Scott McComb, Wisconsin Sea Grant’s Southeast Wisconsin aquatic invasive species outreach specialist, recently completed training through the Wisconsin Lake Leaders Institute, culminating in an October 14 graduation event.

McComb was part of the fourteenth class of graduates to learn about Wisconsin’s unique lake resources through a program organized by the Wisconsin Lakes Partnership.

Wisconsin DNR Secretary Preston Cole (right) congratulates Scott McComb on his completion of the Wisconsin Lake Leaders Institute. (submitted photo)

He was recognized by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Secretary Preston Cole, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources Dean Brian Sloss and Wisconsin Lakes board members David Zelinger and Nick Homan.

Through a series of in-person seminars and online meetings, McComb gained a deeper understanding of lake ecology and how to work with state and local governments to ensure that lakes get the attention they need. The program combines readings, discussions, field experiences and more to develop lake management and leadership skills.

Commented McComb, who joined Wisconsin Sea Grant in 2021 and is based at the Kenosha County Extension Office, “Lake Leaders was a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of people and water from cultural, scientific and legal perspectives while also providing opportunities to reflect on my own connection to lakes in Wisconsin.” He holds a bachelor’s degree in geography and a master’s degree in bioregional planning.

“The individuals who participate in this program are true leaders who have stepped forward to protect our lakes for future generations,” said Sara Windjue, leadership and capacity development specialist for the UW-Stevens Point Extension Lakes Program. “They are committed to developing partnerships and facilitating the learning of others in order to build capacity that will ensure the protection and restoration of thousands of lakes across Wisconsin.”

McComb shows off his certificate of completion. (submitted photo)

“Lake Leaders was a wonderful opportunity to learn more about Wisconsin lakes and to connect with other lake-minded folks from around the state,” added McComb. He is committed to “honoring the waters of Wisconsin by learning its lessons, sharing its stories and listening to all” as he works prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species in Southeast Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin Lake Leaders Institute draws participants from across the state to take part in a series of three two-day seminars. Participants demonstrate their commitment to protecting the integrity of the lakes in Wisconsin with an investment of their time and a modest registration cost to cover meals and lodging.

The Wisconsin Lakes Partnership is made up of the Extension Lakes Program at UW-Stevens Point, the Wisconsin DNR and the citizen advocacy organization Wisconsin Lakes. Recognizing a need for new and ongoing leadership in the management of Wisconsin’s lakes, they created the Wisconsin Lake Leaders Institute in 1996. Its mission is to assist citizen lake leaders to develop both their technical and people skills, ultimately enriching their communities and the waters within them.

This year’s graduation ceremony took place at the Aldo Leopold Shack near Baraboo, a fitting setting for celebrating the 22 new Lake Leaders’ accomplishments and looking ahead to their conservation journeys.

McComb, kneeling in front, poses with fellow members of his cohort near the shack of famed naturalist and conservationist Aldo Leopold. (submitted photo)

Since its inception, over 300 participants have graduated from the institute and made significant contributions in addressing a diverse array of water management challenges. The program has attracted national attention as an effective strategy for enhancing lake stewardship and protection.

For more information about the program, contact McComb, reach out to the Extension Lakes program staff or visit the UW-Stevens Point Extension Lakes website.

The post Aquatic invasive species staff member recognized as Lake Leader first appeared on Wisconsin Sea Grant.

Original Article

News Releases | Wisconsin Sea Grant

News Releases | Wisconsin Sea Grant

https://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/news/aquatic-invasive-species-staff-member-recognized-as-lake-leader/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=aquatic-invasive-species-staff-member-recognized-as-lake-leader

Jennifer Smith

The Fox Locks are run by a volunteer board of directors comprised of community leaders and representatives from state agencies. There are two members each from Brown, Outagamie and Winnebago Counties and designees of the Secretaries of the Departments of Natural Resources, Transportation, and the Director of the State Historical Society.
We had the opportunity to chat with John Vette III, CEO and Chairman of the SNC Manufacturing Company in Oshkosh.  John has been running this family-owned business for decades and has a strong background in international business. He and his family have been active in a variety of regional non-profits where they are strong supporters of the Oshkosh region. We are fortunate to have his business acumen and regional relationships helping the Fox Locks.

Original Article

Blog – Fox Locks

Blog – Fox Locks

http://foxlocks.org/2022/11/03/meet-our-board-members-john-vette/

Fox Locks

Nibi Chronicles: The ‘Water is Life’ festival goes beyond the music.

