TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration released a plan Friday to make sure Michigan will have enough propane if a controversial pipeline is shut down.
The strategy addresses a frequent objection to the Democratic governor’s demand that Enbridge Inc.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/03/ap-whitmer-plan-supply-propane-line-5-pipeline/
By Samuel Blatchford Capital News Service Amtrak is trying to get back on track after ridership dropped on Michigan routes over 40% since the pandemic started last March. Amtrak operates three routes in Michigan: The Wolverine, which runs between Detroit and Chicago; the Pere Marquette, which runs between Grand Rapids and Chicago; and the Blue […]
The post Full steam ahead: Amtrak focused on resuming regular service to Michigan routes first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/03/15/full-steam-ahead-amtrak-focused-on-resuming-regular-service-to-michigan-routes/
As farmworkers from other states and countries come to work in Michigan, the need for safe and affordable off-farm housing options is becoming increasingly important, a recent task force report said.
The post Farmworkers need more off-site housing, Michigan task force says first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/03/15/farmworkers-need-more-off-site-housing-michigan-task-force-says/
Green Bay, WI
https://www.weather.gov/www.weather.gov/safety/flood-states-wi
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.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/03/pfas-news-roundup-indiana-introduces-pfas-bills-michigan-citizens-unhappy-about-8-month-disclosure-delay/
Fifty-nine years after Rachel Carson published Silent Spring, the struggles to address and reduce the impacts of toxic pollution continue as shown in the stories below. However, as the first day of spring approaches, Freshwater Future is energized to keep working on solutions to these challenges. Together with our supporters and partners, we can bring about positive change.
As the weather warms, shoreline communities like Toledo, OH are dreading the return of harmful algal blooms as excessive nutrient pollution from farmlands that feed the blooms drain to Lake Erie. Freshwater Future staff member, Kristy Meyer, quoted in this report shares that requesting farmers to reduce nutrient pollution voluntarily has failed and now it is time to do what is necessary, set regulations.
These toxic harmful algal blooms cost adjacent Lake Erie communities tens of millions of dollars from extra costs to treat water, lost revenue from tourism, and the negative impacts on property values. Alexis Smith, Freshwater Future staff member and Toledo resident, also quoted in the article, “These factory farms do the bare minimum to mitigate runoff, sometimes nothing at all, and we’re the ones paying for it.” Currently, farmers receive grants to reduce pollution, yet the burden and cost is borne by residents in downstream communities.
Studies show 97% of American’s blood is contaminated with the toxic family of chemicals called PFAS that are found in everyday products such as food wrappers, nonstick pans, water and stain repellents, even dental floss. After reporting on these harmful chemicals, journalist Tom Perkins was curious whether he has PFAS in his blood. Lab analysis of Perkins’ blood and that of his cat, Ling Ling, showed elevated levels of PFAS that could contribute to illness. Federal regulations for the entire class of PFAS chemicals are needed to reduce exposure to these pervasive toxic chemicals.
West Michigan residents residing in Kalamazoo and Kent Counties are urged to have their blood tested for PFAS as part of a PFAS exposure and health study being conducted by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. To learn more and determine if you’re eligible, please click here.
As the understanding of the health concerns from the family of toxic forever chemicals called PFAS increases, more efforts are underway to address these harmful contaminants. Continue to be informed, click here for recent updates regarding PFAS contamination in the Great Lake region
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has been accepting venison from hunters for decades to feed the hungry. Donated venison was analyzed over the past ten years finding over 7% of venison was contaminated with lead from ammunition. The State estimates over a half million pounds of venison was distributed to the public with lead in the last ten years. Adoption of nontoxic ammunition requirements could greatly reduce this source of lead exposure to the public.
