On:
In: Uncategorized

Comments submitted by the Great Lakes Environmental Law Center seeks greater protections for rural communities increasingly impacted by pollution from Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs). The comment, submitted to the Agriculture Commission and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, was drafted in response to a request for public comment on proposed 2022 Generally Accepted Agricultural Management Practices. In an oral comment presented at a virtual public meeting on August 25, 2021 and in a formal written comment submitted on Aug 27, 2021, GLELC attorneys highlighted the ongoing degradation of air and groundwater quality near CAFO facilities and sites where the enormous volume of animal waste they produce is sprayed or injected onto fields. Specifically, the comments stress the severe impacts this pollution has on the health and quality of life of nearby residents.

The entire comment can be read below.

Original Article

News - Great Lakes Environmental Law Center

News - Great Lakes Environmental Law Center

https://www.glelc.org/our-blog/2021/9/14/glelc-attorneys-urge-state-to-protect-health-of-rural-michiganders-from-cafo-pollution

Great Lakes Environmental Law Center

On:
In: Freshwater Weekly

August 27, 2021

This week: Support Freshwater Future by donating to our Walk, Paddle, and Roll Event + Ontario and U.S. residents share why #WeAreLakeErie + Upgrades Require Temporary Change in Flint Water Supply + Water is Life Festival, Saturday September 4th

 

Support Freshwater Future by donating to our Walk, Paddle, and Roll Event

Freshwater Future’s staff and board are raising an additional $10,000 by walking, paddling, biking, swimming, and other great activities around the Great Lakes to further our work helping people access safe, clean water resources. 

We need your help because everyone deserves safe, clean water resources from source to tap. You can make a difference today by donating to our Freshwater Future’s Walk Paddle and Roll Fundraising Challenge, which can be found here.  With YOUR support, Freshwater Future will make sure that community groups across the Great Lakes have the tools and resources they need to help make their water sources safer and cleaner.

 

Ontario and U.S. residents share why #WeAreLakeErie 

August 25th was the 5th annual celebration of #WeAreLakeErie, creating a virtual wave of support to push for actions to reduce phosphorus pollution that feed toxic algae blooms. Hundreds of users from various social media platforms participated through posting wonderful pictures and stories to highlight the importance of Lake Erie and the urgency to restore and protect this Great Lake. Freshwater Future as one of the founders of this movement is grateful for the massive participation of #WeAreLakeErie. To view the stories and photos, you can visit Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter and search: #WeAreLakeErie

 

Water is Life Festival

On September 4th the Water is Life Festival will be back to host the celebration of water and our responsibility to keep it clean, safe, and accessible. The 2021 Water is Life Festival will be in Conkling Park, Mackinac Island, MI. The Festival boasts an amazing lineup of musicians and speakers, as well as a host of other fun activities! Register now for the event for a chance to win exciting door prizes.

Original Article

Blog – Freshwater Future

Blog – Freshwater Future

https://freshwaterfuture.org/freshwater-weekly/freshwater-future-weekly-august-27-2021/

Freshwater Future

On:
In: Collaboration, diving, Lake Huron, Latest News, national marine sanctuary, News, Recreation and Tourism, Science, Technology, Research
SCUBAnauts enjoy first Great Lakes dive in Alpena

By Darby Hinkley, The Alpena News

This article is part of a collaboration between The Alpena News and Great Lakes Now at Detroit Public Television to bring audiences stories about the Great Lakes, especially Lake Huron and its watershed.

ALPENA — These teens have a lot of experience diving, but, until this month, none of them had any experience diving in any of The Great Lakes.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/08/scubanauts-great-lakes-dive-alpena/

The Alpena News

On:
In: Deb DeLuca, Duluth Port Authority, Duluth Seaway Port Authority, maritime shipping, Sea Grant Association, Susan White

It’s always nice to have one’s praises sung, and Deb DeLuca, director of the Duluth Seaway Port Authority, helped communicate the value of Sea Grant during a recent Capitol Hill briefing. The virtual briefing was held July 29 and moderated by Susan White, director of North Carolina Sea Grant. (Watch video of the briefing here.)

Sponsored by the Sea Grant Association, the briefing for members of Congress, their staffs and other interested people was designed to demonstrate the impacts Sea Grant programs have in their home states.

Deb DeLuca (submitted photo).

