On:
In: Uncategorized
...SNOW COVERED AND SLIPPERY ROADS WILL CONTINUE INTO THIS EVENING... Light to moderate snow continues across much of north-central and far northeast Wisconsin this afternoon. The heaviest band of snow extended from Stevens Point east to the Fox Valley and north into Marinate and Oconto counties.

Original Article

Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service

Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service

https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI1261C9B51188.SpecialWeatherStatement.1261C9C10D80WI.GRBSPSGRB.d4f70475aa0f98a657b568d8fa08386a

w-nws.webmaster@noaa.gov

On:
In: Uncategorized
...SNOW CONTINUES WITH STRONG WINDS AND BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW LATER TONIGHT INTO MONDAY... .Low pressure will move away from the region tonight. The system will continue to bring snow across northern Wisconsin into Monday. Later tonight, strong northwest winds will produce areas of blowing and drifting snow across northern Wisconsin and usher in colder

Original Article

Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service

Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service

https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI1261C9B4E438.WinterWeatherAdvisory.1261C9C182B0WI.GRBWSWGRB.c4e4da5e549fa22b904d57b98620a651

w-nws.webmaster@noaa.gov

On:
In: Uncategorized
...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO NOON CST MONDAY... * WHAT...West winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph expected. * WHERE...Portions of central, east central, and northeast Wisconsin. * WHEN...From Midnight tonight to Noon CST Monday. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree

Original Article

Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service

Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service

https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI1261C9B4D9AC.WindAdvisory.1261C9C3CCA0WI.GRBNPWGRB.436d0888fe7a0ea6025ccbbf9de9616b

w-nws.webmaster@noaa.gov

On:
In: Uncategorized
...SNOW AND FREEZING DRIZZLE INTO TONIGHT THEN GUSTY NORTHWEST WINDS AND MUCH COLDER ON MONDAY... .Low pressure will bring snow and freezing drizzle into tonight, then gusty northwest winds late tonight and Monday will create blowing and drifting snow and falling temperatures during the day. ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST THIS

Original Article

Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service

Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service

https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI1261C9B49B90.WinterWeatherAdvisory.1261C9C10D80WI.GRBWSWGRB.c4e4da5e549fa22b904d57b98620a651

w-nws.webmaster@noaa.gov

On:
In: Uncategorized
...PERIODS OF SNOW FOLLOWED BY GUSTY NORTHEST WINDS AND MUCH COLDER TEMPERATURES EXPECTED TODAY INTO MONDAY... .Low pressure moving across the western Great Lakes will bring periods of snow and gusty winds creating areas of blowing and drifting snow. Travel will become difficult at times. ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST THIS

Original Article

Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service

Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service

https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI1261C9B428B8.WinterWeatherAdvisory.1261C9C10D80WI.GRBWSWGRB.c4e4da5e549fa22b904d57b98620a651

w-nws.webmaster@noaa.gov

On:
In: Uncategorized
...SNOW RESULTING IN SLIPPERY TRAVEL CONDITIONS THIS MORNING... A band of snow shifting north through the area was resulting in slippery travel conditions this morning. A lull in the snow is expected across portions of central and east-central Wisconsin (generally south of Highway 29) during the mid-morning hours. This combined with temperatures edging up toward 30 degrees will

Original Article

Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service

Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service

https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI1261C9B3ADAC.SpecialWeatherStatement.1261C9B41530WI.GRBSPSGRB.3b77a733acfe35fc01f412b80021d336

w-nws.webmaster@noaa.gov

On:
In: Uncategorized
...PERIODS OF SNOW FOLLOWED BY GUSTY NORTHEST WINDS AND MUCH COLDER TEMPERATURES EXPECTED TODAY INTO MONDAY... .Low pressure moving across the western Great Lakes will bring periods of snow and gusty winds creating areas of blowing and drifting snow. Travel will become difficult at times. ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST THIS

Original Article

Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service

Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service

https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI1261C9B3A44C.WinterWeatherAdvisory.1261C9C10D80WI.GRBWSWGRB.c4e4da5e549fa22b904d57b98620a651

w-nws.webmaster@noaa.gov

On:
In: Uncategorized
...PERIODS OF SNOW FOLLOWED BY GUSTY NORTHEST WINDS AND MUCH COLDER TEMPERATURES EXPECTED TODAY INTO MONDAY... .Low pressure moving across the western Great Lakes will bring periods of snow and gusty winds creating areas of blowing and drifting snow. Travel will become difficult at times. ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST THIS EVENING...

