Daily News (Page 77)

Rep. Huizenga breaks down effort to boost Great Lakes funding

On: February 12, 2024

Four U.S. representatives, including two from Michigan, and the bipartisan Great Lakes Task Force introduced the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) Act of 2024 Tuesday in Washington. Right now, the GLRI is set to expire at the end of the 2026 fiscal year, but this legislation would reauthorize it for another five years through FY 2031. Read the full story by WXMI-TV – Grand Rapids, MI.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240212-boost-greatlakes-funding

Hannah Reynolds

Lake Superior is on pace for record-low ice cover

On: February 12, 2024

Unless a protracted cold wave sets in, Lake Superior will likely set a new record this winter for lowest average amount of ice cover, according to data from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory. Read the full story by BayToday.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240212-lakesuperior-lowicecover

Hannah Reynolds

National Museum of the Great Lakes launches Tuskegee Airmen micro exhibit

On: February 12, 2024

The National Museum of the Great Lakes opened a new micro exhibit that examines the Great Lakes connection to the famed Tuskegee Airmen, an elite group of African American military pilots and airmen who fought in World War II. Read the full story by The Toledo Blade.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240212-museumofgreatlakes-tuskegeeairmen

Hannah Reynolds

COMMENTARY: Plan to relocate Line 5 oil tunnel ‘unusual and especially risky.’ Here’s why.

On: February 12, 2024

The oil company Enbridge wants to move its Line 5 oil pipeline from the Straits of Mackinac into a tunnel beneath the lake, and the Michigan Public Service Commission recently signed off on this plan, issuing Enbridge a site permit. That decision could make things worse. Read the full story by the Detroit Free Press.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240212-relocate-line5-tunnel

Hannah Reynolds

There is barely any ice in the Great Lakes due to warm winter temperatures

On: February 9, 2024

Record warm winter weather is having severe ramifications on the ice cover that typically engulfs the Great Lakes at this time of year. Just 5.9% of the Great Lakes are currently covered with ice compared to an average of about 40% for this time of year. Read the full story by ABC News.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240209-great-lakes-ice

Theresa Gruninger

Preserving Minnesota’s bogs could fight climate change

On: February 9, 2024

Researchers in Minnesota are creating a national map to identify peatlands – soggy areas of slowly decaying organic matter – and guides for how to restore them. The idea is to save a landscape that occupies just 3 percent of the earth’s land area but stores over 30 percent of the planet’s carbon. Read the full story by Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240209-bogs

Theresa Gruninger

Tiny to submit rare shoreline bylaw for Great Lakes best practice award

On: February 9, 2024

A successful halt on shoreline development through a recently crafted bylaw in Tiny Township, Ontario has been submitted for a Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative award. Even if the township does not win the award, the deputy mayor hopes the story can ‘help other municipalities that are facing similar issues’. Read the full story by Midland Today.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240209-best-practice-award

Theresa Gruninger

Duluth Fire Department warns of dangerous ice conditions on Lake Superior Bay

On: February 9, 2024

Due to recent warm temperatures, the Duluth Fire Department in Minnesota is asking the public to exercise caution and refrain from engaging in ice fishing activities in Superior Bay. Read the full story by KBJR-TV – Superior, WI.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240209-superior-bay-ice-conditions

Theresa Gruninger

Enbridge, Bad River Band take fight over oil pipeline to U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago

On: February 9, 2024

The gridlocked battle between a Wisconsin tribe and a Canadian oil giant has entered its next legal round. On Thursday, the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments about whether Enbridge Energy’s Line 5 oil pipeline can continue to transport oil on the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa’s reservation. Read the full story by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240209-line-5

Theresa Gruninger

Man who diverted Platte River to ease boat access on Lake Michigan convicted

On: February 9, 2024

A man was convicted this week on two federal charges after he diverted the Platte River by hand through Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan. Read the full story by the Detroit Free Press.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240209-platt-river

Theresa Gruninger

As Michigan winters vanish, researchers study snow for clues about what’s next

On: February 9, 2024

Researchers are on a mission to get more wintertime data to understand how Michigan’s disappearing winters affect the broader Great Lakes ecosystem, endangering some species, and changing nutrient cycles, among a growing list of concerns. Read the full story by Michigan Public.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240209-snow-clues

Theresa Gruninger

Protecting Lake Erie from summertime algae blooms is a year-round effort

On: February 9, 2024

This past summer, a “moderately” severe algae bloom grew in Lake Erie. There is a long way to go to address the summer plague of Lake Erie algae blooms and the actions required to do so are a year-round job. Read the full story by the Environmental Defence.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240209-algae-blooms

