The mayor of Waukegan, Illinois, is chairing the recently formed Mayors Water Equity Commission of the binational Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, exploring ways to make fresh water more accessible and less costly. Read the full story by The Lake County News-Sun.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20201207-waukegan-water-quality
Lake Superior water levels continued to drop in November, but more slowly than usual, as the big lake continues with higher-than-normal water levels. Read the full story by the Duluth News Tribune.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20201207-superior-water-level
A new 214-acre “quiet” recreation area on Lake Michigan and featuring a large inland lake near Muskegon, Michigan, could be open to the public next year. Read the full story by MLive.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20201207-muskegon-park
The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, a water safety nonprofit, is rolling out an online learning program to give water safety presentations to schools throughout the Great Lakes region. Read the full story by the Northwest Indiana TImes.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20201207-water-safety
A project supported by the Stratford Perth Community Foundation in Ontario is helping landowners in the region shore up their properties to provide environmental benefits, add bank stability, and improve the quality of water that ultimately ends up in Lake Huron. Read the full story by The Beacon Herald.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20201207-restoration-project
The Saugeen Ojibway Nation has now been joined by more partners in an effort to stop the Town of South Bruce Peninsula, Ontario, from cutting back the dunes at Sauble Beach on Lake Huron and installing a concrete-block retaining wall. Read the full story by The Owen Sound Sun Times.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20201207-sauble-beach
A Minnesota regulatory panel on Friday denied a request from two tribes to prevent Enbridge Energy from moving forward with its contentious Line 3 crude oil pipeline replacement, which broke ground this week after receiving its final state permit. Read the full story by the Associated Press.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20201207-line-3
The government of Ontario estimates that “hundreds of thousands” of the province’s lakes, islands, beaches, bays and other geographic features still don’t have an official name, and anyone can make a name submission to the Ontario Geographic Names Board. Read the full story by CBC.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20201207-ontario-lakes
Michigan’s outdoor recreation is expected to get a boost of nearly $37.8 million in 2021, and Muskegon County is the biggest winner of funds with a single grant for $5 million. Read the full story by MLive.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20201204-michigan-recreation-grant
The Lower Menominee River remediation project, located in Michigan’s western Upper Peninsula, has been officially delisted as an Area of Concern under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. However, there is work still to be done. Read the full story by WLUC-TV – Negaunee, MI.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20201204-michigan-river-remediation
St. Clair County, Michigan, has secured funding to acquire a 10-acre parcel along the North Channel of the St. Clair River with help from Six Rivers Land Conservancy. Read the full story by The Voice.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20201204-michigan-land-conservation
The Harvest Spirit is anchored in Canadian waters after having run aground in the Detroit River near Grosse Ile, Michigan, on Dec. 3. Up to 18 vessels had anchored and were awaiting passage during the incident. Read the full story by The Detroit News.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20201204-freighter-shipping
A crustacean is invading the Great Lakes and eating plankton, leaving small fish nothing to feed on. Native to the Baltic Sea region in Russia, the water flea reached Lake Ontario in the early 1980s, and Lake Superior by 1987. Read the full story by The Science Times.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20201204-invasive-species-water-flea
Enbridge Energy has all the permits it needs to start construction on a controversial new crude oil pipeline in Minnesota, more than five years after the Canadian company first asked state regulators to approve the Line 3 project, but hurdles still remain. View the full story by MinnPost.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20201204-enbridge-line-3
The U.S. House on Thursday approved legislation to require the updating of Great Lakes environmental maps for use in response to an oil spill. The maps, which are maintained by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, summarize resources near the lakeshore like shellfish beds, marshes, tidal flats, public beaches, parks and endangered and threatened species that would be at risk in oil spill. Read the full story by The Detroit News.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20201204-erie-threat-priorities
Environmental groups created a document that prioritizes the major threats to the Lake Erie watershed and includes recommendations on how to preserve water quality. The collaborative document was created to help guide government officials on the protection of Lake Erie, Presque Isle Bay, and their tributaries. Read the full story by Erie News Now.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20201204-erie-threat-priorities
Republican lawmakers have advanced legislation that would reestablish the state of Michigan’s authority to manage development along the Great Lakes coastline as part of a bill that aims to simplify erosion protection permitting for homeowners at the beach. Read the full story by MLive.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20201204-coastline-erosion