Blog – Freshwater Future
https://freshwaterfuture.org/freshwater-weekly/freshwater-weekly-march-12-2021/
Pet stores in 32 American states were recently found to be selling moss balls studded with invasive zebra mussels, and the U.S. government wants the mollusks gone, one mangled moss ball at a time. Read the full story by Atlas Obscura.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210312-balls
The Biden administration said Wednesday it was delaying the effective date of a policy intended to prevent lead pollution of drinking water, continuing a decades-old debate over how to remove a serious health hazard to children. Read the full story by The Associated Press.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210312-bidenepa
Great Lakes water levels continue to track below 2020′s record levels, although Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie remain well above long-term average levels. Read the full story by MLive.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210312-tracking
New research finds the annual dead zone in Lake Erie is getting a boost that makes it worse very quickly. Read the full story by Great Lakes Echo.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210312-deadzone
After a century of abandonment, after seasons of water and ice tearing at its base, the Waugoshance Lighthouse in Emmet County, Michigan, will be swallowed by Lake Michigan. The only mystery is when. Read the full story by the Detroit Free Press.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210312-nolighthouse
A proposed new general management plan for Leelanau State Park on Lake Michigan in Northport, Michigan, will look into making a few updates without changing the park’s rustic nature. Read the full story by MLive.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210312-rustic
The National Weather Service in Duluth, Minnesota, is starting a new marine forecast zone March 30 specific to the waters of Lake Superior surrounding the Apostle Islands. Read the full story by the Duluth News Tribune.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210312-apostle
One of the defining sights of a Minnesota winter is looking out on a frozen lake and seeing people sitting on stools, fishing rods in their hands. But how safe is it, really, to walk on the iced-over lakes? Read the full story by the Star Tribune.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210312-icylake
The trumpeter swan, the white-feathered bird that wades through wetlands, remains on Ohio’s threatened species list, though its population is growing, including in Northeast Ohio. Read the full story by Cleveland.com.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210312-swans
A group from Kincardine, Ontario, is pitching some life-saving ideas to improve safety at their beach and pier on Lake Huron. Read the full story by CTV News.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210312-stoplight
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:
Illinois:
A boil water advisory announced Thursday for the town of Eaton has been lifted after the issue was repaired and testing showed the water was safe, the town announced Saturday night.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/03/drinking-water-great-lakes-lead-schools-minnesota-water-exhibit-wisconsin/
By Elena Bruess, 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.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/03/canadian-government-water-insecurity-first-nations-communities/
With extreme weather across the nation and the failure of water infrastructure systems in Texas, Michigan residents may be wondering if the state is up to dealing with extreme and unexpected weather conditions such as floods and tornadoes.
The post Extreme weather threatens aging water infrastructure first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/03/12/extreme-weather-threatens-aging-water-infrastructure/
Large airports in Michigan such as those in Detroit and Grand Rapids have seen a loss in revenue and passengers since the pandemic began. Small airports in Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula are confronting those same problems, but the negative effects are bigger.
The post Small airports suffer big hits amidst pandemic first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/03/12/small-airports-suffer-big-hits-amidst-pandemic/
Members of the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition are supporting the nomination of U.S. Representative Deb Haaland as Secretary of the Department of the Interior (DOI). In a letter to our U.S. Senators, Great Lakes advocates wrote: “As a longtime advocate for clean water with a stellar bipartisan record, Rep. Haaland will listen to science and ensure the Interior Department fulfills its obligation to the public by protecting our region’s lakes, rivers, and streams.”
Read the Coalition’s letter here.
The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition Members said:
“Rep. Haaland has the experience and shown the leadership needed to guide the Department forward, proving herself ready to address the existential threat of climate change to our region, enhance Great Lakes restoration, and to work in collaboration with our communities and Tribal Nations to ensure DOI creates equitable opportunities for all American to enjoy our public lands and waters. We are pleased to offer our support for this nomination.”
HOW-Haaland-DOI-Nomination-Support-Letter-3.12.21-v.Final-Signed
The post Great Lakes Groups Support U.S. Representative Deb Haaland as Secretary of the Department of the Interior appeared first on Healing Our Waters Coalition.
Healing Our Waters Coalition
https://healthylakes.org/great-lakes-groups-support-deb-halland-as-secretary-of-interior/
By Lester Graham, 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.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/03/university-michigan-discovery-lake-erie-dead-zone/
Green Bay, WI
https://www.weather.gov/grb/radaroutage2021
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — The Biden administration said Wednesday it was delaying the effective date of a policy intended to prevent lead pollution of drinking water, continuing a decades-old debate over how to remove a serious health hazard to children.