While DeLuca provided a Great Lakes perspective, other speakers were Beth Ginter, executive director of the Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council in Maryland, and Seth Rolbein, director of the Cape Cod Fisheries Trust in Massachusetts.

Of course, it’s no surprise that DeLuca would be a dedicated advocate for Sea Grant; after all, she serves on the advisory councils of both Wisconsin Sea Grant and Minnesota Sea Grant. That dual commitment makes perfect sense, given that the “Twin Ports” nickname refers to Duluth and Superior.

After sharing some facts about her port—the largest by tonnage on the Great Lakes and one of the top 20 in the nation, also by tonnage—DeLuca outlined some of the challenges the maritime transportation industry is facing, as well as concrete ways Sea Grant is helping with those challenges.

Some of DeLuca’s observations:

  • There’s been gentrification of the working waterfront in the Duluth/Superior area, and it’s important to work on public perceptions and social license for the shipping industry. While it may seem like all 21st century jobs are going digital, that is not the case. Roughly 8,000 jobs in DeLuca’s region are tied to shipping, and they pay well. What’s more, “These jobs are accessible across a broad range of educational backgrounds,” she said.
  • With the boom in outdoor recreation spurred by the pandemic, Sea Grant programs jumped in to keep people safe while engaging in recreational boating, kayaking and the like, such as a “Paddle Safe” program about avoiding entries to the harbor, how to behave around ships, and—for swimmers—how to stay safe from rip tides. “We do want people to use the water and for these two uses”—industry and recreation—“to exist together. Sea Grant’s been fantastic for that.”
  • DeLuca’s port has 19 miles of navigational channel that need to be dredged to remain operational, and “it’s always an issue where to put that material,” she said, as well as to determine most accurately the window of time it can be done safely. Sea Grant has pulled together fish habitat and reproduction data, as well as stakeholder input, to inform those decisions.

These are just three areas among several DeLuca noted to illustrate Sea Grant’s value in guiding smart, science-based decisions for the Great Lakes that balance the needs of various users and protect the environment for generations to come.

Watch the full briefing online to hear more of DeLuca’s comments, as well as those of her counterparts along the Atlantic Ocean.

The post At a virtual Capitol Hill briefing, Duluth port director describes Sea Grant’s impact first appeared on Wisconsin Sea Grant.

Original Article

Blog | Wisconsin Sea Grant

Blog | Wisconsin Sea Grant

https://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/blog/at-a-virtual-capitol-hill-briefing-duluth-port-director-describes-sea-grants-impact/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=at-a-virtual-capitol-hill-briefing-duluth-port-director-describes-sea-grants-impact

Jennifer Smith

On:
In: Drinking Water, Feature Homepage, Gary Wilson, Latest News, News, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, The States, Water Withdrawals
Question of Diversion: Great Lakes governors group silent on future water threats

“Lake Michigan coming to Idaho.”

That’s a potential solution to Idaho’s drought conditions suggested by a Twin Falls radio commentator in June. He said Idaho’s current drought is in its second year and cited a previous drought in the not-too-distant past that lasted seven years. The commentator went on to talk about pipelines of Great Lakes water heading west and their feasibility.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/08/diversion-great-lakes-governors-future-water-threats/

Gary Wilson

On:
In: Uncategorized

By Anna-Lisa Castle, Water Policy Manager at the Alliance for the Great Lakes 

Anna-Lisa

My Work. My Community
As a Water Policy Manager at the Alliance for the Great Lakes and as a resident of the McKinley Park neighborhood on Chicago’s southwest side, I wear two hats.

I am a water policy professional working to develop and advance policy solutions to complex water infrastructure and governance challenges, like safely removing toxic lead drinking water pipes without burdening households already struggling with water affordability and quality challenges. This is especially urgent as there is no safe level of lead in water, which can cause irreparable harm to neurological development in children and myriad other health impacts to people of all ages.

I am also part of an environmental justice community – McKinely Park – of about 15,000 people, plurality Latino and Asian with majority low- and moderate-income households in older housing stock served by lead service lines. We have heavy truck traffic and industrial activity and our neighborhood have increasingly been targeted for development.