Editor’s Note: “The Nibi Chronicles,” a monthly Great Lakes Now feature, is authored by Staci Lola Drouillard. A direct descendant of the Grand Portage Band of Ojibwe, she lives and works in Grand Marais on Minnesota’s North Shore of Lake Superior. Her two books “Walking the Old Road: A People’s History of Chippewa City and the Grand Marais Anishinaabe” and “Seven Aunts” were published 2019 and 2022, and she is at work on a children’s story.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/11/nibi-chronicles-water-is-life-festival-goes-beyond-music/

Staci Lola Drouillard

A new campaign is pushing for commercial fisheries to use whitefish for more than just filets. The fish could be used for makeup, wallets and supplements. 

The post Whitefish campaign seeks to lift fisheries while fish stocks drop first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/11/03/whitefish-campaign-seeks-to-lift-fisheries-while-fish-stocks-drop/

Guest Contributor

Job Opportunities

Great Lakes Commission Position Available: Program Specialist

Application deadline: April 6, 2023  |  Download PDF

Description

The Great Lakes Commission (GLC) has an immediate opening for a self-starting, highly motivated team player to join our staff. This position will work under the direction of GLC project managers, assisting with implementation of various aquatic invasive species (AIS) projects and provide support to regional collaboratives coordinated by the GLC. The GLC’s portfolio of invasive species projects target a variety of invasive species issues and rely heavily on regional coordination and collaboration to achieve desired outcomes.

Responsibilities

The program specialist will be responsible for a variety of activities in support of the GLC’s AIS program, including project planning and implementation; communication with multiple partners; outreach to diverse stakeholder audiences; preparation of presentations and written documents; meeting planning, coordination and facilitation; assisting with grant reporting; and related responsibilities.

Specific responsibilities include:

  • Provide staff support to invasive species initiatives including the Great Lakes Phragmites Collaborative, the Invasive Mussel Collaborative, the European Frog-bit Collaborative, the Great Lakes Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species, and Great Lakes AIS Landing Blitz
  • Assist with the coordination, planning, facilitation and documentation of collaborative meetings and workshops, including committee/work group meetings
  • Conduct literature reviews, policy analysis, and other research to support the development of fact sheets, reports, briefing papers and other written materials
  • Organize educational webinars for diverse audiences on priority invasive species topics
  • Develop content for and assist in maintenance of electronic communications, including biweekly
    e-newsletters, and websites
  • Provide clear written and verbal communications to diverse partners and stakeholder groups

Qualifications

A master’s degree in natural resources, environmental science or a related field; or a bachelor’s degree plus two or more years of experience is required, along with the following qualifications:

  • Working knowledge of natural resources management, ecology and/or aquatic sciences
  • Experience with Microsoft Office products
  • Ability to work independently and as part of internal and external teams
  • Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
  • Self-motivated and organized with strong attention to detail
  • Excellent communication and time management skills

The ideal candidate would also bring one or more of the following skills and experience to the position:

  • Knowledge of Great Lakes issues and programs, regional government, water quality, land use and/or resource management
  • Knowledge of aquatic invasive species prevention and management
  • Familiarity with social media, website content management (e.g., WordPress), and webinar platforms
  • Communications experience

Appointment

Position Classification
The position is classified as regular – full-time as defined by the GLC’s personnel policies.

Compensation and Benefits
The starting salary range for this position is $55,000 – $59,000 per year depending on education, skills, and experience. The GLC offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits, including generous leave time, flexible schedules, medical, dental and vision insurance, and a retirement match program.

Work Environment
The GLC is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It is expected that the majority of work will be performed in the GLC’s office; however, telework may be considered. This position requires occasional travel.

Application Process

Applicants must submit a cover letter and resume stating their interest in and qualifications for the position in a single email to vacancy@glc.org. All required items must be provided for an application to receive consideration. No phone calls, please.

About the Great Lakes Commission

The Great Lakes Commission is a binational government agency established in 1955 to protect the Great Lakes and the economies and ecosystems they support. Its membership includes leaders from the eight U.S. states and two Canadian provinces in the Great Lakes basin. The GLC recommends policies and practices to balance the use, development, and conservation of the water resources of the Great Lakes and brings the region together to work on issues that no single community, state, province, or nation can tackle alone. Learn more at www.glc.org.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Great Lakes Commission strives to create an inclusive, diverse and non-discriminatory workplace. The Great Lakes Commission is an equal opportunity employer; the Great Lakes Commission complies with applicable federal, state and local laws prohibiting discrimination. It is Great Lakes Commission policy that no person shall be discriminated against, as an employee or applicant for employment, because of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, marital status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Contact

For media inquiries, please contact Beth Wanamaker, beth@glc.org.

