Anniversary of the June 11, 2001 Severe Thunderstorms
2021-06-10
Green Bay, WI
https://www.weather.gov/www.weather.gov/grb/061101_severestorm
EPA Fellow’s world travels lead to Duluth
2021-06-09
Prarthana Shankar gets around, and it’s all in the name of science. She has moved from tropical southern India, to California, to Oregon. Her next stop? The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division in Duluth, Minnesota.
Shankar is one of the latest fellows in a partnership with the EPA, the University of Wisconsin-Madison and its Aquatic Sciences Center. The goal of the three-year U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Human Health and the Environment Research Fellows program is to train the next generation of scientists in environmental and ecosystem health. Shankar’s position will last two years.
Along with her EPA mentors Gary Ankley and Dan Villeneuve, Shankar has been working from her home in Oregon since May to understand the risks that per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) pose to freshwater fish and ecosystems. She plans to use fathead minnows and zebrafish in her studies.
Prarthana Shankar, submitted photo.
“In the past few weeks, I’ve developed an interest in understanding the thyroid system,” Shankar said. “PFAS have been shown to have negative effects on the thyroid system, so I’ll be testing that and also seeing if they have higher-level impacts such as on the growth of the fishes.”
PFAS are a class of chemicals of emerging concern. PFAS exposure is linked to human health concerns, including compromised immunity, low birth weight, endocrine disruption and cancer. These chemicals get into the environment from sources like firefighting foam and industrial processes.
Shankar credits her dentist father for her love of science. “He was the kind of person who would look through my school biology books and talk to me about the concepts,” she said.
After growing up in India, Shankar had an opportunity to come to the U.S. to study, which she did. It was then she realized she loved the environment and wanted to be involved in ecological research. She eventually enrolled in California State University-Fullerton, where she majored in biology with a minor in chemistry.
While there, she was chosen for the Southern California Ecosystems Research Program (SCERP), which allows scholars to work on independent projects and present their work at conferences, concluding with a thesis.
“The SCERP program is what really got me into doing research and gave me my first experience in a lab setting,” Shankar said.
Shankar then moved onto Oregon State University in Corvallis, where she completed her Ph.D. program earlier this year. She studied the effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (a class of chemicals that occur naturally in substances such as coal, oil and gas) on zebrafish.
Due to the pandemic, she has not moved to the EPA office in Duluth yet, but looks forward to it in a few months. She has even learned how to cross-county ski in preparation. “This postdoc position is the perfect opportunity to combine my work with my passion for the environment. Corvallis is the coldest place I’ve lived up until now. Moving to Duluth is going to be an adventure!”
The post EPA Fellow’s world travels lead to Duluth first appeared on Wisconsin Sea Grant.
News Releases – Wisconsin Sea Grant
News Releases – Wisconsin Sea Grant
https://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/news/epa-fellows-world-travels-lead-to-duluth/
U.P. city gains 1,000 feet of Lake Superior beach free from utility
2021-06-09
Marquette, Michigan is getting an extra 1,000 feet of Lake Superior shoreline for free in a deal with a utility company. The Marquette City Commission recently voted to accept the land gift from the utility We Energies. Read the full story by MLive.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210609-beach
Sturgeon repopulation efforts resume this summer
2021-06-09
The Conservation Fund confirmed it would resume repopulation efforts of lake sturgeon, including a return trip to Michigan’s Cass River with a new delivery of the fish. The repopulation efforts work toward a long-term goal to reverse the effects that dropped the number of lake sturgeon. Read the full story by the Huron Daily Tribune.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210609-sturgeon
Low water levels along Lake Ontario, St. Lawrence River prompt IJC action, public forums next week
2021-06-09
Extraordinarily dry weather and low water levels on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River have prompted officials to cut outflows at the Moses-Saunders Power Dam in Massena, New York and to host two open forums to discuss the issue with the public. Read the full story by Watertown Daily Times.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210609-ijc
COMMENTARY: Boosting local agriculture good for economy, environment
2021-06-09