Original Article

Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service

Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service

https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI1261C9B3404C.WinterWeatherAdvisory.1261C9C10D80WI.GRBWSWGRB.c4e4da5e549fa22b904d57b98620a651

w-nws.webmaster@noaa.gov

On:
In: AP, environmental protection agency, Indiana, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Lake Michigan, News, oil, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, pollution, Protect
BP agrees to $500K penalty, soot limits at Indiana refinery

By John Flesher, Associated Press

Oil giant BP agreed Thursday to pay a $512,450 penalty and reduce soot emissions from its Whiting refinery in Indiana under an agreement with regulators and activists who accused the company of violating an earlier deal.

The U.S. District Court settlement modifies a previous consent decree that required BP Products North America Inc.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/12/ap-bp-500k-penalty-soot-indiana/

The Associated Press

On:
In: Freshwater Weekly

THIS WEEK: Canadian Federal Government Underfunding First Nations’ Water Systems + Thank you for Your #GivingTuesday Generosity + U.S. Supreme Court Opinion Rules Groundwater Must Be Shared + Groups Convene to Talk Transboundary Water Issues at the Great Lakes Network Fall Gathering

Canadian Federal Government Underfunding First Nations’ Water Systems

The parliamentary budget officers report says the Liberals are not allocating enough funds for First Nations communities to operate their water and wastewater systems.  While the government has budgeted enough to address the capital costs to build water and wastewater systems over the next five years, they are short an estimated $138 million annually to maintain water and wastewater services on reserves, when compared to non-First Nations communities of the same size.  The Liberals made a promise in 2015 to end all boiled-water advisories of First Nations communities by 2021.  There are still 43 advisories on 31 communities with federally supported systems.  There are also a number of water systems that are deemed moderate to high risk of failure if not adequately supported. The human right to safe water should be of highest priority for everyone.

Thank you for Your #GivingTuesday Generosity

On November 30th, people around the world came together to thank, help, give, show kindness, and share what they have with those in need. Freshwater Future extends a heartfelt thank you to everyone who made donations to our #GivingTuesday campaign!  Your donations help us continue our impactful work to help people access safe, clean drinking water around the Great Lakes region.

U.S. Supreme Court Opinion Rules Groundwater Must Be Shared 

A long running dispute between Mississippi and Tennessee over ownership of a groundwater aquifer was recently ruled on by the U.S. Supreme Court.  They unanimously ruled that the aquifer must be shared, setting  a precedent for other states in the future on how they will handle water disputes as water becomes more scarce in the midst of climate change. This ruling affirms the idea behind eastern water law of reasonable use.  In other words, you can’t claim rights to all of the water by being the first to use it, instead you have to use shared water reasonably so it doesn’t impact your neighbors.

Groups Convene to Talk Transboundary Water Issues at the Great Lakes Network Fall Gathering

Big threats to the health of our Great Lakes require partnerships and teamwork. The Great Lakes Network was created to bring together an array of diverse perspectives and backgrounds to foster creative problem solving and innovation to advance water policy. More than 40 people representing grassroots groups to large non-profits, from Minnesota to New York and Ontario, and everywhere in-between, convened virtually on November 17-18 to celebrate and strengthen collaborative efforts.  Kristy Meyer, Associate Director for Freshwater Future and coordinator of the Great Lakes Network shared, “When we unite we can create win-win-win solutions for the health of the Great Lakes, people, and wildlife.”  Visit the Great Lakes Network webpage to learn more and to become a member.

Original Article

Blog – Freshwater Future

Blog – Freshwater Future

https://freshwaterfuture.org/freshwater-weekly/freshwater-future-weekly-december-3-2021/

Alana Honaker

On:
In: Drinking Water, Feature Homepage, Lake Huron, Latest News, Michigan, Municipalities, News, Ontario, Research, Data and Technology
What’s Your Water Source: Who gets their water from Lake Huron

Where do we get our water? It’s a critically important and highly regulated question, yet it took some digging to find the answers.  