Recent GLC News

Upcoming GLC Events

View GLC Calendar

Archives

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/news/position-available-program-specialist-2023

Laura Andrews

A muskellunge, commonly known as a “muskie,” was recently caught in Toronto Harbor off the coast of Toronto, Ontario. Conservation authorities say it’s the first fish of its kind found in the Toronto waters in more than 30 years. Read the full story by CBC News.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20221102-muskie-toldeo-bigcatch

Hannah Reynolds

A proposed $30 million investment in wetlands conservation would reduce algal blooms in Lake Erie, specifically in Monroe County, Michigan, and other areas in the Great Lakes region, if the money is approved through COVID relief funding. Read the full story by The Monroe News.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20221102-pointemouillee-wetlands-lakeeriealgae

Hannah Reynolds

It’s been one year since the H2Ohio Water Quality Program was rolled out from the Ohio legislature and into the farm fields of Northwest Ohio, and the response has been “overwhelming.” The state-wide program addresses several water quality issues in the state including the high nutrient levels of Ohio’s waterways. Read the full story by BG Independent News.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20221102-h2ohio-highdemand

Hannah Reynolds

In Rockford, Michigan, Wolverine Worldwide has earned a legal citation from Michigan environmental regulators for delaying the launch of a long-awaited system to remove contaminated groundwater entering the Rogue River where the company’s century-old shoe leather tannery once stood. Read the full story by MLive.  

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20221102-wolverineworldwide-cited-pfascleanup

Hannah Reynolds

The public will keep the right to use Indiana’s Lake Michigan shoreline for recreation as the U.S. Supreme Court won’t consider arguments from nearby property owners who claimed they also owned the beach. Read the full story by The Associated Press.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20221102-ussupremecourt-lakemi-shorelinedispute

Hannah Reynolds

A new multi-agency partnership could provide new jobs training and career opportunities, all related to research on the Great Lakes. Five education and nonprofit partners are working together in hopes of developing a “Freshwater Research and Innovation Center” along Grand Traverse Bay in Michigan. Read the full story by WWTV – Cadillac, MI.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20221102-waterresearchcenter-grandtraversebay

Hannah Reynolds

Based on the success of a pilot program on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus last summer, 31 undergraduate Freshwater@UW Summer Research Scholars opportunities are now open for application.

“The experience over summer definitely cemented my interest in research,” said Manasi Simhan, who was in the 2022 nine-person cohort and participated in a Wisconsin River sediment analysis led by Eric Roden of the UW-Madison Department of Geoscience. “If I had a chance to do it again, I would definitely do it again.”

Like Simhan, summer 2023 undergraduates will be matched with water-related faculty mentors and graduate students to align interests and grow skills applicable to post-graduate studies and future careers. There will be professional development and cross-campus programing, concluding with the chance for students to present results of their individual projects in a group setting.

In-state undergraduate applicants are encouraged to select opportunities that are not on their home campus in an effort to increase collaboration among the eight University of Wisconsin System campuses participating in 2023. Those campuses are Eau Claire, Green Bay, La Crosse, Madison, Manitowoc-Green Bay, Milwaukee, Oshkosh and Superior. Find details and apply at this link: https://water.wisc.edu/wateruw-madison-undergraduate-research-experience The deadline is Feb. 15, 2023.

An additional goal of the program is to create a diverse academic environment by increasing the number of traditionally underserved students in Wisconsin graduate programs, and ultimately, a well-prepared freshwater workforce.

Standing man wearing sunglasses talking with seating listeners and a lake in the background.

Sea Grant Director Jim Hurley enthusiastically describes the summer of research and collaborative learning to come at the kick-off of the summer 2022 scholars’ experience. Photo: Bonnie Willison.

Wisconsin Sea Grant Director Jim Hurley said, ““We’ve had great success with the pilot program last year and we’re anxious to greatly expand opportunities statewide so students can work alongside more of the UW System’s outstanding water researchers.”

The program will run from May 31 through Aug. 5, 2023. In terms of remuneration, there is a $6,000 stipend, $600 meal allowance and provision of housing.

The 2023 freshwater science experiences are funded by Sea Grant and its sister organization, the University of Wisconsin Water Resources Institute, along with resources from the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin.

The Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin is a partnership of Wisconsin’s 13 public universities, connecting with industry partners, local communities, policymakers and advocacy groups. Its mission is to establish Wisconsin as a world leader in freshwater science, technology, entrepreneurship and economic growth. The Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin is training the next generation of scientists to solve global water resource problems through academic program, collaborative research and career development across the UW System.

The post Freshwater@UW Summer Research Scholars Program opportunities now open first appeared on Wisconsin Sea Grant.