Theresa Gruninger

Lake Superior lighthouse volunteer position sees massive response

On: February 9, 2024

Many volunteers showed interest in living in a Lake Superior lighthouse for the summer. The National Park Service opened and closed an application to be a caretaker for the Sand Island Light off the coast of northern Wisconsin in less than a day due to an abundance of applicants. Read the full story by WJBK-TV – Detroit, MI.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240209-lake-superior-lighthouse

Theresa Gruninger

Tammy Baldwin offers bill to protect Mississippi River modeled on successful Great Lakes program

On: February 9, 2024

Wisconsin lawmakers are introducing legislature modeled from the success of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to protect the Mississippi River waters and watershed. Read the full story by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240209-mississippi-river-model

Theresa Gruninger

Creating new ponds to benefit fish, birds, recreation

On: February 7, 2024

Construction is underway on a wetland enhancement project at the Lakeview Wildlife Management Area in the town of Ellisburg, New York. The project is a collaboration between New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Great Lakes Commission, Audubon New York, Audubon Great Lakes, and Ducks Unlimited. Read the full story by WWNY-TV – Watertown, NY.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240207-ny-wetland-enhancement

Theresa Gruninger

Legislators propose extension of bipartisan Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to 2031

On: February 7, 2024

Legislators and bipartisan members of the Great Lakes Task Force introduced new legislation Tuesday that would extend the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, a public-private program that has used federal and nonfederal aid to protect and maintain the Great Lakes since 2010. Read the full story by WWMT-TV – Kalamazoo, MI.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240207-glri

Theresa Gruninger

State grants $10 million for harbor projects along Mississippi River, Great Lakes

On: February 7, 2024

Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation announced $10 million to improve eight harbors along the Mississippi River and Great Lakes. WisDOT’s Harbor Assistance Program will issue grants to Wisconsin cities such as Superior, La Crosse and Milwaukee to maintain and improve waterborne commerce. Read the full story by The Daily Reporter.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240207-wisconsin-harbors

Theresa Gruninger

Study calls for EPA to include human well-being in Great Lakes restoration program

On: February 7, 2024

In a study released in December, researchers documented the informal shift in priorities by restoration project managers to include human well-being. An environmental social scientist says EPA should consider an increased focus on human well-being in their Great Lakes Restoration Initiative program. Read the full story by Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240207-well-being-in-glri

Theresa Gruninger

Great Lakes moment: Lest we forget –a history of Detroit River oil pollution

On: February 7, 2024

Today, the Detroit River is much cleaner, and sentinel wildlife species have returned. The river has come a long way since the 1960s, however, there is still much work to do, including developing a stewardship ethic. Read the full story by Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240207-detroit-river

Theresa Gruninger

In Erie boater’s case, Pa. appeals court affirms constitutionality of safety inspections

On: February 7, 2024

In 2016, an Erie boater took to court against a fine for a lack of lifejackets. The result of the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court’s decision sets precedent for state law to perform checks of fishing licenses and safety equipment. Read the full story by Erie Times-News.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240207-safety-inspection-boater-law

Theresa Gruninger

Ohio lawmakers propose $20 million for Cleveland land bridge connecting downtown to Lake Erie

On: February 7, 2024

Ohio House lawmakers announced Tuesday that the long-awaited pedestrian land bridge to connect downtown Cleveland to Lake Erie would get $20 million in the proposed capital budget’s one-time fund. Read the full story by WEWS-TV – Cleveland, OH.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240207-cleveland-land-bridge

Theresa Gruninger

ERCA to consider new plan for Hillman Marsh restoration

On: February 7, 2024

The Essex Region Conservation Authority will present proposals for the restoration of Hillman Marsh in Leamington, Ontario, which is currently overrun with water from Lake Erie. Read the full story by CBC News.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240207-hillman-marsh

Theresa Gruninger

Senate bill requiring Lake Michigan rescue equipment advances to Indiana House

On: February 7, 2024

On Tuesday, the full Indiana Senate unanimously approved a bill that requires life rings be placed at public piers and Lake Michigan access points to help to assist in rescue efforts. Read the full story by WNDU-TV – Indianapolis, IN.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240207-rescue-equipment

Theresa Gruninger

PFAS contamination has grown in Michigan to the point that some Michiganders say presidential leadership is needed to deal with it

On: February 7, 2024

The state of Michigan has identified thousands of sites potentially contaminated with the man-made chemical and many Michiganders would like to presidential leadership address the “forever chemicals.” Read the full story by Michigan Public.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240207-pfas-michigan