When the ground literally shakes under semis and bulldozers, I think about the lead pipes delivering drinking water to all of us. I wonder if the corrosion treatment lining those pipes has been compromised or if toxic lead particles have shaken loose, leaching into the water we drink, cook with, and bathe our children in. I wonder if my multilingual neighbors are able to access information or resources to protect themselves against lead contamination. And I wonder how lead in water factors into the layers of other stressors on my neighborhood, including industrial pollution, rising housing and utility costs, and, recently, the havoc wreaked by the coronavirus pandemic. Cumulative impact is something my neighbors and I are deeply concerned about and work to address as part of our local, community-based organization, Neighbors for Environmental Justice. 

Illinois Taking Steps to Eliminate Lead-Contaminated Drinking Water
Aging lead service lines represent an unnecessary public health liability even when they sit undisturbed and largely invisible to the public, connecting millions of households to water mains around the country. The problem is national in scope, with an estimated 10+ million lead service lines in use, not to mention millions more made of “unknown materials”. Taken together, the Great Lakes – which provide drinking water to 30+ million people in the U.S. – are home to 7 of the top 10 states with the highest number of lead service lines.

Illinois is at the top of that list, with Chicago the epicenter of this national crisis.. The Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act (HB 3739), approved by the Illinois General Assembly earlier this year, is due for the governor’s signature within days. Illinois will become the second U.S. state to pass lead service line replacement legislation, following Michigan. Leaders at Metropolitan Planning Council, Illinois Environmental Council, Natural Resources Defense Council, Little Village Environmental Justice Organization, and many others deserve a lot of credit in getting us here. Communities, water utilities, state agencies, and nonprofit partners will need to be diligent to ensure the law is implemented equitably.

Many states have required inventories to identify lead service lines, but more of our Great Lakes states should step up to support full replacement and safe, affordable, lead-free drinking water. Communities don’t have to wait for state legislation. We can look to cities like Cincinnati, Ohio, Madison, Wisconsin, and Denver, Colorado which has taken on full lead service line replacement with cost-sharing options or no cost to homeowners.

Congressional Action Needed
And Congress must step up, too. The Great Lakes Congressional delegation must continue to prioritize lead service line replacement in the federal infrastructure package and keep or increase proposed funding levels to address the multibillion-dollar backlog of drinking water infrastructure needs. According to the American Water Works Association, an estimated $1 trillion is needed to repair, replace, and expand drinking water systems over the next two decades. Water infrastructure funding must also include support for technical assistance to community water systems that most need it to develop robust, equitable lead service line replacement programs and strategies to engage the people they serve in that process.

US EPA Must Take Clear and Decisive Action
At the same time, the US Environmental Protection Agency must take a strong, science-backed, and health-based approach to revise and update the federal Lead and Copper Rule (LCR). A strong federal LCR is essential for driving action and setting a high bar for communities around the country, including my hometown of Chicago, where I have worked with valued colleagues on the city’s Lead Service Line Replacement Working Group. Even as US EPA continues to review and revise the LCR, the anticipated rule is already serving as an impetus for cities like Chicago to start on lead service line replacement and get ahead of federal action. Clear and decisive action by US EPA on the federal lead rule is needed to safeguard public health.

Looking to the Future
Safe, affordable, lead-free water is essential for everyone in the region, but too many are living without this basic water security. Public policy governing our drinking water must take a health-based, equity-driven approach that speeds up, not slows down, removal of toxins from our water. The Alliance looks forward to continuing to work with our partners, US EPA, and the Great Lakes Congressional delegation to ensure that communities have the tools they need to realize safe, clean affordable water for all.

Tell Congress: It’s Time To Fix Our Failing Water Infrastructure

No one should be without clean, affordable water in their home. No one should have to worry about sewage backing up into their basement or community flooding from failing wastewater systems.

Take Action

The post Illinois shows leadership for lead-free drinking water; further action is needed across the Great Lakes region appeared first on Alliance for the Great Lakes.

Original Article

News – Alliance for the Great Lakes

News – Alliance for the Great Lakes

https://greatlakes.org/2021/08/illinois-shows-leadership-for-lead-free-drinking-water-further-action-is-needed-across-the-great-lakes-region/

Michelle Farley

On:
In: Daily News

Much of the history regarding the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald surrounds what was lost, but there is an important item that was found — and it’s now on full display. In the summer of 1995, months before the 20th anniversary of the ship’s sinking in November 1975, a mission was started to recover the bell on the Edmund Fitzgerald. Read the full story by KSAT-TV- Paradise, MI.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210827-fitzgerald

