveland and first pitched in 2009, would bring six wind turbines to Lake Erie, making it the first freshwater wind farm in North America. But the project is as hated as much as it is loved. Read the full story by the Cleveland Magazine.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20220316-wind-turbine
An environmental bill that would require the removal of pollutants near the shores of Lake Michigan is advancing in the Illinois General Assembly, despite objections from opponents who argue the legislation singles out one company unfairly. Read the full story by the Daily Herald.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20220316-power-plant
Ottawa County, Michigan, is hoping to nearly double the size of Rosy Mound Natural Area, a rustic park popular among beachgoers and hikers. Read the full story by MLive.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20220316-park
Permitted users in the cities of Two Harbors and Grand Marais, Minnesota, take an average of 50 million gallons per day out of Lake Superior, the largest of those users being Northshore Mining. Read the full story WTIP – Grand Marias, MN.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20220316-lake-superior
Permitted users in the cities of Two Harbors and Grand Marais, Minnesota, take an average of 50 million gallons per day out of Lake Superior, the largest of those users being Northshore Mining. Read the full story WTIP – Grand Marias, MN.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20220316-lake-superior
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced Tuesday that the Department’s Economic Development Administration is awarding a $2.7 million CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to the Great Lakes Boat Building School, in Cedarville, Michigan, to construct a 10,000-square-foot school expansion, establish new boat-docking infrastructure, and purchase additional marine electronics testing equipment. Read the full story by WLUC-TV – Marquette, MI.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20220316-boating-school
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced Tuesday that the Department’s Economic Development Administration is awarding a $2.7 million CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to the Great Lakes Boat Building School, in Cedarville, Michigan, to construct a 10,000-square-foot school expansion, establish new boat-docking infrastructure, and purchase additional marine electronics testing equipment. Read the full story by WLUC-TV – Marquette, MI.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20220316-boating-school
The state of Michigan has scrapped a risk study on Enbridge’s Line 5 and fired a researcher working on the study just a week before a first draft was to be released. Read the full story by Michigan Public Radio.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20220316-deq
A new project hopes to find the best design for an incubator to produce the fish that hasn’t been in Michigan waters since 1936. It is part of a multi-step effort by the Michigan Arctic Grayling Initiative, a collaboration of more than 40 partners to make the fish self-sustaining in the Great Lakes.
The post Streamside incubator could help restore grayling to Michigan first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/03/16/streamside-incubator-could-help-restore-grayling-to-michigan/
From lead pipes to PFAs, drinking water contamination is a major issue plaguing cities and towns all around the Great Lakes. Cleaning up contaminants and providing safe water to everyone is an ongoing public health struggle.
Keep up with drinking water-related developments in the Great Lakes area.
Click on the headline to read the full story:
Illinois:
Three of the loan recipients qualified for a total of more than $3 million in principal forgiveness.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/03/drinking-water-news-roundup-illinois-new-york/
This summer, a Great Lakes watchtower will celebrate its 200th birthday as any centenarian should: with cake and ice cream.
The Marblehead Lighthouse sits on Lake Erie’s temperamental shore in Ohio, about 20 miles away from Sandusky. It’s the oldest continually operating lighthouse on the Great Lakes, thanks to the state of Ohio, which, according to the Marblehead Lighthouse Historical Society, took over the maintenance in the 1990s.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/03/lighthouse-restoration/
