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In: Agriculture, Algae Blooms, Cleveland, Feature Cleveland, harmful algal blooms, James Proffitt, lake erie, Latest News, News, Ohio, Research, Research, Data and Technology, science, Science, Technology, Research, toxic algae, Water quality, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts
Toxic Algae 2020: Moderate bloom forecasted for Lake Erie

Scientists believe a dry spring in Lake Erie’s western basin watershed will help keep the annual harmful algal bloom in check this summer and early autumn.

The bloom’s biomass is expected to rank 4.5 on a scale of 10 in terms of severity, according to Rick Stumpf, oceanographer with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/07/toxic-algae-2020-harmful-algal-bloom-forecast-lake-erie/

James Proffitt

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In: COVID-19, Feature Milwaukee, forever chemicals, Forever Chemicals Featured, Latest News, Michigan, Milwaukee, News, PFAS, Research, Research, Data and Technology, science, Science, Technology, Research, Wisconsin
PFAS News Roundup: Research suggests link with COVID-19, disposal methods increase contamination

PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of widespread man-made chemicals that don’t break down in the environment or the human body and have been flagged as a major contaminant in sources of water across the country.

Keep up with PFAS-related developments in the Great Lakes area.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/07/pfas-michigan-wisconsin-legislation-foam-covid-19/

Samantha Cantie

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In: Drinking Water, Groundwater Contamination, Indiana, industry, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, infrastructure, Latest News, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, News, Ohio, Ontario, Research, Research, Data and Technology, science, Science, Technology, Research, Toronto, Water quality, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts, Wisconsin
Drinking Water News Roundup: Ohio Resumes Water Shutoffs, Lead Exposure More Likely from Private Wells

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:

Indiana:

  • Andrews Residents Told Drinking Water Is Safe, But Issues Remain – Indiana Public Media

When its water supply was running low in May, Andrews tapped into an unused well but was forced to shut it down again after the town found high levels of cancer-causing chemical vinyl chloride left over from a factory now owned by Raytheon Technologies.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/07/drinking-water-ohio-shutoffs-lead-exposure-private-wells/

Emily Simroth

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In: COVID-19, Detroit, Fatbergs, Feature Detroit, Illinois, industry, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, infrastructure, Latest News, Michigan, Natasha Blakely, News, Research, Research, Data and Technology, Science, Technology, Research, sewers, Water quality, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts
Slow Legislation: Flushable wipes become an issue in court and in law

Fatbergs — massive buildups of wipes and hygiene products congealed with greases and oils — make for a cringe-worthy topic. And the damage they cause to sewer systems can be a huge amount of trouble for the people in charge of those sewer systems.

That includes Candice Miller, the Public Works Commissioner in southeast Michigan’s Macomb County.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/07/legislation-flushable-wipes-court-law-fatberg/

Natasha Blakely

On:
In: Beaches, Boating, Paddle Sports and Sailing, charter boats, COVID-19, Gary Wilson, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Latest News, Michigan, News, Ohio, Ontario, Recreation, Tourism and Culture, recreational fishing, Recreational Hunting and Fishing, Research, Research, Data and Technology, Science, Technology, Research, shipping, Shipping and Ports, Tourism, U.S. and Canadian Federal Governments
COVID-19 Comeback: Great Lakes businesses and scientists bounce back

In March, COVID-19 brought the Great Lakes economy and society in general to a grinding halt.

Three months later, it’s not yet business as usual and challenges remain.

That’s the consensus of a group of Great Lakes industries and scientific researchers Great Lakes Now first spoke with in April.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/06/covid-19-great-lakes-shipping-charter-boats-research/

Gary Wilson

On:
In: invasive species, lake erie, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, Lake Ontario, Lake Superior, Latest News, News, Science, Technology, Research, U.S. and Canadian Federal Governments
State of the Lakes: Great Lakes stable, but rollbacks of protection will soon bite

The overall condition of the Great Lakes has been assessed as “fair and unchanging” in the 2019 State of the Great Lakes joint report by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Environmental and Climate Change Canada, published on June 3.

The lakes were assessed on nine indicators of ecosystem health as part of the 2012 Great Lakes Quality Agreement between the United States and Canada.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/06/state-great-lakes-stable-rollbacks-protection/

Brian Owens

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In: detroit river, Habitat Restoration, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, John Hartig, Latest News, News, pollution, Region, Research, Research, Data and Technology, restoration, Science, Technology, Research, Water quality, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts, Waterfront Development
Great Lakes Moment: Investing in pollution prevention and restoration pays off

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.

A new study on cleaning up Great Lakes pollution hotspots published in the Journal of Great Lakes Research finds that investing in pollution prevention and restoration pays off in the long run.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/06/pollution-prevention-restoration-study/

John Hartig

On:
In: COVID-19, Detroit, detroit river, Feature Detroit, Feature Milwaukee, Lake St. Clair, Latest News, Michigan, Milwaukee, News, Ontario, Research, Research, Data and Technology, science, Science, Technology, Research, sewage, wastewater, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts, Wisconsin
Sewage Check: Great Lakes researchers look to wastewater for data on COVID-19

The virus can be detected in infected people’s feces – sometimes even before they begin exhibiting symptoms.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/05/sewage-check-researchers-look-to-wastewater-for-data-on-covid-19/

Sharon Oosthoek

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In: enbridge, Enbridge Line 5 and Other Pipelines, Energy, Forests and Plants, Gary Wilson, Habitat Restoration, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Latest News, line 5, Michigan, News, oil pipelines, Science, Technology, Research, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts, wetlands
Permit Pause: Michigan regulatory agency wants more info on Line 5

The state agency that has to green light Enbridge Energy’s controversial pipeline in a tunnel project in the Straits of Mackinac hit the pause button on the process last week when it told the company it needs additional information.