Ken Gibbons

On:
In: Daily News

The proposed Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary has been in the planning stages for years and would include hundreds of square miles of Lake Ontario off Cayuga, New York. As officials continue narrowing options for a possible marine sanctuary, a series of public information sessions has been scheduled. Read the full story by The Citizen.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210827-sanctuary-ontario

Ken Gibbons

On:
In: Daily News

Great Lakes steel production dipped by 2,000 tons last week, though U.S. steel mills remained at 85% capacity utilization. National steel output is up more than nearly 20% so far this year and more than 27% higher than at the same time last year. Read the full story by the Northwest Indiana Times.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210827-steel

Ken Gibbons

On:
In: Daily News

Erosion, flooding and high water levels are some of the most concerning issues across the Great Lakes region. But communities lack the funding, knowledgeable staff and support from government agencies to face these issues. Read the full story by Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210827-coastal

Ken Gibbons

On:
In: Budget, Climate change, Feature Homepage, Latest News, News, Ontario, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice
Coastal Concerns: Communities lack skilled staff and funding to tackle erosion and flooding

Erosion, flooding and high water levels are some of the most concerning issues across the Great Lakes region, according to a recent survey.

But communities lack the funding, knowledgeable staff and support from government agencies to face these issues.

Water levels in the Great Lakes basin change naturally with recurring high and low water levels.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/08/coastal-resilience-communities-funding-erosion-flooding/

Taylor Haelterman

On:
In: AP, Climate change, Forests and Plants, isle royale, Michigan, News
Fire on Michigan’s remote Isle Royale 15 percent contained

ISLE ROYAL, Mich. (AP) — A wildfire on Michigan’s remote Isle Royale has been about 15% percent contained and crews have saved some historic cabins from encroaching flames, an official said Wednesday.

The fire began Aug. 10, apparently sparked by a lightning strike on the drought-stricken wilderness island, said Liz Valencia, a spokeswoman for Isle Royale National Park.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/08/ap-fire-michigan-isle-royale-15-percent-contained/

The Associated Press

On:
In: AP, enbridge, Enbridge Line 5 and Other Pipelines, indigenous communities, line 3, Minnesota, News, oil pipelines
Line 3 opponents descend on Minnesota Capitol to seek a stop

By Mohamed Ibrahim, Associated Press/Report for America

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Protesters descended upon the Minnesota State Capitol on Wednesday to rally against Enbridge Energy’s Line 3 oil pipeline as the project nears completion.

The rally, part of a series of events called Treaties over Tar Sands organized by Indigenous and environmental activists, called on Gov.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/08/ap-line-3-opponents-minnesota-capitol/

The Associated Press

On:
In: Uncategorized
...AIR QUALITY ADVISORY ISSUED FOR VILAS, ONEIDA, FOREST, FLORENCE, MARINETTE, LINCOLN, LANGLADE, MENOMINEE, OCONTO, DOOR, MARATHON, SHAWANO, WOOD, PORTAGE, WAUPACA, OUTAGAMIE, BROWN, AND KEWAUNEE COUNTIES... The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has issued an Air Quality Advisory for Particle Pollution which will remain in

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=WI1261B31D0390.AirQualityAlert.1261B32ABC10WI.GRBAQAGRB.a99a1adb33cd2194593c574ec8b79cde

w-nws.webmaster@noaa.gov

On:
In: Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, Success Stories

After years of clean-up efforts, the Ashtabula River in Ohio is no longer considered one of the “most environmentally degraded” areas in the Great Lakes Region thanks, in part, to Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) funding. The cleanup was a large integrated effort between the EPA, U.S. Corps of Engineers, Ohio EPA, the Ashtabula City Port Authority, and others, and included the removal of massive amounts of contaminated sediment from the bottom of the river, the installation of 2,500 feet of fish habitat, and remediation of the Fields Brook Superfund site.

“This is a clear example of how federal funding is producing results in local communities toward safe, clean drinking water, increasing recreational opportunities, and accelerating clean-up efforts in some of the most polluted communities in the region,” said Laura Rubin, director of the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition. “We are thrilled with the delisting and realize that there are other toxic sites around the region that continue to pollute the water, poison drinking water, and make the fish unsafe to eat. The additional $1 billion for the GLRI in the recently passed bipartisan infrastructure bill will continue and expand this important work for the health and safety of the region.”

The post Ashtabula River in Ohio Removed from Areas of Concern List appeared first on Healing Our Waters Coalition.