Specific to Lake Huron, there are a total of 30 public water supply systems across Michigan and Ontario that source surface water for nearly 3 million people to drink. 

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/12/water-source-lake-huron/

Alex Hill

On:
In: Daily News

Indigenous communities in the Great Lakes have been hand harvesting wild rice for more than a thousand years. Now, it’s mostly gone. However, there are efforts from tribes to restore rice beds and bring more recognition to the grain in Michigan. Read and listen to the full story by WKAR – East Lansing, MI.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20211203-wild-rice

Samantha Tank

On:
In: Daily News

Ontario Auditor-General Bonnie Lysyk says the province owes the public more details — and sooner — about pollution spills like the 24-billion-litre leak of sewage into Hamilton’s Chedoke Creek which empties into Cootes Paradise on Lake Ontario. Read the full story by the Hamilton Spectator.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20211203-pollution-spill

Samantha Tank

On:
In: Charles Stewart Mott Foundation Partnership, data, Drinking Water, infrastructure, Latest News, Michigan, News, PFAS, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, Research, Data and Technology, water affordability
Rising Cost of Water in Michigan Leads to Affordability Problems

By Brett Walton, Circle of Blue

The Great Lakes News Collaborative includes Bridge Michigan; Circle of Blue; Great Lakes Now at Detroit Public Television; and Michigan Radio, Michigan’s NPR News Leader; who work together to bring audiences news and information about the impact of climate change, pollution, and aging infrastructure on the Great Lakes and drinking water.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/12/cost-water-michigan-affordability-problems/

Circle of Blue

On:
In: Uncategorized
...SNOW LIKELY TO RESULT IN SLIPPERY ROADS THIS MORNING... A band of light snow will continue to shift through the area this morning. A total snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches is expected in the Marshfield, Wisconsin Rapids, and Wautoma areas of central Wisconsin. Around an inch is expected in the Oshkosh area, with less than an inch across the rest of the area.

Original Article

Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service

Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service

https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI1261C994D97C.SpecialWeatherStatement.1261C9952738WI.GRBSPSGRB.01848a4d8a3a122e835f2710f0dd62c8

w-nws.webmaster@noaa.gov

On:
In: christmas, Echo

With stores already in the full swing of the Christmas season, many people are already thinking about the centerpiece of decorations: the real Christmas tree.

The post Projections rosy for the upcoming Christmas tree season first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/12/03/projections-rosy-for-the-upcoming-christmas-tree-season/

Guest Contributor

On:
In: Advocacy, AP, Habitat Restoration, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, News, plastic, Protect, recycling, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts
Science report: US should make less plastic to save oceans

By Seth Borenstein, Associated Press

America needs to rethink and reduce the way it generates plastics because so much of the material is littering the oceans and other waters, the National Academy of Sciences says in a new report.

The United States, the world’s top plastics waste producer, generates more than 46 million tons (42 million metric tons) a year, and about 2.2 billion pounds (1 million metric tons) ends up in the world’s oceans, according to the academy’s report.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/12/ap-science-report-plastic-oceans/

The Associated Press

On:
In: Feature Homepage, Indiana, indiana dunes national park, Latest News, Michigan, National Parks, News, Recreation and Tourism, sleeping bear dunes national lakeshore
Spike Sustained: As COVID-19 policies relax, park attendance (mostly) remains strong

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, many Great Lakes national parks experienced record visitation as people sought to experience the outdoors and participate in safe forms of recreation. 

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore was one of those parks. According to unofficial data from the National Park Service, over 1.7 million people visited in 2020, the highest attendance on record.  

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/12/covid-policies-park-attendance/

Noah Bock

On:
In: Agriculture, Echo

Farmers are known for their ‘pull yourself up by your bootstraps’ mentality. It is rare they’ll admit they’re getting mental health help. 

