Coast Guard warning about weak ice on Lake Erie and Lake Ontario
2021-03-15
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210315-ice
Bad River Band wildlife specialist says state leaders need to learn from tribes on wolf relationship
2021-03-15
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In: Daily News
Lake Effect’s Ben Binversie speaks with Edith Leoso, tribal historic preservation officer for the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, about her tribe’s deep historical relationship with the wolf, or Ma’iingan. Then, Abi Fergus, a wildlife specialist who works for the Bad River Band, shares the differences between Wisconsin’s management of wolves and the tribe’s relationship plan. Wisconsin recently held its first gray wolf hunt since 2014. Read the full story by WUWM – Milwaukee, WI
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210315-wolves
The S.S. Badger is ready for a full season of taking cars across the lake this year
2021-03-15
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In: Daily News
If you’re looking forward to taking the car ferry across Lake Michigan this year, the dates for the 2021 season have been announced. Michigan’s historic S.S. Badger says there will be a full season of trips across the lake after the pandemic shortened the season last year. Read the full story by WTRC – Michiana, IN
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210315-badger
Michigan seamen kick off shipping season with Blessing of the Fleet at Mariners’ Church
2021-03-15
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In: Daily News
The Mariners’ Church of Detroit and boaters from around Michigan are welcoming the shipping season, starting with its annual ‘Blessing of the Fleet” service on Sunday, hosted with certain COVID-19 restrictions in place. The Blessing of the Fleet is a historic tradition that includes an Honor Guard of Shipmasters, Coast Guard, and military personnel, who participate in a procession alongside Michigan Sea Cadets. Read the full story by the Detroit Free Press.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210315-blessing
Icebreaking operations in full swing on Great Lakes, Coast Guard says
2021-03-15
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In: Daily News
Two Canadian Coast Guard ships – the CGS Samuel Risley and the CCGS Griffon – are currently breaking a path through ice for commercial vehicles on Lake Huron.. Read the full story by the CBC.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210315-icebreaking
Whitmer offers plan to supply propane after pipeline closes
2021-03-15
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In: Daily News
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration released a plan Friday to make sure Michigan will have enough propane if a controversial pipeline is shut down. The strategy addresses a frequent objection to the Democratic governor’s demand that Enbridge Inc. decommission its Line 5, a leading carrier of natural gas liquids that are refined into propane to heat many Michigan homes. Read the full story by The Associated Press.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210315-propane
The U.S. government is begging you to destroy moss balls
2021-03-12
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In: Daily News
Pet stores in 32 American states were recently found to be selling moss balls studded with invasive zebra mussels, and the U.S. government wants the mollusks gone, one mangled moss ball at a time. Read the full story by Atlas Obscura.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210312-balls
Biden EPA to reconsider Trump rule on lead in drinking water
2021-03-12
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In: Daily News
The Biden administration said Wednesday it was delaying the effective date of a policy intended to prevent lead pollution of drinking water, continuing a decades-old debate over how to remove a serious health hazard to children. Read the full story by The Associated Press.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210312-bidenepa
Great Lakes water levels tracking below record-setting 2020, but still above average
2021-03-12
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In: Daily News
Great Lakes water levels continue to track below 2020′s record levels, although Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie remain well above long-term average levels. Read the full story by MLive.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210312-tracking
U of M team makes discovery about Lake Erie dead zone
2021-03-12
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In: Daily News
New research finds the annual dead zone in Lake Erie is getting a boost that makes it worse very quickly. Read the full story by Great Lakes Echo.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210312-deadzone
Up North lighthouse likely to be swallowed by Lake Michigan after century of neglect
2021-03-12
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In: Daily News
After a century of abandonment, after seasons of water and ice tearing at its base, the Waugoshance Lighthouse in Emmet County, Michigan, will be swallowed by Lake Michigan. The only mystery is when. Read the full story by the Detroit Free Press.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210312-nolighthouse
Proposed plan for Leelanau State Park to make some changes, preserve rustic character
2021-03-12
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In: Daily News
A proposed new general management plan for Leelanau State Park on Lake Michigan in Northport, Michigan, will look into making a few updates without changing the park’s rustic nature. Read the full story by MLive.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210312-rustic
New weather forecasts coming for outer Apostle Islands
2021-03-12
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In: Daily News
The National Weather Service in Duluth, Minnesota, is starting a new marine forecast zone March 30 specific to the waters of Lake Superior surrounding the Apostle Islands. Read the full story by the Duluth News Tribune.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210312-apostle
How safe is it, really, to walk on Minnesota’s iced-over lakes?