Original Article

Healing Our Waters Coalition

Healing Our Waters Coalition

https://healthylakes.org/ashtabula-river-in-ohio-removed-from-areas-of-concern-list/

Jordan Lubetkin

On:
In: American Players Theater, Anne Moser, Ginny Carlton, NOAA Marine Debris Program, The Play's the Thing

Plastic pollution at the Magee Marsh Wildlife Area on Lake Erie demonstrates the problem of marine debris in the Great Lakes. Image credit: NOAA

Wisconsin Sea Grant is leading one of six projects recently funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Marine Debris Program. The projects, announced today, focus on preventing the introduction of marine debris (trash, fishing gear and microplastics) into coastal and Great Lakes environments.

Wisconsin’s project is, “The Play’s the Thing: Using Drama as an Introduction to Marine Debris Prevention and Meaningful Stewardship Experiences.” Led by Ginny Carlton with help from Anne Moser and Jim Hurley, the project will harness the power of storytelling to engage, educate and inspire performing artists and community members to be committed stewards of their Great Lakes watershed.

The team will work with the American Players Theater to pilot a theatrical piece about marine debris science to educate and motivate change in two Lake Michigan communities (Racine and Egg Harbor, Wisconsin). In addition to the performance, the project includes marine debris prevention workshops, cleanup events, and public outreach and education activities. The script from the play will be available for use for Great Lakes education after the project is completed.

The other five projects are coming from Sea Grant programs in Florida, Georgia, Hawai’i, Illinois-Indiana and Puerto Rico. They were awarded $300,000 in federal funds, matched by nonfederal contributions, bringing the total investment to approximately $600,000. The activities begin this summer and continue for up to two years.

See the full list of projects.

“The continued effort between Sea Grant and the Marine Debris Program leverages the strengths of both programs to effectively address marine debris challenges nationwide,” said National Sea Grant College Program director Jonathan Pennock. “We look forward to seeing these new and creative strategies for marine debris prevention.”

This is the second year that Sea Grant and the Marine Debris Program offered a joint funding opportunity. Projects funded in the first year were aimed at reducing marine debris across the U.S.

The post Using drama as an introduction to marine debris prevention first appeared on Wisconsin Sea Grant.

Original Article

Blog | Wisconsin Sea Grant

Blog | Wisconsin Sea Grant

https://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/blog/using-drama-as-an-introduction-to-marine-debris-prevention/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=using-drama-as-an-introduction-to-marine-debris-prevention

Marie Zhuikov

On:
In: Daily News

U.S. and Canadian researchers completed a reference genome, or digital genetic map, for lake trout. The feat should boost efforts to rebuild populations of the prized fish in the Great Lakes and other North American waters where they’ve been hammered by invasive species, overfishing and pollution. Read the full story by The Associated Press.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210825-trout-genome

Patrick Canniff

On:
In: Daily News

The western region of Lake Superior has seen increases in precipitation intensity of around 35-40% since the mid-1900s. These heavy rains wash loads of sediment and nutrients directly into the lake and into surrounding rivers that lead into the lake, providing a banquet for blue-green algae. Read the full story by Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210825-algal-bloom

Patrick Canniff

On:
In: Daily News

Aerial surveys conducted by Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission wildlife biologists in northern Wisconsin have indicated that 2021 may be one of the worst wild rice crop years since a 2010 disease outbreak. Read the full story by WXPR–TV – Rhinelander, WI.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210825-wild-rice

Patrick Canniff

On:
In: Daily News

Environmental groups are calling on the Air Force and the State of Michigan to get serious about cleaning up PFAS from decades of training and firefighting foam around the site of the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base. Read the full story by NPR.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210825-pfas

Patrick Canniff

On:
In: Daily News

After nearly three decades of remediation, Muskegon Lake is on the verge of being delisted as an environmental “area of concern.” Three remaining restoration and cleanup projects are on track to be finished by Sept. 30. Once completed, the popular recreational lake connected to Lake Michigan will cross a major step forward in being removed from the list of heavily polluted Great Lakes sites. Read the full story by MLive.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210825-remediation

Patrick Canniff

On:
In: birds, Feature Homepage, Fish, Birds and Animals, habitat, Habitat Restoration, Latest News, Natasha Blakely, News, Research, Research, Data and Technology, science
Side by Side: The biggest challenge for birds is cohabiting with humans

North America has 3 billion fewer birds today than five decades ago, according to a recent scientific study.