U.S. Representative Marcy Kaptur from Toledo, Ohio emphasizes the importance of agriculture in Northern Ohio and calls for assistance for farmers. Read the full story by The Toledo Blade.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210609-kaptur
MSU researchers fear trouble for Great Lakes coastlines, looks for volunteers
2021-06-09
Researchers at Michigan State University are studying changes in the Great Lakes shoreline. To track the changes, MSU is enlisting the help of special volunteers across the state to fly drones with special cameras to capture the changes on the lakefronts. Read the full story by WILX-TV- East Lansing, MI.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210609-drones
With tag 007, ‘James the Muskie’ travels hundreds of miles in Great Lakes, helping DNR along the way
2021-06-09
With the help of anglers and a sophisticated tracking system, scientists have been able to track the whereabouts of difficult to catch sportfish. The tracking system is a collaboration between numerous agencies and provides information on how fish travel hundreds of miles. Read the full story by MLive.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210609-muskie
Critics of Line 5 debut broadcast ads with actor Jeff Daniels saying ‘dangerous pipeline’ needs to go
2021-06-09
Environmental opponents of Line 5 on Tuesday unveiled ads on TV and radio featuring actor and Michigan native Jeff Daniels lambasting it as “an aging, dangerous pipeline” that needs to be shut down for good. Read the full story by The Detroit News.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210609-line5-ads
Great Lakes shorelines still eroding 1-2 feet per year despite lower water levels
2021-06-09
The lake levels are expected to continue to fall over the next six months, but that doesn’t mean things are getting much better. The shorelines are naturally eroding at a pace of a foot or two feet per year. Read the full story by WXYZ-TV-Detroit, MI.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210609-erosion
It’s literally raining PFAS around the Great Lakes, say researchers
2021-06-09
Rain that fell on Ohio this spring contained a surprisingly high amount of toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS, according to raw data from a binational Great Lakes monitoring program that tracks airborne pollution. Read the full story by MLive.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210609-pfas-rain
Winning Work: Great Lakes Now garners awards for collaborations, videography, environmental coverage and more
2021-06-09
Great Lakes Now’s work that appeared on-air, online, and through social media and audience engagement events garnered several awards from the Society of Professional Journalists – metro Detroit chapter.
The honors were announced in a virtual ceremony last night.
“It’s nice to be recognized,” said Sandra Svoboda, program director for the initiative, which includes a monthly TV program carried on dozens of PBS channels and hundreds of Canadian cable providers as well as the GreatLakesNow.org website, an educational initiative and dozens of annual events including Facebook watch parties.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/06/2021-spj-awards/
Butterflies, beaches & a lighthouse
2021-06-09
A look at Peninsula Point in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
The post Butterflies, beaches & a lighthouse first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/06/09/butterflies-beaches-a-lighthouse/
Assessing the U.S. Climate in May 2021
2021-06-09
During May, the average contiguous U.S. temperature was 60.4°F, 0.2°F above the 20th century average.
NCEI News Feed
http://www.ncei.noaa.gov/news/national-climate-202105
Marquette gets 1,000 feet of Great Lakes beach from utility
2021-06-08
MARQUETTE, Mich. (AP) — The largest city in the Upper Peninsula is getting 1,000 feet of valuable shoreline along Lake Superior.
The Marquette City Commission recently voted to accept the land at no cost from We Energies, a utility, the Mining Journal reported.
“There’s no contamination that we’re aware of and we’re not taking on a problem area.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/06/ap-marquette-1000-feet-great-lakes-beach/
Conservation corridor planned for Michigan’s western UP
2021-06-08
MICHIGAMME TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — A conservation corridor with links to existing protected areas is planned for a remote region in Michigan’s western Upper Peninsula.
The nonprofit Nature Conservancy said the 6,172-acre (2,497-hectare) Wilderness Lakes Reserve in the Michigamme Highlands area is being expanded by 4,854 acres (1,964 hectares) of forest and wetlands.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/06/ap-conservation-corridor-planned-michigan/
Marine archaeology research crew up from University of Texas
2021-06-08
By Darby Hinkley, The Alpena News
This article is part of a collaboration between The Alpena News and Great Lakes Now at Detroit Public Television to bring audiences stories about the Great Lakes, especially Lake Huron and its watershed.