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) is extending its review of the Line 5 tunnel until January 2021 to allow for more time to process public comments, technical information and recommendations from the State Historic Preservation Office. Read the full story by Michigan Radio.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20201203-line5-tunnel
Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s action to revoke Enbridge’s Line 5 easement is an overdue and necessary step towards protecting the Great Lakes and ensuring Anishinaabe communities will have the ability to fish, work and recreate on the Straits of Mackinaw for generations to come. Read the full story by the Lansing State Journal.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20201203-anishinaabe-line5
Enbridge Energy began construction on its Line 3 crude oil pipeline replacement in Minnesota on Tuesday, a day after state regulators approved the final permit for the $2.6 billion project amid legal challenges from local activist and Indigenous groups. Read the full story by Great Lakes Now.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20201203-line3
The recent “State of the Strait” report described how environmental clean-up efforts have improved the Detroit River and western Lake Erie, but warned that the waters are “at a defining moment” as algal blooms continue to plague the waters. Read the full story by the Toledo Blade.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20201203-state-of-strait
A freighter ran aground early Wednesday in the lower Detroit River near Grosse Ile causing a vessel attempting to avoid it to hit bottom and a logjam for other ships rushing to move cargo ahead of the close of the shipping season. Read the full story by The Detroit News.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20201203-ship-aground
Shipwreck hunter Ross Richardson located another shipwreck at the bottom of Lake Michigan near Pyramid Point at the Sleeping Bear Dunes in Northern Michigan. The Jarvis Lord sunk 135 years ago while carrying iron ore from St. Ignace to Chicago. Read the full story by WWUP-TV – 9&10 News.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20201203-jarvis-lord
With more students – and grown-ups – doing their work remotely these days, some of Ludington, Michigan’s, favorite tourist spots have pulled together a large lineup of remote learning and entertainment options. Read the full story by MLive.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20201203-ludington
By acting to shutdown Line 5 across the Mackinaw Straits, Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Attorney General Dana Nessel are effectively protecting the “public trust” in Michigan’s waters and natural resource. Read the full story by the Lansing State Journal.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20201203-line5-commentary-2
The International Joint Commission announced that the International Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River board will be reformed, reducing the number of members to six – three from Canada and three from the United States. The reformed group will seek input from a more-inclusive advisory body. Read the full story by the Toronto Star.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20201203-ijc-restructure
The St. Lawrence Eastern Lake Ontario Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (SLELO PRISM) is offering an online presentation about invasive species that threaten local areas, and ways for residents to help protect lands and waters against these species. Read the full story by the Watertown Daily Times.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20201203-is-webinar
Four months after it was cut free of its old water-logged foundation and lifted away to wait out its new perch, Fishtown’s oldest shanty was recently settled back into place along the Leland River in northwest Michigan. Read the full story by MLive.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20201202-fishtown-shanty
In Wisconsin, construction has started on the two pipelines that will carry Lake Michigan drinking water from Milwaukee to Waukesha and treated wastewater back towards the lake. It’s expected to take almost three years to finish the diversion project aimed at providing Waukesha with a reliable source of clean water. Read the full story by WUWM- Milwaukee, WI.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20201202-water-pipeline
President-elect Joe Biden should focus on threats to the Great Lakes. One way to support is a robust endorsement of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative that includes dramatically increased funding for the project. Read the full story by The Capital Times.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20201202-biden-glri
The owner of a barge that sank and spilled oil into Grand Traverse Bay this week told the U.S. Coast Guard that a salvage effort to refloat the vessel is planned as soon as the weather allows. Read the full story by MLive.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20201202-oil-spill
The Prince Edward County Field Naturalists heard from a senior research scientist with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, whose presentation focused on the changing face of the Great Lakes with specific focus on Lake Ontario. Read the full story by Prince Edward County Live.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20201202-ontario-changing
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) is providing $800,000 to expand an ongoing COVID-19 detection program in wastewater. Read the full story by Michigan Radio.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20201202-covid-wastewater
The Milwaukee Bucks unveiled the official look of their 2020-21 “Great Lakes Blue” alternate city edition uniforms Tuesday. Inspired by Milwaukee’s meaning as “the gathering place by the water,” this year’s jersey emphasizes the city’s location along the shore of Lake Michigan. Read the full story by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20201202-giannis-mvp