That loss equates to more than a quarter of the continent’s entire bird population, and the research documenting the decline has shown that it may be worse than first realized.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/08/north-america-bird-population-habitat/

Natasha Blakely

On:
In: Daily News

Environmental groups are asking social media users to show their support for Lake Erie and push politicians to address the lake’s failing health by posting Lake Erie stories to Instagram, Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag #WeAreLakeErie to create what organizers call “a virtual wave of support for the lake.” Read the full story by The Hamilton Spectator.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210825-social-media-lake

Patrick Canniff

On:
In: Daily News

Perhaps the most disturbing conclusion of the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report is the permanence of climate impacts. Changes like shrinking ice sheets, rising sea levels and oxygen depletion and acidification of the oceans are deemed “irreversible for centuries to millennia.” Read the full story by The Intelligencer.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210825-climate-change

Patrick Canniff

On:
In: Daily News

The “Reimagine the Canals” initiative is a perfect chance to evaluate which of these approaches best fits the Erie Canal. We missed the chance to keep round gobies bottled up in the Great Lakes, but barriers on the Erie Canal could stop or slow the arrival of even more damaging invaders. Read the full story by Time Union.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210825-invasive-species

Patrick Canniff

On:
In: Daily News

Vacuum trucks will suck up the algae mats for disposal at the Woodward Wastewater Treatment Plant by Wednesday. Public health doesn’t yet know if the mats are blue-green algae — a toxic form of bacteria potentially harmful to humans and pets that closed the beach at Pier 4 to swimming in July. Read the full story by the Hamilton Spectator.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210825-algae

Patrick Canniff

On:
In: Daily News

The polluted water has prompted Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper to work on an ambitious restoration plan to restore the health of the lake and possibly pave the way for it to eventually connect with Scajaquada Creek, a tributary of the Niagara River. Read the full story by the Buffalo News.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210825-lake-restoration

Patrick Canniff

On:
In: AP, Climate change, forest, Forests and Plants, isle royale, Michigan, News
Trails, camps closed on Isle Royale after wildfire expands

ISLE ROYAL, Mich. (AP) — A wildfire that’s burned about 200 acres on Michigan’s remote Isle Royale has prompted the National Park Service to close some trails and campground areas on the wilderness island.

The park service said Sunday on the Isle Royale National Park’s Facebook page that the closures were necessary “to maintain public health and safety” after the fire on the Lake Superior island’s east end expanded over the weekend amid lingering drought conditions.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/08/ap-trails-camps-closed-isle-royale-wildfire/

The Associated Press

On:
In: AP, fish, Fish, Birds and Animals, News, Research, Research, Data and Technology, science
Genetic mapping boosts hopes for restoring prized lake trout

By John Flesher, AP Environmental Writer

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — Scientists have traced the genetic makeup of lake trout, a feat that should boost efforts to rebuild populations of the prized fish in the Great Lakes and other North American waters where they’ve been hammered by invasive species, overfishing and pollution, officials said Tuesday.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/08/ap-genetic-mapping-restoration-lake-trout/

The Associated Press

On:
In: AP, enbridge, Enbridge Line 5 and Other Pipelines, indigenous communities, line 3, Minnesota, News, oil pipelines
Minnesota Supreme Court delivers blow to Line 3 opponents

By Steve Karnowski, Associated Press Writer

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to hear an appeal by opponents of Enbridge Energy’s Line 3 oil pipeline, letting stand a key decision by independent regulators to allow construction on the project to proceed.

Without comment, the state’s highest court declined to take the case, issuing a one-page order that effectively affirmed a decision in June by the Minnesota Court of Appeals. 

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/08/ap-minnesota-supreme-court-line-3-opponents/

The Associated Press

On:
In: Algae Blooms, Climate change, Collaboration, Duluth, harmful algal blooms, Lake Superior, Latest News, Minnesota, News
Scientists look for clues to Lake Superior algae blooms

By Dan Kraker, Minnesota Public Radio

A couple weekends ago, Cody Sheik was at a friend’s wedding on Duluth’s Park Point, sipping champagne down on the Lake Superior beach, when he spotted something unusual in the normally crystal clear water.