Original Article

News Releases | Wisconsin Sea Grant

News Releases | Wisconsin Sea Grant

https://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/news/freshwateruw-summer-research-scholars-program-opportunities-now-open/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=freshwateruw-summer-research-scholars-program-opportunities-now-open

Moira Harrington

large group of people sitting at tables outdoors with a lake in the background
Water Resources Director Jim Hurley addresses the first gathering of researchers and freshwater summer scholars in 2022.

Based on the success of a pilot program on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus last summer, 31 undergraduate Freshwater@UW Summer Research Scholars opportunities are open for application today.

“The experience over summer definitely cemented my interest in research,” said Manasi Simhan, who was in the 2022 nine-person cohort and participated in a Wisconsin River sediment analysis led by Eric Roden of the UW-Madison Department of Geoscience. “If I had a chance to do it again, I would definitely do it again.”

Like Simhan, summer 2023 undergraduates will be matched with water-related faculty mentors and graduate students to align interests and grow skills applicable to post-graduate studies and future careers. There will be professional development and cross-campus programing, concluding with the chance for students to present results of their individual projects in a group setting.

In-state undergraduate applicants are encouraged to select opportunities that are not on their home campus in an effort to increase collaboration among the eight University of Wisconsin System campuses participating in 2023. Those campuses are Eau Claire, Green Bay, La Crosse, Madison, Manitowoc, Milwaukee, Oshkosh and Superior. Find details and apply at this link: https://water.wisc.edu/wateruw-madison-undergraduate-research-experience The deadline is Feb. 15, 2023.

An additional goal of the program is to create a diverse academic environment by increasing the number of traditionally underserved students in Wisconsin graduate programs, and ultimately, a well-prepared freshwater workforce.

Jim Hurley, director of the University of Wisconsin Water Resources Institute (WRI), said, ““We’ve had great success with the pilot program last year and we’re anxious to greatly expand opportunities statewide so students can work alongside more of the UW System’s outstanding water researchers.”

The program will run from May 31 through Aug. 5, 2023. In terms of remuneration, there is a $6,000 stipend, $600 meal allowance and provision of housing.

The 2023 freshwater science experiences are funded by WRI and its sister organization the Wisconsin Sea Grant College Program, along with resources from the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin.

The Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin is a partnership of Wisconsin’s 13 public universities, connecting with industry partners, local communities, policymakers and advocacy groups. Its mission is to establish Wisconsin as a world leader in freshwater science, technology, entrepreneurship and economic growth. The Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin is training the next generation of scientists to solve global water resource problems through academic program, collaborative research and career development across the UW System.

The post Freshwater@UW Summer Research Scholars Program opportunities now open first appeared on WRI.

Original Article

News Release | WRI

News Release | WRI

https://www.wri.wisc.edu/news/freshwateruw-summer-research-scholars-program-opportunities-now-open/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=freshwateruw-summer-research-scholars-program-opportunities-now-open

Moira Harrington

Great Lakes Moving Bridges: How they work and why we love them

They stop dozens of vehicles creating traffic jams so that a single boat can dawdle through and sometimes they make us late. They’re usually very old and expensive to maintain and operate and holy smokes, they move slow as cold molasses.

But seriously, aren’t they great?

“It can definitely be an inconvenience, but in all reality it’s only a few minutes every hour,” Port Clinton Mayor Mike Snider said.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/11/great-lakes-moving-bridges/

James Proffitt

New technology provides hope for the Great Lakes’ polluted waters

This article was republished here with permission from Great Lakes Echo.

By Abigail Comar, Great Lakes Echo

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Environmental Protection Agency have demonstrated a new technology designed to reduce harmful algal blooms in lakes, including Lake Erie, which have been plagued by eutrophication.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/11/new-technology-hope-great-lakes-polluted-waters/

Great Lakes Echo

Drew Youngedyke

Drew Youngedyke; a native Michigander with a deep love for the lakes and a volunteer with the Northern Michigan Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation. In his day job, Drew is Director of Conservation Partnerships for the National Wildlife Federation Great Lakes Regional Center. 


Resources

Surfrider Foundation of Northern Michigan

Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project

Lakes Chat Podcast

Subscribe to the Lakes Chat Podcast

Every Tuesday, the Alliance for the Great Lakes will chat with special guests about Great Lakes issues and dig into what it all means for you and your community. Subscribe to our Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Deezer (more platforms coming soon).