The post Mental health resources grow for Michigan farmers first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/12/02/mental-health-resources-grow-for-michigan-farmers/

Guest Contributor

On:
In: Charles Stewart Mott Foundation Partnership, contamination, detroit river, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Latest News, Michigan, News, shoreline, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts
Another seawall collapse due to gravel pile stored too close to Detroit River

By Michigan Radio

The Great Lakes News Collaborative includes Bridge Michigan; Circle of Blue; Great Lakes Now at Detroit Public Television; and Michigan Radio, Michigan’s NPR News Leader; who work together to bring audiences news and information about the impact of climate change, pollution, and aging infrastructure on the Great Lakes and drinking water.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/12/seawall-collapse-gravel-detroit-river/

Michigan Radio

On:
In: AP, enbridge, Enbridge Line 5 and Other Pipelines, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, line 5, Michigan, News, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice
Michigan drops oil pipeline suit, refocuses on separate case

By John Flesher, Associated Press

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer abandoned a lawsuit Tuesday aimed at shutting down an oil pipeline that runs through part of the Great Lakes but said the state would continue pursuing a separate case with the same goal.

Whitmer’s legal maneuver followed a federal judge’s decision earlier this month to retain jurisdiction over a suit brought by Enbridge Energy after the state revoked an easement allowing Line 5 to cross the Straits of Mackinac.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/12/ap-michigan-drops-oil-pipeline-suit/

The Associated Press

On:
In: Daily News

Great Lakes temperatures have been higher than the long-term average since the summer, and in some cases, even longer. Long-term high lake temperatures may have negative repercussions which ultimately harm fish and wildlife and in turn disrupt Michigan’s fishing economy. Read the full story by Michigan Radio.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20211201-temperature

Theresa Gruninger

On:
In: Daily News

Beyond telling us about the region’s history, the presence of coral fossils in the Great Lakes also enables us to obtain several of our natural resources today, such as salts, oils, and natural gas. Read the full story by Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20211201-fossils

Theresa Gruninger

On:
In: Daily News

A seawall near a dock site in Detroit, Michigan, that collapsed two years ago gave way Friday, spilling an unknown amount of soil into the Detroit River, according to state environmental officials. Read the full story by The Detroit News.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20211201-seawall-collapse

Theresa Gruninger

On:
In: Daily News

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer abandoned a lawsuit Tuesday aimed at shutting down an oil pipeline that runs through part of the Great Lakes but said the state would continue pursuing a separate case with the same goal. Read the full story by WHEC-TV – Rochester, NY.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20211201-oil-pipeline

Theresa Gruninger

On:
In: Daily News

Officials are seeking input from local boaters on changing water levels on the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario. The International Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Board has issued surveys for recreational boaters regarding fall water levels and end-of-season boat hauls. Read the full story by WWI-TV – Watertown, NY.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20211201-st.-lawrence-river

Theresa Gruninger

On:
In: Daily News

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos announced the completion of the restoration of the North Sandy Pond barrier bar, a $600,000 project awarded to the town of Sandy Creek as part of the state’s Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative. Read the full story by Oswego County Today.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20211201-flood-resiliency

Theresa Gruninger

On:
In: Daily News

On Dec. 7, the Ohio Supreme Court will hear an appeal from two Bratenahl residents against the Ohio Power Siting Board that argue a state board should not have granted a certificate that will allow construction of the Icebreaker wind project on Lake Erie. Read the full story by The Plain Dealer.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20211201-wind

Theresa Gruninger

On:
In: Daily News

The Rouse Simmons sank on November 23, 1912, off the coast of Lake Michigan and is one of the 39 known ships in the proposed Lake Michigan National Marine Sanctuary. The Wisconsin Maritime Museum will host its annual Christmas Tree Ship Day this Saturday. Read the full story by the Herald Times Reporter.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20211201-ship

Theresa Gruninger

On:
In: Books, Books, Authors, Art and Music, Feature Homepage, groundwater, Latest News, Michigan, News, water diversions, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts
Great Lakes for Sale: Veteran activist and author puts renewed spotlight on diverting Great Lakes water

Tracking Michigan’s environmental issues has been a long, rewarding and at times arduous undertaking for Dave Dempsey.  