2021-03-12
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In: Daily News
One of the defining sights of a Minnesota winter is looking out on a frozen lake and seeing people sitting on stools, fishing rods in their hands. But how safe is it, really, to walk on the iced-over lakes? Read the full story by the Star Tribune.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210312-icylake
Trumpeter swans on the rise in Ohio, but bird remains on state-threatened list
2021-03-12
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In: Daily News
The trumpeter swan, the white-feathered bird that wades through wetlands, remains on Ohio’s threatened species list, though its population is growing, including in Northeast Ohio. Read the full story by Cleveland.com.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210312-swans
Kincardine, Ontario, beach safety group pitches ‘stoplight’ technology
2021-03-12
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In: Daily News
A group from Kincardine, Ontario, is pitching some life-saving ideas to improve safety at their beach and pier on Lake Huron. Read the full story by CTV News.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210312-stoplight
Great Lakes ice coverage: Trending downward since 1970
2021-03-11
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In: Daily News
According to new research from Climate Central, a nonprofit news organization that analyzes and reports on climate science, although there are still high coverage years, the annual maximum ice coverage on the Great Lakes is 22 percent lower on average, compared to 50 years ago, with years of low ice cover becoming more frequent. Read the full story by WNEM- TV – Bay City, MI.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210311-ice-coverage
Conservation experts wary of legalizing trotlines and juglines
2021-03-11
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In: Daily News
Some anglers and conservationists oppose a controversial catfishing bill introduced in the Michigan Legislature. Read the full story by Great Lakes Echo.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210311-fishing
Michigan congressional members press Biden to keep Enbridge’s Line 5 operational
2021-03-11
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In: Daily News
Five Michigan congressional members signed a letter Wednesday pressing President Joe Biden to stop Enbridge’s Line 5, an oil pipeline, from being potentially shut down in May. Read the full story by MLive.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210311-line5
Wisconsin Water Week: Conference connects researchers & public to help critical resource
2021-03-11
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In: Daily News
2021 Wisconsin Water Week is a conference meant to bring river and lake lovers from all over Wisconsin together to share research, educational strategies and new ideas about how to care for the water of the state. Read and listen to the full story by Wisconsin Public Radio.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210311-wisconsin-water-week
Under new ownership, the SS Badger is expected to run as usual in 2021, with precautions
2021-03-11
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In: Daily News
The SS Badger will carry passengers and cargo in the Great Lakes from May 20 through Oct. 10 this year and will run at a full 600-person capacity. Read the full story by Manitowoc Herald Times.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210311-ss-badger
U.S. Coast Guard recruits Alder to break ice on Lake Superior
2021-03-11
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In: Daily News
Step one in prepping for the 2021 shipping season in the Twin Ports started Wednesday as the U.S. Coast Guard broke up ice with the cutter Alder. Read the full story by KBJR-TV- Duluth, MN.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210311-coast-guard
The loneliest place in North America is in Michigan
2021-03-11
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In: Daily News
The Stannard Rock Lighthouse, located 25 miles from the shore of Marquette in Michigan’s upper peninsula, has the longest distance separating a lighthouse from shore on the continent. Read the full story by WKFR – Kalamazoo, MI.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210311-loneliest-place
Share your thoughts on Cuyahoga River with Ohio EPA
2021-03-11
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In: Daily News
The Ohio Lake Erie Commission and Ohio Environmental Protection Agency are seeking public comments on the proposed removal of a beneficial use impairment within the Cuyahoga River Area of Concern. Read the full story by the Akron Beacon Journal.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210311-cuyahoga-river
Along flood-prone Lake Ontario, residents have just one wish: a normal year
2021-03-11
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In: Daily News
After three years of extraordinarily high levels on Lake Ontario that flooded properties and marinas, residents are hoping for some normal this year. Read the full story by The Syracuse Post-Standard.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210311-lake-ontario