ALPENA — A trio of researchers who have been studying the Alpena-Amberley Ridge are joined this month by a group of undergraduate students from the University of Texas at Arlington.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/06/marine-archaeology-research-texas-lake-huron-shipwrecks/
Great Lakes advocates tout Biden’s proposed water, wastewater infrastructure budget
2021-06-07
Over the next two decades, Indiana will need more than $13 billion to repair or replace aging water and wastewater infrastructure according to the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition, which said the Biden administration’s budget plan is a step in the right direction. Read the full story by Indiana Public Media.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210607-biden-budget
Federally endangered bird nesting shuts down portion of Ohio beach
2021-06-07
A pair of piping plovers are nesting at Maumee Bay State Park in Lucas County, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. This is an exciting development for a species that is listed as federally and state endangered and has not had a documented nest in Ohio in at least 80 years. Read the full story by The Scioto Post.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210607-ohio-beach
Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council in Petoskey receives grant from EGLE
2021-06-07
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy has awarded $4.7 million dollars in grants for watershed management projects across the state. Read the full story by WFQX-TV – Cadillac, MI.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210607-funding
134 years later, sunken ship in Lake Michigan ‘sails’ again
2021-06-07
Beneath the waters of Lake Michigan sit the remains of approximately 20 shipwrecks. While the majority are only accessible to those willing to dive beneath the waves, there are a handful that can be seen from the shoreline, and one such sunken ship recently decided it no longer wished to remain at its location, “setting sail” on an unprecedented journey. Read the full story by The Vintage News.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210607-sunken-ship
Workshops planned for Lake Ontario communities to help with planning in event of extreme high water levels
2021-06-07
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation will hold five workshops this month to assist those who live in communities along the Lake Ontario shoreline with planning and long-term protective measures in the event of periodic extreme water levels. Read the full story by WGRZ-TV – Buffalo, NY.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210607-ontario-water
Get ready for ‘chick mania’: Habitat improves for endangered shorebird as lake levels drop
2021-06-07
An endangered shorebird may get a reprieve after facing threats from high water on the Great Lakes, as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says there’s now more suitable habitat for piping plover to nest as lake levels are subsiding. Read the full story by Radio Iowa.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210607-plover-chicks
Researchers testing underwater sound to block invasive Mississippi River fish
2021-06-07
An experiment is underway at a Mississippi River to see if sound can keep invasive carp from moving through a lock and dam near Keokuk, Iowa. Read the full story by Radio Iowa.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210607-carp-testing
Researchers testing underwater sound to block invasive Mississippi River fish
2021-06-07
An experiment is underway at a Mississippi River to see if sound can keep invasive carp from moving through a lock and dam near Keokuk, Iowa. Read the full story by Radio Iowa.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210607-carp-testing
Great Lakes Moment: The US-Canada ecosystem-focused approach to restoration
2021-06-07
Great Lakes Moment is a monthly column written by Great Lakes Now Contributor John Hartig. Publishing the author’s views and assertions does not represent endorsement by Great Lakes Now or Detroit Public Television.
The United States and Canada now have over 40 years of collaborative history in use of an ecosystem approach to protect and restore the Great Lakes.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/06/international-ecoystem-approach-restoration-great-lakes/
NCEI Collaborates on North American Drought Indices and Indicators Assessment
2021-06-07
NCEI collaborates on North American Drought Indices and Indicators Assessment.
NCEI News Feed
http://www.ncei.noaa.gov/news/ncei-collaborates-north-american-drought-indices-and-indicators-assessment
Algal blooms close 5 Madison-area Wisconsin beaches
2021-06-07
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Algal blooms have forced health officials to close five Madison-area beaches.
The Wisconsin State Journal reported Friday that the first tests of the season revealed blue-green algae blooms at beaches at BB Clarke, Olbrich and Warner parks and the Hudson Park lake access point.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/06/ap-algae-blooms-wisconsin-beaches/
Habitat Focus: To help the birds, nonprofit organization looks to Great Lakes habitats
2021-06-07
There’s a bird emergency in the Great Lakes region, according to the National Audubon Society, but the nonprofit bird conservation organization is hoping to change that.