Eleven mayors from major Great Lakes and St. Lawrence cities will participate in a newly-formed Mayors Water Equity Commission. The commission’s goal will be to address a range of water issues, including access, affordability, community and economic benefits from water infrastructure investments and community impacts due to climate change. Read the full story by the Windsor Star.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20201202-water-commission
Water conservation advocacy groups in Michigan expressed outrage over the state’s recent dismissal of their appeal of the decision allowing Nestle Waters North America to increase the amount of groundwater it was withdrawing for bottled water. Read the full story by Great Lakes Now.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20201202-bottled-water
High lake levels, strong winds and powerful waves have caused millions of dollars in damage to the Great Lakes shorelines. Beaches are being washed away, homes flooded, and treasured recreational spots have been reduced to rubble. Read the full story by WLS-TV- Chicago, IL.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20201202-fragile
The feature story of National Geographic magazine’s December 2020 issue puts a spotlight on the Great Lakes. Great Lakes Now News Director Natasha Blakely interviews the author, Tim Folger and his connection and interest in the Great Lakes region. Read the full story by GreatLakesNow.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20201201-great-lakes-national-geographic
More than 317,000 households serving an estimated 800,000 Michiganders throughout Michigan are known to be behind on their water bills and could face water shutoffs. The potential shutoffs are due in part to the Michigan Supreme Court repeal of Governor Whitmer’s water reconnection Executive Order in October. Read the full story by National Resource Defense Council.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20201201-water-shutoff-michigan
The Regional Municipality of York’s proposed and funded wastewater treatment facility in East Gwillimbury, Ontario, part of the $715-million Upper York Sewage Solutions project, has been waiting for the green light from the province for years in the face of strong opposition from the Chippewas of Georgina First Nation. Read the full story by NewmarketToday.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20201201-ontario-wastewater
A Michigan task force is reviewing recommendations to strengthen regulations for Michigan’s dams in the wake of the May failure of two “grossly underfunded” Midland-area dams that led to catastrophic damage. Read the full story by The Detroit News.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20201201-michgan-dams
Sarnia’s mayor warns Line 5 shutdown would harm economy on both sides of border if Michigan succeeds in shutting down the Line 5 pipeline citing potential regional energy crisis and economic pain. Read the full story by Lake Superior News.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20201201-line-5-energy-canada
Coast Guard Sector Sault Sainte Marie said it received its first report of the half-sunken barge in part of the bay near Traverse City about 9:30 a.m., Nov. 30th. The barge was in about 10 feet of water, sitting about 100 yards from shore. View the full story by MLive.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20201201-coast-guard-oil
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has recommended that $1.5 million dollars from the Land and Water Conservation Fund be allocated to help rebuild the ATV and snowmobile trail that runs from Dollar Bay to Lake Linden. Read the full story by Keweenaw Report.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20201201-michigan-trail-repair
In a visit in the spring, Greg Rickford, the minister for northern development announced $30,000 for design work to help build new facilities, as well as $2 million in operating money that is being leveraged to bring more than $10 million worth of research. Read the full story by DrydenNow.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20201201-experimental-lakes
The unregulated degradation of River Raisin from the 1900s to the 1980s made the waterway and its environs one of the most polluted rivers in Michigan. This led to the designation of the River Raisin as an Area of Concern by the United States Environmental Protection Agency in 1987 as part of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement of that year and fielding the way for greater restoration. Read the full story by LenConnect.com.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20201201-michigan-river-pollution
For years Minnesota biologists stocked remote lakes with trout by dropping them out of planes in sometimes risky conditions from about 100 feet. With better equipment, they began using safer and more gentle helicopters in 2020. Read the full story by the Star Tribune.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/2020130-helicopter-fish-stocking
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s office assailed Enbridge Inc. for filing a lawsuit last week in an effort to reverse the state’s order to shut down controversial pipelines in the Straits of Mackinac, saying the oil giant was endangering the Great Lakes. Read the full story by the Detroit Metro Times.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/2020130-enbridge-lawsuit
After a troublesome nesting season for some Great Lakes piping plovers, one little bird’s big trip this fall is being celebrated as a victory. Read the full story by MLive.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/2020130-piping-plover
The cold-weather dredging at Grand Traverse Harbor in Lake Superior, on Upper Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula, is ongoing and being funded by the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community. Read the full story by WXPR – Ironwood, MI.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/2020130-dredging