Theresa Gruninger

End in sight for EPA cleanup of contaminated soil in St. Clair Shores

On: February 5, 2024

In Michigan, the years-long and expensive cleanup effort for the Ten Mile Drain Superfund site in St. Clair Shores appears to be nearing the finish line. Read the full story by the Macomb Daily.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240205-epa-cleanup

DNR cancels Black Lake sturgeon fishing season in Michigan

On: February 5, 2024

Michigan’s shortest fishing season has been canceled this year for the first time ever. Marginal ice conditions and depletion of ice on Black Lake caused concern about excessive sturgeon harvest. Read the full story by the Detroit Free Press.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240205-sturgeon-fishing-cancelled

Underwater church and village resurface in documentary

On: February 5, 2024

Michiganders might never know if Sasquatch is real. But they will soon learn the truth about the legends of Macomb County’s Village of Belvidere and Church of St. Felicity, lying beneath the waves of Lake St. Clair. Read the full story by the Macomb Daily.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240205-underwater-church

Consumers Energy nearly ready for bids on 13 hydropower dams

On: February 5, 2024

This year, Consumers Energy plans to sell 13 hydroelectric dams on five Lower Michigan rivers. Read the full story by MLive.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240205-hydrodam-bids

Photobook illuminates the beauty of Michigan lighthouses

On: February 5, 2024

A Michigan photographer wrote, designed and published Lighthouses of Michigan-Lower Peninsula, a new book featuring Michigan lighthouse photography, to fulfill a childhood dream. Read the full story by Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240205-lighthouse-photobook

DNR receives $3.6M for Native American history project at Straits State Park

On: February 5, 2024

A $3.6 million grant will expand the Native American history shared at Straits State Park in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula by incorporating a learning commons for exhibits and meeting space, powwow grounds structures, and a community kitchen pavilion. Read the full story by MLive.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240205-native-american-history

Nature Conservancy of Canada protecting wetlands

On: February 5, 2024

As of Worlds Wetlands Day on February 2, four wetland sites totaling over 940 hectares in Ontario are now permanently protected, helping to sustain at-risk species. Read the full story by CJUK – Thunder Bay, ON.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240205-wetland-protection

Agency fights back against invasive species

On: February 5, 2024

In 2023, the Timberland Invasives Partnership worked across jurisdictional boundaries to manage and control nine different invasive species in northeast Wisconsin using grant funding. Read the full story by NEW Media Inc.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240205-invasive-species

State approves $65M to improve water infrastructure in several Michigan cities

On: February 5, 2024

Michigan’s office of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy approved nearly $66 million in grants to help upgrade infrastructure in several cities, including Detroit. Read the full story by WDET – Detroit, MI.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240205-water-infrastructure

Oldest Great Lakes piping plover, a tiny celebrity, spotted on Georgia island

On: February 2, 2024

The oldest living Great Lakes piping plover has survived another migration journey, and is alive and well in her preferred winter stomping grounds in Georgia. Read the full story by MLive.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240202-greatlakes-pipingplover

Hannah Reynolds

St. Lawrence Seaway sees nearly 38 million tons pass through waterway in 2023

On: February 2, 2024

The St. Lawrence Seaway had a busy year during its longest shipping season ever – nearly 38 million tons of cargo transited the binational system in 2023, which was an overall increase of more than 3.4 percent. Read the full story by WWTI-TV – Watertown, NY.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240202-stlawrenceseaway-shippingseason-2023

Hannah Reynolds

Veolia agrees to $25M settlement with Flint water claimants, two weeks before second trial

On: February 2, 2024

An engineering company being sued by Flint residents over consultation it provided following the city’s switch to the Flint River for drinking water will settle the case for $25 million — a decision that comes about two weeks before class action litigation was set to go to a second trial. Read the full story by The Detroit News.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240202-veolia-settlement-flintwatercrisis

Hannah Reynolds

Bay of Green Bay is one step closer to being designated as a research reserve

On: February 2, 2024

The Bay of Green Bay could join a network of 30 designated coastal sites that protect and study estuaries. Read the full story by Wisconsin Public Radio.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240202-bayofgreenbay-protected-researchreserve

Hannah Reynolds

St. Lawrence River contaminated with toxic drugs

On: February 2, 2024

Medicinal drugs polluting the St. Lawrence River are threatening aquatic wildlife, according to a new study. Read the full story by Newsweek.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240202-stlawrenceriver-contaminated-toxicdrugs

Hannah Reynolds

COMMENTARY: Ice fishing has already been hurt by conditions; now sturgeon spearing is threatened