“It was definitely a bloom,” he recalled.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/08/scientists-clues-lake-superior-algae-blooms/

Dan Kraker

On:
In: Uncategorized
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of Brown, southeastern Portage, Kewaunee, Calumet, Winnebago, Waushara, southern Waupaca, Outagamie and Manitowoc Counties through 1230 PM CDT... At 1125 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along a line extending from 7 miles northeast of Black Creek to 6 miles east of Kaukauna to near Central Lake Winnebago. Movement was east

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=WI1261B2FEADF0.SpecialWeatherStatement.1261B2FED5C8WI.GRBSPSGRB.49ba12c528f95a4904203ed116f11364

w-nws.webmaster@noaa.gov

On:
In: AP, Climate change, Forests and Plants, Minnesota, News
Minnesota wildfires disappoint travelers and outfitters

ELY, Minn. (AP) — Ely is typically teeming this time of year with visitors heading out on or returning from excursions into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. But about the only cars in the northeastern Minnesota town with canoes strapped to their tops this week are leaving.

Several fires inside and just outside the country’s most visited wilderness area led officials to close it last weekend, dealing a blow to those who spent months planning their trips there and to the outfitters and other businesses that depend on them.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/08/ap-minnesota-wildfires-disappoint-travelers-outfitters/

The Associated Press

On:
In: Freshwater Weekly

August 20, 2021

This week: Attention Water Advocates: Apply for Freshwater Future Grants by September 30 + Hope for Chicago Residents through Utility Bill Relief + Don’t Miss Your Opportunity to Speak for Wetland and Stream Protections + State Updates Pellston, MI Community on PFAS Contamination Investigation + Genetic Control Methods Studied to Reduce Invasive Mussels

Attention Water Advocates: Apply for Freshwater Future Grants by September 30

Freshwater Future has been fortunate to provide nearly $5 million in grants to grassroots community organizations over more than 25 years. Community-based and grassroots organizations working on a water issue to encourage permanent change at the corporate, community, or regulatory level may be eligible for funding. You can learn more about our Grants Program by watching this recorded webinar.  

Hope for Chicago Residents through Utility Bill Relief

With one of the largest bodies of freshwater in its backyard, it is unbelievable that many Chicagoans don’t have water service or cannot afford their water bill. The city of Chicago is combating this with their Utility Billing Relief program, but this allows many to fall through the cracks of the program because only homeowners in certain income requirements qualify. For assistance applying for the Utility Billing Relief program, you can connect with one of Freshwater Future’s partners, the Chicago Water Alliance.

Don’t Miss Your Opportunity to Speak for Wetland and Stream Protections 

The U.S. EPA wants to hear from you! They want to hear if you believe the Dirty Water Rule should be repealed and what waterways should be protected under the Clean Water Act. As a reminder, the Dirty Water Rule would wipe out protections from at least 50% of the remaining wetlands and approximately 18% of stream miles across the country, according to the U.S. EPA. Tell the U.S. EPA to repeal this destructive rule today and restore the protections for small streams and wetlands that help cleanse our drinking water of pollution. You can attend and provide comments at one of the remaining public hearings.  

State Updates Pellston, MI Community on PFAS Contamination Investigation

Recently Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) officials gave an update on their investigation to determine the extent of groundwater contaminated by fire retardants containing PFAS chemicals used at the local airport.  The village does not have a public water supply and homeowners source their water from private wells. So far 107 homes have received water filters to reduce the contamination and will need to continue to use the filters until a long-term solution is implemented. 

Genetic Control Methods Studied to Reduce Invasive Mussels 

Zebra mussels have caused angst in the Great Lakes for over 30 years, endangering native species and throwing the aquatic ecosystem out of balance. Scientists are using the DNA blueprint or genome of zebra mussels to identify potential targets to control and reduce populations and impacts.  The work is in its infancy but it may provide options to reduce their threat and reproduction throughout our waters without harming other species in the process. 

Original Article

Blog – Freshwater Future

Blog – Freshwater Future

https://freshwaterfuture.org/freshwater-weekly/freshwater-future-weekly-august-20-2021/

Freshwater Future

On:
In: Freshwater Weekly

This week: Water System Infrastructure Included in $1 Trillion Infrastructure Bill + Utility Debt Relief Will Help Keep Water on as COVID Surges + Lake Erie Challenge + New Sail Drones Used to Collect Data on Great Lakes + Grant Webinar on August 18 + Water is Life Festival on September 3

Water System Infrastructure Included in $1 Trillion Infrastructure Bill

After decades of little investment in our nation’s infrastructure, the Biden administration has passed a much needed $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill. The largest share of the funds, $110 billion will go to roads. with $55 billion for improvements to water systems infrastructure. The nation is well overdue for an upgrade in its infrastructure and passing this bill is a big step forward in improving the quality of water and the efficiencies of our water systems.