“This really is a bird emergency,” said Nat Miller, Audubon Great Lakes’ director of conservation. “We don’t think that’s hyperbole. As often is the case, birds currently serve as an indicator for larger environmental problems and today they’re telling us it’s a critical time now to act to save the wildlife, water and way of life in the Great Lakes region.”
In an effort to reduce this alarming trend, scientists and conservationists with The National Audubon Society recently released a wide-ranging and comprehensive blueprint to address climate change, pollution and other detrimental man-made effects on Great Lakes wetlands and coastal areas – and their bird populations.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/06/birds-wetlands-coastal-great-lakes-habitat-restoration/
Skullduggery at the border: Feds crack skull-smuggling operation
2021-06-07
The owner of the Old Cavern Boutique in Montreal has been arrested on charges of illegally trafficking in wildlife parts and sending them from Canada into the United States.
The post Skullduggery at the border: Feds crack skull-smuggling operation first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/06/07/skullduggery-at-the-border-feds-crack-skull-smuggling-operation/
Air Quality Alert issued June 06 at 4:46AM CDT by NWS
2021-06-06
...AIR QUALITY ADVISORY ISSUED FOR MANITOWOC, CALUMET, KEWAUNEE, BROWN, DOOR, SOUTHERN OCONTO, AND SOUTHERN MARINETTE COUNTIES... The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has issued an Air Quality Advisory for Ozone, which will be in effect until 11:00 PM CDT this evening. This advisory affects people living in Manitowoc, Calumet, Kewaunee, Brown, Door, southern Oconto, and
Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service
https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI1261A5FF3908.AirQualityAlert.1261A60DABDCWI.GRBAQAGRB.ec8586610c017e3b61503aff62a72b6b
17th Anniversary of the June 7, 2007 Tornadoes and Extreme Hail Event
2021-06-06
Green Bay, WI
https://www.weather.gov/www.weather.gov/grb/060707_tornadoes
Anniversary of the June 7, 2007 Tornadoes and Extreme Hail Event
2021-06-06
Green Bay, WI
https://www.weather.gov/www.weather.gov/grb/060707_tornadoes
Air Quality Alert issued June 05 at 10:01AM CDT by NWS
2021-06-05
...AIR QUALITY ADVISORY ISSUED FOR MANITOWOC, CALUMET, KEWAUNEE, BROWN, DOOR, SOUTHERN OCONTO, AND SOUTHERN MARINETTE COUNTIES... The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has issued an Air Quality Advisory for Ozone, which will be in effect until 11:00 PM CDT June 6. This advisory affects people living in Manitowoc, Calumet, Kewaunee, Brown, Door, southern Oconto, and southern
Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service
https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI1261A5F0CF94.AirQualityAlert.1261A5FF9C40WI.GRBAQAGRB.ec8586610c017e3b61503aff62a72b6b
Beach Hazards Awareness Week – June 5-11
2021-06-05
Green Bay, WI
https://www.weather.gov/grb/beachhazardawarenessweek2022
Beach Hazards Awareness Week
2021-06-05
Green Bay, WI
https://www.weather.gov/grb/beachhazardawarenessweek2021
Air Quality Alert issued June 04 at 3:54PM CDT by NWS
2021-06-04
...AIR QUALITY ADVISORY ISSUED FOR MANITOWOC, CALUMET, KEWAUNEE, BROWN, DOOR, SOUTHERN OCONTO, AND SOUTHERN MARINETTE COUNTIES... The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has issued an Air Quality Advisory for Ozone which will remain in effect from 10:00 AM CDT June 5 until 11:00 PM CDT June 6. This advisory affects people living in Manitowoc, Calumet, Kewaunee, Brown,
Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service
https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI1261A5E26558.AirQualityAlert.1261A5F1B990WI.GRBAQAGRB.ec8586610c017e3b61503aff62a72b6b
Drinking Water News Roundup: Illinois community on bottled water for 2 years, Ohio bill hurting streams, infrastructure investments
2021-06-04
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:
- University Park residents with lead in drinking water forced to use bottled water for nearly 2 years – ABC 7 Chicago
UNIVERSITY PARK, Ill.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/06/drinking-water-bottled-lead-infrastructure-bill-streams/
Manitoulin ferry to set sail on June 8
2021-06-04
Operating in Georgian Bay in the upper end of Lake Huron, the Chi-Cheemaun ferry will resume operations on Tuesday, June 8. The vessel typically runs from May to October between South Baymouth on Manitoulin Island and Tobermory on the Bruce Peninsula. Read the full story by Soo Today.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210604-ferry
Lake Superior water levels nearing normal
2021-06-04