On: February 2, 2024

The poor ice conditions on Wisconsin waters this winter continue to adversely affect winter fishing opportunities, including the cancellation of ice fishing tournaments. Read the full story by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240202-icefishing-poorconditions

Hannah Reynolds

Lake Erie anglers get green light to launch: NE Ohio fishing report

On: February 2, 2024

This week’s windy, warmer winter weather helped to melt the ice cover around the Western Basin of Lake Erie and its Lake Erie Island area. That prompted the U.S. Coast Guard to suspend its rule requiring boaters to seek permission to 72 hours before they launch. Read the full story by The Plain Dealer.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240202-lakeerie-anglers-ohio-fishingreport

Hannah Reynolds

Lake Superior mining waste pollution fix will cost billions

On: February 2, 2024

A new report estimates it will cost several billion dollars to remove 12.7 million cubic yards of copper mining waste called stamp sands which are slowly smothering an important fish spawning reef in Lake Superior along the Keweenaw Peninsula coastline. Read the full story by MLive.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240202-lakesuperior-miningwaste

Hannah Reynolds

Biden to offer $1.5B loan to restart nuclear power plant on Lake Michigan

On: January 31, 2024

The Biden administration is poised to lend $1.5 billion for what would be the first restart of the shuttered Palisades nuclear plant in Covert, Michigan, on the shore of Lake Michigan, the latest sign of strengthening federal government support for the atomic industry. Read the full story by The Associated Press.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240131-palisades-nuclear

Taaja Tucker-Silva

Smart buoys help brace Great Lakes for environmental challenges

On: January 31, 2024

Lake Erie is the first of the Great Lakes getting connected to the internet with a series of offshore “smart” buoys via the Smart Lake Erie Watershed Initiative. The buoy project is providing invaluable data to researchers and anglers. Read the full story by Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240131-smart-buoys

Taaja Tucker-Silva

New PFAS-annihilating technology set to destroy toxic chemicals in Ohio’s firefighting foams

On: January 31, 2024

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine is partnering with a Columbus-based company to destroy stockpiles of toxic firefighting foams containing PFAS. The program will destroy the aqueous foam and return PFAS-contaminated wastewater to non-detectable levels. Read the full story by Ideastream Public Media.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240131-pfas-annihilator

Taaja Tucker-Silva

$27.5M center linking business and academia to benefit Great Lakes takes big steps toward reality

On: January 31, 2024

Progress is well underway on the $27.5 million Freshwater Research & Innovation Center just north of Traverse City, Michigan. Read the full story by Crain’s Detroit Business.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240131-research-center

Taaja Tucker-Silva

Indiana lawmakers advance bill requiring rescue equipment on Lake Michigan

On: January 31, 2024

A bill unanimously passed by an Indiana Senate committee would require the installation of ring life buoys on Lake Michigan piers and public access points. The goal is to have one life ring for every quarter mile of Indiana’s 26 miles of publicly accessible beach. Read the full story by WNDU-TV – South Bend, IN.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240131-rescue-equipment

Taaja Tucker-Silva

You can’t stop the lake

On: January 31, 2024

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy has designated 250 miles of shoreline along Lakes Michigan, Superior, and Huron as high risk for erosion. The debate on how states should protect the shoreline is complex, and is highlighted in Douglas, Michigan, where 200 sandbags protect the beach. Read the full story by Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240131-beach-erosion

Taaja Tucker-Silva

Michigan fishery officials may ax Black Lake sturgeon season due to dangerous ice

On: January 31, 2024

Due to an unprecedented lack of ice, Michigan fisheries officials are trying to decide whether to cancel sturgeon season on Black Lake near Onaway, Michigan. Read the full story by MLive.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240131-sturgeon-season

Taaja Tucker-Silva

Decades-long phosphorus study of Lower Fox River shows why it’s a big problem for Lake Michigan

On: January 31, 2024

The Fox River in Green Bay, Wisconsin, contributes more phosphorus to Lake Michigan than any other tributary. And while Wisconsin has strict rules to limit the amount of phosphorus flowing into its waterways, a new report shows that it hasn’t been enough to turn the tide on the problem. Read the full story by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240131-fox-phosphorus

Taaja Tucker-Silva

A fish story: The return of the sturgeon

On: January 31, 2024

A 25-year project, planned through 2031, aims to reintroduce lake sturgeon to Lake Michigan waters and help them once again call the Milwaukee River home. Read the full story by Urban Milwaukee.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240131-milwaukee-sturgeon

Taaja Tucker-Silva