Kaptur subcommittee hears pitches for water infrastructure funding
2021-03-11
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In: Daily News
American infrastructure that manages water for drinking, agriculture, transportation, and flood control faces a mounting backlog of maintenance needs, witnesses and members of a congressional subcommittee chaired by Ohio U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D., Toledo) said during a two-hour online hearing Wednesday. Read the full story by the Toledo Blade.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210311-kaptur
Regulatory gaps toxic to Aamjiwnaang First Nation
2021-03-10
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In: Daily News
The Aamjiwnaang First Nation in Canada suffers from high exposure to toxic contaminants from nearby chemical plants in Sarnia, Ontario. Members are fighting for policy changes to overcome shortcomings in Canadian toxic chemical regulations that have failed to protect indigenous community members. Read the full story by the Anishinabek News.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210310-gaps
COMMENTARY: Why an extra 1 1⁄2 acres of lakefront protection for a pair of piping plovers should matter to every Chicagoan
2021-03-10
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In: Daily News
The presence of the nesting piping plover pair in Chicago, Illinois, is the culmination of an environmental success story that began 20 years ago when a plant called lakeshore rush took hold on Montrose Beach. The Chicago Park District stopped grooming that section of beach to protect the rush and something remarkable happened; other rare plants emerged from the sand and began to spread. Read the full story by The Chicago Sun Times.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210310-plover
Great Lakes Great Responsibility hosts cleanup in Downtown Alpena
2021-03-10
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In: Daily News
A northern Michigan organization is hosting community trash pick-up events to raise awareness and inspire action to care for the Great Lakes. Read the full story by WBKB-TV – Thunder Bay, MI.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210310-cleanup
Great Lakes Great Responsibility hosts cleanup in Downtown Alpena
2021-03-10
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In: Daily News
A northern Michigan organization is hosting community trash pick-up events to raise awareness and inspire action to care for the Great Lakes. Read the full story by WBKB-TV – Thunder Bay, MI.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210310-cleanup
Environmentalists demand Biden shut down the Line 3 pipeline
2021-03-10
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In: Daily News
A recent letter to President Joe Biden from environmental and tribal groups argues the Line 3 pipeline was “inappropriately permitted” by the Trump Administration and is demanding that he shut down the pipeline by revoking Line 3’s presidential permit. Read the full story by Green Matters.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210310-line-3
The Detroit River is clear, so what can you spot?
2021-03-10
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In: Daily News
Experts attribute the Detroit River’s increasingly clear waters to clean up and remediation efforts along the river that have improved water quality. Read the full story by CBC News.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210310-detroit-river
Study identifies ‘crisis ecoregion’
2021-03-10
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In: Daily News
A new study by the Nature Conservancy of Canada has designated southwestern Ontario as one of nine regions of Canada whose biodiversity is most in need of protection. Decades of intensive farming and population growth have eroded the region’s natural areas and shrunk habitats for already at-risk wildlife. Read the full story by The Brantford Expositor.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210310-ecoregion
Invasive zebra mussels turned up in pet stores. Fisheries biologists worry it’s a new path to destruction
2021-03-10
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In: Daily News
The discovery of invasive zebra mussels nestled in balls of moss in multiple pet stores across the country has wildlife officials scrambling to contain what could be a new destructive breach in the nation’s decades old fight to control the mussels. Read the full story by WLRN – Miami, FL.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210310-moss-balls
Judge OKs EPA request to review whether PolyMet ‘may affect’ Fond du Lac Band
2021-03-10
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In: Daily News
A federal judge approved the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal to study potential effects of PolyMet’s copper-nickel mine in Minnesota on the downstream Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. Read the full story by the Duluth News Tribune.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210310-polymet
Too few farmers are curbing pollution in Lake Erie. Should they be forced?