The International Lake Superior Board of Control reported the latest water levels Thursday, noting Lake Superior is now just 3.9 inches above the 102-year average for June 1. The big lake is now 6 inches below the June 1 level from 2020. Read the full story by the Duluth News-Tribune.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210604-water-levels
University of Windsor and partners receive $1 million to combat microplastics pollution
2021-06-04
A team of scientists headed by a University of Windsor researcher has received C$1 million in funding to fight microplastics pollution. A key to the research, aimed at developing new tools to test, analyze and track the pollutant in Ontario, will be determining where it all comes from. Read the full story by the Windsor Star.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210604-microplastics
Buoys back in Bay of Green Bay will bring water insights to boaters, and researchers
2021-06-04
This week the Wisconsin DNR, UW-Green Bay, UW-Milwaukee, and NEW Water partnered to put the Green Bay West and East buoys back on the water. The buoys are fundamental tools used to measure current weather conditions like wind speed, water temperatures, air temperatures, and wave height. Read the full story by WFRV-TV- Green Bay, WI.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210604-buoys
Grand Haven elementary students complete project on protecting watershed
2021-06-04
Grand Haven Area Public Schools elementary students recently partnered with Grand Valley State University’s Groundswell program to help protect the Grand River watershed in western Michigan. Students conducted hands-on learning to explore a variety of environmental topics. Read the full story by WXMI-TV- Grand Rapids, MI.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210604-students
Saginaw Bay sturgeon restoration receives grant to stock iconic lake sturgeon
2021-06-04
The Conservation Fund and the Bay Area Community Foundation has presented Sturgeon For Tomorrow Black Lake Chapter with an $8,000.00 grant to purchase food for lake sturgeon at the Black River Sturgeon Facility and associated expenses with raising lake sturgeon. Read the full story by WSGW-Carrollton, MI.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210604-sturgeon
Steel output up 9.5% this year, more than 50% over same time in 2020
2021-06-04
Great Lakes steel production rose by 14,000 tons last week, while U.S. steel mills exceeded 80% capacity utilization, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute. Read the full story by the Northwest Indiana Times.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210604-steel
Main road, campsites reopen at Fisherman’s Island State Park along Lake Michigan
2021-06-04
A popular state park along Lake Michigan is set to reopen. Fisherman’s Island State Park in Michigan is set to fully reopen after high water and storm damage that caused the partial closure of its main access road and campsites. Read the full story by MLive.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210604-michigan-park
Michigan responds on Line 5: ‘This case is a state-law action through and through’
2021-06-04
The dispute over the cross-border Line 5 pipeline is entirely for Michigan to deal with, the state’s attorney general argues in a legal brief released Wednesday that flatly rejects Canada’s depiction of a foreign-policy matter that Ottawa and the White House must resolve. Read the full story by The Canadian Press.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210604-line5
Beloved rare piping plovers suffer setback after predator eats eggs at Montrose Beach
2021-06-04
A pair of Great Lakes Piping Plovers that have captured the hearts of Chicago nature lovers by nesting each year at Montrose Beach have been dealt a setback, as a predator has apparently eaten the birds’ eggs from their nest. Read the full story by WMAQ-TV- Chicago, IL.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210604-plovers
Great Lakes algae threatens air quality
2021-06-04
Toxins from harmful algal blooms are known to pollute water, but now researchers are looking at how they harm Great Lakes air and the implications for human health. Read the full story by the Great Lakes Echo.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210604-algae-air
Biden’s budget would increase funding for Great Lakes, water infrastructure
2021-06-04
Advocates for the Great Lakes see President Biden’s budget and jobs plan as an opportunity to boost funding for restoration projects and outdated water infrastructure in the region. Read the full story by Wisconsin Public Radio.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210604-infrastructure