Utility Debt Relief Could Help Keep Water on as COVID Surges

Millions of people across the country currently do not have access to tap water or are facing their water being shut-off due to the billions of dollars of utility debt that has grown exponentially during the pandemic. As the Delta COVID variant cases ramp up, it is imperative to pass legislation that secures utility debt relief so everyone has the ability to wash their hands and masks.  A recently introduced bill in the U.S. House of Representatives would eliminate water, electric, and internet household debt. You can help get this important bill passed.

The Lake Erie Challenge is coming August 28!

Lake Erie is one of the largest bodies of water providing drinking water, places for recreation, and habitat for aquatic life, yet it is still struggling with Harmful Algal Blooms due largely to agricultural runoff. On August 28th, local athletes are taking the Lake Erie Challenge with the Canadian Freshwater Alliance. They will cover 80km via SUPs, canoes, and wing foils to celebrate and protect #LakeErie. Learn more and lend your support at LakeErieChallenge.ca

New Saildrones Used to Collect Data on Great Lakes

Innovative technology called saildrones set sail on the Great Lakes to collect scientific data including meteorological data. The pair of 23-foot tall saildrones are gathering information on fish in Lake Michigan and Lake Huron in August and September. The technology is built with solar energy for charging and wind energy for movement. Click here to learn more about the saildrones study in the Great Lakes. 

Need Funds for Your Water Work? Join the Grants Webinar on August 18

Freshwater Future has been fortunate to provide Grant Programs for grassroots community organizations for over 25 years. Learn more about our Grants Program, Wednesday, August 18, 2021 – noon (EST). To register online, please click HERE. To register by email or phone, please contact laurie@freshwaterfuture.org (231)348-8200. Also, visit the map on our website to learn more about our Grant Programs funding initiatives and their impact on past projects. 

Water is Life Festival

On September 3rd the Water is Life Festival will be back to host the celebration of water in support of protecting waters rights. The 2021 Water is Life Festival will be in Conkling Park, Mackinac Island, MI. The Festival boasts an amazing lineup of musicians as well as a host of other fun activities! Register now for the event for a chance to win exciting door prizes.

Original Article

Blog – Freshwater Future

Blog – Freshwater Future

https://freshwaterfuture.org/freshwater-weekly/freshwater-future-weekly-august-13-2021/

Freshwater Future

On:
In: Algae Blooms, Climate change, Feature Homepage, harmful algal blooms, Lake Superior, Latest News, News, Ontario, Wisconsin
Lake Superior Summer: Blue-green algal blooms come to a lake once believed immune

On a calm morning in late summer 2019, Jim Bailey was kayaking on Lake Superior near Thunder Bay, Ontario, when he found himself paddling through thick green scum, the likes of which he’d never seen in those waters. Puzzled, he headed into the open bay where he could see green patches stretching out about 3 kilometers.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/08/lake-superior-summer-algae-bloom/

Sharon Oosthoek

On:
In: AP, Chicago, Feature-Chicago, Illinois, Michigan, News
Illinois woman swims across iconic Michigan lake twice

ALDEN, Mich. (AP) — A medical student from Illinois has swum across one of Michigan’s largest inland lakes — twice — to raise money and awareness about diabetes.

Marian Cardwell accomplished the 35-mile feat at Torch Lake in Antrim County after dropping a plan to swim across Lake Michigan from Chicago to Grand Haven, the Traverse City Record-Eagle reported.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/08/ap-illinois-woman-swims-michigan-torch-lake-twice/

The Associated Press

On:
In: AP, Detroit, Feature Detroit, Michigan, News
Program aims to capture storm drain debris headed to lake

ROSEVILLE, Mich. (AP) — A new program in Macomb County aims to reduce the amount of trash that reaches Lake St. Clair from a storm drain.

A steel bulkhead and a boom have been installed at the outlet of the sewer to capture floating debris before it enters the lake, the Macomb County Public Works office said.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/08/ap-program-storm-drain-debris-lake-st-clair/

The Associated Press