The Environmental Protection Agency said it was suspending a regulatory rewrite completed by the Trump administration in December, which is being challenged in court by numerous states and advocacy groups.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/03/ap-biden-epa-trump-rule-lead-drinking-water/
Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service
https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI1261946B16A8.WindAdvisory.1261946BA410WI.GRBNPWGRB.4abb2193326b417b043c455c31204698
According to new research from Climate Central, a nonprofit news organization that analyzes and reports on climate science, although there are still high coverage years, the annual maximum ice coverage on the Great Lakes is 22 percent lower on average, compared to 50 years ago, with years of low ice cover becoming more frequent. Read the full story by WNEM- TV – Bay City, MI.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210311-ice-coverage
Some anglers and conservationists oppose a controversial catfishing bill introduced in the Michigan Legislature. Read the full story by Great Lakes Echo.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210311-fishing
Five Michigan congressional members signed a letter Wednesday pressing President Joe Biden to stop Enbridge’s Line 5, an oil pipeline, from being potentially shut down in May. Read the full story by MLive.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210311-line5
2021 Wisconsin Water Week is a conference meant to bring river and lake lovers from all over Wisconsin together to share research, educational strategies and new ideas about how to care for the water of the state. Read and listen to the full story by Wisconsin Public Radio.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210311-wisconsin-water-week
The SS Badger will carry passengers and cargo in the Great Lakes from May 20 through Oct. 10 this year and will run at a full 600-person capacity. Read the full story by Manitowoc Herald Times.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210311-ss-badger
Step one in prepping for the 2021 shipping season in the Twin Ports started Wednesday as the U.S. Coast Guard broke up ice with the cutter Alder. Read the full story by KBJR-TV- Duluth, MN.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210311-coast-guard
The Stannard Rock Lighthouse, located 25 miles from the shore of Marquette in Michigan’s upper peninsula, has the longest distance separating a lighthouse from shore on the continent. Read the full story by WKFR – Kalamazoo, MI.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210311-loneliest-place
The Ohio Lake Erie Commission and Ohio Environmental Protection Agency are seeking public comments on the proposed removal of a beneficial use impairment within the Cuyahoga River Area of Concern. Read the full story by the Akron Beacon Journal.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210311-cuyahoga-river
After three years of extraordinarily high levels on Lake Ontario that flooded properties and marinas, residents are hoping for some normal this year. Read the full story by The Syracuse Post-Standard.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210311-lake-ontario
American infrastructure that manages water for drinking, agriculture, transportation, and flood control faces a mounting backlog of maintenance needs, witnesses and members of a congressional subcommittee chaired by Ohio U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D., Toledo) said during a two-hour online hearing Wednesday. Read the full story by the Toledo Blade.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210311-kaptur
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate on Wednesday confirmed Ohio Rep. Marcia Fudge to head the Department of Housing and Urban Development and North Carolina regulator Michael Regan to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, picking up the pace for confirmations in President Joe Biden’s Cabinet.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/03/ap-senate-confirms-fudge-regan-epa/
Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service
https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI1261946AA240.WindAdvisory.1261946B2EE0WI.GRBNPWGRB.4abb2193326b417b043c455c31204698
Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service
https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI12619469DD60.WindAdvisory.1261946B2EE0WI.GRBNPWGRB.89944feda1a8a0f2d9a1083e3bcd6ced
NCEI News Feed
http://www.ncei.noaa.gov/news/day-2011-japan-earthquake-and-tsunami
Some anglers and conservationists oppose a controversial catfishing bill introduced in the Michigan Legislature.
The post Conservation experts wary of legalizing trotlines and juglines first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/03/11/conservation-experts-wary-of-legalizing-trotlines-and-juglines/
The rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2, or RHDV2, is highly contagious and almost always fatal. Although humans cannot contract the virus, it can still be spread through human-to-rabbit contact.
The post Deadly infectious disease causes concern for rabbit owners first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/03/11/deadly-infectious-disease-causes-concern-for-rabbit-owners/
Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service
https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI126194691A74.WindAdvisory.1261946B2EE0WI.GRBNPWGRB.9d886931e1a9bb7b15e08883f501528a
Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service
https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI1261945C51CC.WindAdvisory.1261946B2EE0WI.GRBNPWGRB.9d886931e1a9bb7b15e08883f501528a
The Aamjiwnaang First Nation in Canada suffers from high exposure to toxic contaminants from nearby chemical plants in Sarnia, Ontario. Members are fighting for policy changes to overcome shortcomings in Canadian toxic chemical regulations that have failed to protect indigenous community members. Read the full story by the Anishinabek News.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210310-gaps
The presence of the nesting piping plover pair in Chicago, Illinois, is the culmination of an environmental success story that began 20 years ago when a plant called lakeshore rush took hold on Montrose Beach. The Chicago Park District stopped grooming that section of beach to protect the rush and something remarkable happened; other rare plants emerged from the sand and began to spread. Read the full story by The Chicago Sun Times.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210310-plover
A northern Michigan organization is hosting community trash pick-up events to raise awareness and inspire action to care for the Great Lakes. Read the full story by WBKB-TV – Thunder Bay, MI.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210310-cleanup
A northern Michigan organization is hosting community trash pick-up events to raise awareness and inspire action to care for the Great Lakes. Read the full story by WBKB-TV – Thunder Bay, MI.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210310-cleanup
A recent letter to President Joe Biden from environmental and tribal groups argues the Line 3 pipeline was “inappropriately permitted” by the Trump Administration and is demanding that he shut down the pipeline by revoking Line 3’s presidential permit. Read the full story by Green Matters.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210310-line-3
Experts attribute the Detroit River’s increasingly clear waters to clean up and remediation efforts along the river that have improved water quality. Read the full story by CBC News.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210310-detroit-river
A new study by the Nature Conservancy of Canada has designated southwestern Ontario as one of nine regions of Canada whose biodiversity is most in need of protection. Decades of intensive farming and population growth have eroded the region’s natural areas and shrunk habitats for already at-risk wildlife. Read the full story by The Brantford Expositor.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210310-ecoregion