He was an environment adviser to former Michigan Gov. James Blanchard in the 1980s and now provides policy advice to the Traverse City non-profit For Love of Water. In between were stops at the Michigan Environmental Council and the International Joint Commission.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/12/great-lakes-veteran-activist-author/

Gary Wilson

On:
In: Uncategorized
...SLIPPERY ROAD CONDITIONS POSSIBLE FOR THE MORNING COMMUTE... A fast moving weather system will bring a quick round of light snow to the area this morning. The snow is only expected to last for a few hours, before tapering off to light freezing drizzle or drizzle. Less than an inch of snow accumulation is expected. Even though the snow accumulation will be light, roads will likely

Original Article

Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service

Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service

https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI1261C9768634.SpecialWeatherStatement.1261C976F0D8WI.GRBSPSGRB.3b77a733acfe35fc01f412b80021d336

w-nws.webmaster@noaa.gov

On:
In: Law, Wildlife

An Amherst, N.Y., man has received an 18-month prison sentence for trafficking exotic African cats, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Buffalo.

The post New York man imprisoned for trafficking African wild cats first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/12/01/new-york-man-imprisoned-for-trafficking-african-wild-cats/

Guest Contributor

On:
In: Uncategorized
...HAZARDOUS TRAVEL CONDITIONS POSSIBLE FOR THE WEDNESDAY MORNING COMMUTE... Light snow will overspread the region late tonight into Wednesday morning. The snow is only expected to last for a few hours, before tapering off to light freezing drizzle or drizzle. Snow accumulations should range from a dusting to an inch, with

Original Article

Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service

Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service

https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI1261C9751C18.SpecialWeatherStatement.1261C9765498WI.GRBSPSGRB.3b77a733acfe35fc01f412b80021d336

w-nws.webmaster@noaa.gov

On:
In: AP, Drinking Water, infrastructure, Latest News, Lead, Michigan, News, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice
New lead testing method could reveal higher levels in water

By Michael Phillis, Associated Press

ST. LOUIS (AP) — For years, testing of the tap water in an upscale Detroit suburb showed the city was in the clear. Then residents got a notice seemingly out of the blue: Their water could be contaminated with elevated levels of lead.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/11/ap-lead-testing-method-higher-levels/

The Associated Press

On:
In: Anders Andren, Bob Ragotzkie, Robert Ragotzkie

In 1966, when President Lyndon Johnson signed the National Sea Grant College Act, it’s because of Robert Ragotzkie that not just oceans and the salty coasts were included in the law. The Great Lakes were also provided with resources to conduct research on and offer education and outreach related to the world’s largest source of fresh water.    

The roots of Sea Grant were in a 1963 speech delivered by a dean at the University of Minnesota, Athelstan Spilhaus, who proposed the establishment of a Sea Grant College system akin to the Land Grant College system that would develop the potential of oceans. Ragotzkie advocated the Great Lakes be included in the proposal. After all, he successfully reasoned, the lakes are inland oceans.

 Ragotzkie completed undergraduate and graduate work at Rutgers University and earned a Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1953. He then ran the Marine Studies Institute on Sapelo Island, Georgia, for five years prior to returning to Madison where he began a teaching career with the Department of Meteorology. Lakes were the focus of his scholarship and in 1968 he became the first director of the Wisconsin Sea Grant College Program. He died on Nov. 4 at the age of 97.

 “While the National Sea Grant program was in its infancy, Ragotzkie quickly managed to bring in a healthy amount of federal and state funding to make the University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Program one of the largest and most successful research, outreach and educational programs in the nation,” said Anders Andren, the second director of Wisconsin Sea Grant.

Andren continued, “His understanding of Great Lakes scientific issues, foresight and capability to attract the best research talent in the state was just phenomenal—and way ahead of its time. The Great Lakes research community, state of Wisconsin and University of Wisconsin-Madison has lost a great scientific mind and leader.”

Ragotzkie retired from UW-Madison and spent his remaining years in the Madison area. He leaves behind his wife, Elizabeth, two daughters, a son, two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

His recollections of the early days of Sea Grant, along with reflections on retirement pursuits, are captured in this 2018 blog post.

The post Advocate for Great Lakes science dies at 97 first appeared on Wisconsin Sea Grant.

Original Article

News Releases | Wisconsin Sea Grant

News Releases | Wisconsin Sea Grant

https://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/news/advocate-for-great-lakes-science-dies-at-97/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=advocate-for-great-lakes-science-dies-at-97

Moira Harrington