The new pipeline would replace the 67-year-old existing Line 5 that runs through the bottom of the straits.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/05/permit-michigan-egle-enbridge-line-5/

Gary Wilson

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In: Gary Abud Jr., Great Lakes, Great Lakes Learning, lake erie, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, Lake Ontario, Lake Superior, Latest News, News, science, Science, Technology, Research
Great Lakes Learning: Freshwater science for the youngest learners – Part 2

As the author of Great Lakes Now’s Collection of Lesson Plans, educational consultant Gary Abud Jr. is now providing more support for parents, teachers and caregivers who want to incorporate Great Lakes learning into their time with children and students. His series of writings can be found HERE along with the lesson plans and a Virtual Field Trip.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/05/great-lakes-learning-younger-learners-2/

Gary Abud Jr.

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In: Chicago, Climate change, Collaboration, Energy, Energy, Clean Energy, Ethanol and Fracking, Feature-Chicago, Illinois, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Latest News, News, Research, Data and Technology, Science, Technology, Research, technology
To protect people in the Great Lakes region from climate extremes, weatherize their homes

As climate change makes heat waves more frequent across the region and the nation, cities will need more tools to protect their residents.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/04/rust-resilience-climate-extremes-weatherization/

The Conversation

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In: Buffalo, Chicago, Cleveland, Climate change, Collaboration, Detroit, Duluth, Feature Cleveland, Feature Detroit, Feature Milwaukee, Feature-Chicago, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, lake erie, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, Lake Ontario, Lake Superior, Latest News, Milwaukee, News, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, Recreation, Tourism and Culture, Region, Science, Technology, Research, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts
From Rust to Resilience: Climate change brings new challenges and opportunities

Great Lakes Now is sharing work from our partners in a project on what climate change means for Great Lakes cities. Here is the initial piece in the series.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/04/rust-resilience-climate-change-great-lakes-cities/

Ensia

On:
In: Drinking Water, environment, Gary Abud Jr., Great Lakes, Great Lakes Learning, Groundwater Contamination, lake erie, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, Lake Ontario, Lake Superior, Latest News, News, Science, Technology, Research, water
Great Lakes Learning: 5 ways to teach your child about groundwater

Here’s a collection of Great Lakes Now work – and other references – to help water become a fun, fascinating at-home lesson.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/04/great-lakes-learning-groundwater/

Gary Abud Jr.

On:
In: Drinking Water, economy, Energy, Clean Energy, Ethanol and Fracking, environment, Equity and Environmental Justice, Great Lakes, Illinois, Indiana, John Hartig, lake erie, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, Lake Ontario, Lake Superior, Latest News, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, News, Ohio, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Policy, Protect, Science, Technology, Research, The States, U.S. and Canadian Federal Governments, water, Wisconsin
Great Lakes Moment: Earth Day turns 50

Great Lakes Now Contributor John Hartig shares his own memories of the first Earth Day and the changes he’s noticed in the nature around him since then.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/04/great-lakes-moment-earth-day-turns-50/

John Hartig

On:
In: environment, Gary Abud Jr., Great Lakes Learning, infrastructure, Latest News, News, pollution, Protect, Science, Technology, Research
Great Lakes Learning: Tips for growing a fatberg at home (safely!)

In this lesson, help kids understand what not to flush down the toilet and do a fun at-home science experiment at the same time.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/03/url-great-lakes-remote-learning-fatberg-experiment/

Gary Abud Jr.

On:
In: economy, environment, Great Lakes, Illinois, Indiana, Latest News, Michigan, Minnesota, Municipalities, Natasha Blakely, New York, News, Ohio, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, Protect, Research, Data and Technology, Resource, Science, Technology, Research, water, Wisconsin
Flushing Caution: Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner asks people to properly dispose of cleaning products

Anything that says “Flushable Wipes” is not flushable, commissioner says.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/03/flushable-wipes-coronavirus-covid-19-sewers/

Natasha Blakely

On:
In: economy, environment, Gary Wilson, Great Lakes, Latest News, Michigan, News, Ohio, Ontario, Policy, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, Research, Data and Technology, Science, Technology, Research, water, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts
Research Unknowns: COVID-19 puts Great Lakes field research prep on hold

While field research prep is delayed, the science itself hasn’t stopped as universities and researchers continue to work.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/03/great-lakes-delay-research-coronavirus-covid-19/

Gary Wilson

On:
In: AP, Chicago, environment, Fish, Birds and Animals, Great Lakes, Illinois, Indiana, News, Science, Technology, Research, water
Environmental groups sue to speed up lake sturgeon status

CHICAGO (AP) — Environmental groups in Illinois and Indiana have filed a federal complaint in hopes of forcing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to complete a review that could designate lake sturgeon as a federally endangered species.

Lake sturgeon are a prehistoric fish that were once plentiful in the Great Lakes but have been reduced to extremely low levels by pollution, overfishing and habitat destruction.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/03/ap-environmental-groups-sue-lake-sturgeon-status/

The Associated Press

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In: Climate change, environment, Fish, Birds and Animals, Great Lakes, John Hartig, Latest News, Michigan, News, Protect, Recreation, Tourism and Culture, Science, Technology, Research
Great Lakes Moment: Decline of bird species should serve as a warning

In this month’s column from Great Lakes Now writer John Hartig, he looks at how climate change is impacting birds around the Great Lakes.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/03/black-terns-michigan-bird-climate-change/

John Hartig