2021-03-10
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In: Daily News
Voluntary agricultural conservation programs have failed to effectively reduce fertilizer run-off that fuels Lake Erie’s toxic algal blooms, leading many environmental groups to advocate for compulsory regulations to better protect the lakes. Read the full story by Great Lakes Now.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210310-runoff
Virtual walleyes fight new threats to real ones
2021-03-10
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In: Daily News
New computer simulation technology enables scientists to study how toxic chemicals harm walleye populations in Lake Erie. These simulations improve expert’s ability to clean up contaminants and to protect walleye. Read the full story by Great Lakes Echo.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210310-walleye
Lake Superior winter: Researchers belatedly turn their eyes to the impact of warming winters
2021-03-10
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In: Daily News
Scientists are studying the implications of decreased ice coverage and warmer water temperatures on Lake Superior. Once considered pristine, Lake Superior’s ecosystem is sensitive to small temperature changes that could increase the occurrence of harmful algal blooms on the lake and impact the regional economy. Read the full story by Great Lakes Now.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210310-winter
Swimming, kayaking and a floating restaurant: Proposal unveiled for a refreshed ‘world class’ waterfront at Parliament and Queens Quay
2021-03-09
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In: Daily News
Swimming from Toronto’s downtown waterfront — a health-risking feat a generation ago — could be part of a redeveloped “Parliament Slip” project that would also feature kayaking, a floating restaurant and more. Read the full story by the Toronto Star.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210309-waterfront-toronto
Eat the Fish enters new business waters due to pandemic
2021-03-09
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In: Daily News
In 2018, Eat the Fish launched and began selling mostly locally harvested fish. The COVID-19 pandemic dealt a major blow to the Eat the Fish business plan. Now the business is trying a community supported fishery. Read the full story by CBC.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210309-eat-fish
Lorain mayor, staff seek development examples in Sandusky
2021-03-09
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In: Daily News
The city of Sandusky may have some lessons to help future redevelopment of Lorain, Ohio. The goal was to see examples that could guide planning efforts for Lorain’s waterfront and potentially moving City Hall. Read the full story by the Morning Journal.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210309-lorain-development
Why is there blue ice at the Straits of Mackinac?
2021-03-09
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In: Daily News
Tourists have been flocking to the Straits of Mackinac, where tons of blue ice chunks have been stacking up along the shoreline. This is a phenomenon that doesn’t happen every year but isn’t completely new to the Straits. Read the full story by WOOD-TV- Grand Rapids, MI.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210309-blue-ice
Sediment flow through Morrow Dam enough to fill 112 Olympic swimming pools, expert says
2021-03-09
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In: Daily News
A Kalamazoo River expert said his measurements show the total amount of sediment build up in the Kalamazoo River may be much worse than estimates reported by the owner of the Morrow Dam. Read the full story by WWMT-TV- Kalamazoo, MI.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210309-sediment
Land Trust Alliance backs Thousand Island Land Trust conservation efforts within the Frontenac Arch
2021-03-09
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In: Daily News
For over two decades, the Thousand Islands Land Trust has been focused on land and water preservation in the Crooked Creek watershed between Alexandria Bay and Chippewa Bay. These areas are one of the Thousand Islands’ most ecologically important landscapes. Read the full story by NNY Living.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210309-land-trust
Milwaukee kicks off street sweeping as melting snow reveals lingering trash
2021-03-09
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In: Daily News
It was bound to happen: The snow is finally melting. But with that snow, the trash beneath is revealed. Now begins the effort to clean up the trash before it makes its way into local waterways. Read the full story by WTMJ-TV- Milwaukee, WI.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210309-street-sweep
Canadian minister to Whitmer: Keeping Line 5 open is ‘non-negotiable’
2021-03-09
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In: Daily News
The Canadian government is making waves again about Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s attempt to shut down Line 5, but this time the saber rattling is coming from a cabinet member of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s administration. Read the full story by The Detroit News.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210309-line-5
Massive filter keeps Detroit River contaminants in place
2021-03-09
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In: Daily News
Thanks to a spongy M&M-like technology, contaminated soil in the Detroit River downstream of the MacArthur Bridge has been contained. Read the full story by the Great Lakes Echo.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210309-detroit-contaminants
Development drives Village of Somers’ request to draw water from Lake Michigan
2021-03-09
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In: Daily News
The Village of Somers in Kenosha County, Wisconsin submitted an application for a water diversion to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources last month as part of compliance with the Great Lakes Compact. Read the full story by Wisconsin Public Radio.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210309-water-draw
Bird watchers take advantage of ‘bonus weekend’ at wildlife refuge
2021-03-08
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In: Daily News
Dozens of bird watchers flocked to the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge to take advantage of the “bonus” Wildlife Drive opening this past weekend. The drive drew a steady stream of vehicles from the public throughout the daylight hours catching glimpses of migrating ducks and the lush natural wetlands off the western coast of Lake Erie. According to researchers, vehicle traffic has actually been found to be less intrusive to wildlife populations than people outside of their vehicles. Read the full story by Port Clinton News Herald.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210308-bird-watching-refuge
New campground under construction at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park
2021-03-08
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In: Daily News
The new campground is named as a nod to the many shipwrecks along that stretch of the Lake Superior shore. The campsite will have 46 sites with electric service, and a modern shower and bathroom facility, and includes a parking lot and access to numerous hiking and biking trails. Read the full story by MPR News.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210308-campground