Hear More Episodes

The post Great Lakes Surfing & the Mission of the Surfrider Foundation 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/2022/11/great-lakes-surfing-the-mission-of-the-surfrider-foundation/

Michelle Farley

PFAS News Roundup: Ongoing Upper Peninsula industrial fire raises “forever chemical” concerns, PFAS medical monitoring programs to begin in New York

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/2022/11/pfas-news-roundup-upper-peninsula-industrial-fire-forever-chemical-concerns-medical-monitoring-programs-new-york/

Kathy Johnson

Sea Grant has had both a focus on and staff dedicated to the understanding and stewardship of the Green Bay watershed for nearly 50 years, dating back to when the Sea Grant Green Bay Subprogram was established on the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay campus in the late 1970s.

Close-up of smiling woman with long blonde hair.

Julia Noordyk, water quality and coastal communities outreach specialist.

Julia Noordyk now fulfills this longstanding Sea Grant responsibility for the bay of Green Bay, which she termed “a pretty special place.” The bay itself spans 1,600 miles. It’s at the heart of the world’s largest freshwater estuary, laced with agriculture and manufacturing. It’s also a storied place where Indigenous people have lived for 10,000 years and where the first European to have come to what is now known as Wisconsin stepped off a boat in Green Bay onto Red Banks, roughly a mile from the city of Green Bay.

In her role as water quality and coastal communities outreach specialist Noordyk weaves the legacy of this commerce, agriculture and human interaction into contemporary conversations and actions.

Noordyk said she educates people about, “green infrastructure, really working through codes and ordinances to reduce barriers to implement green infrastructure.”

Her second priority is community flood resilience, with a focus on the East River, one of the only undammed rivers in northeastern Wisconsin. It’s a tributary of the Fox River, which flows to the bay and is high in nutrient and sediments. Reducing runoff through nature-based infrastructure protects surface waters from contaminants and can reduce East River flooding.

This is what Noordyk sees as an evolution in water quality approaches for what she likes to call the “fresh-tuary.” “Historically, the (Sea Grant) office was set up and really focused on the Fox River, the bay of Green Bay and water quality. A lot of that was driven by industrial pollution like PCBs and also agricultural runoff,” she said. “That’s been most of the work for last 50 years, which is awesome. Now, the PCB cleanup is over, and things are improving.”

She continued, “Agriculture runoff is still one of the biggest issues in our area for water quality, but what has been changing over the past couple decades is how we think about restoration more broadly.”

Noordyk said there’s been a movement to address water challenges that communities care about and connect those issues to water quality. Front and center, she pointed to flooding. “How can we help solve problems that have benefits to both water quality and flood mitigation?”

Answering her own rhetorical question, Noordyk said, “We have to give people hope with science and with working to solve these environmental issues.” That is her goal for the next 50 years of Sea Grant’s work in her region.

As for the future of the human dimensions of her work, Noordyk said, “A small piece of my efforts is working towards a more inclusive workforce, making connections with our First Nation communities and the bay of Green Bay.”

Noordyk hosted a graduate assistantship that supported an Indigenous-identifying student in exploring the Great Lakes. She said, “That person is really focused on helping make connections between restoration and projects with UW-Green Bay and First Nations. It’s to bring the voice back to the land from a First-Nation perspective.”

 

The post Julia Noordyk and celebrating an anniversary in a “pretty special place” first appeared on Wisconsin Sea Grant.

Original Article

Blog | Wisconsin Sea Grant

Blog | Wisconsin Sea Grant

https://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/blog/julia-noordyk-and-celebrating-an-anniversary-in-a-pretty-special-place/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=julia-noordyk-and-celebrating-an-anniversary-in-a-pretty-special-place

Moira Harrington

News

Great Lakes Commission video highlights restoration of Maumee River site

Ann Arbor, Mich. – The Great Lakes Commission (GLC) today released a video highlighting its work to restore a former confined disposal site along the Maumee River in Ohio. The site, known as Penn 7, was used in the 1970s for disposal of silt dredged from the Maumee’s shipping channel. A partnership led by the GLC and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) restored more than 15 acres of wetland, improved nearly 60 acres of habitat, and created a water-control structure to better connect the site with the Maumee River.

“The Penn 7 restoration has increased opportunities for birding and fishing, created a downtown green space, and improved water quality and ecosystem health in the Toledo area,” said Mary Mertz, vice chair of the GLC and director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. “We are thrilled that completion of this project moves the Maumee River one step closer to being delisted as a Great Lakes Area of Concern.”

The Maumee River is one of 43 Areas of Concern (AOCs) in the Great Lakes basin. The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act accelerated the progress of delisting AOCs with an unprecedented investment of $1 billion in the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

“The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is revitalizing Toledo and areas across the Great Lakes,” said Rep. Marcy Kaptur, co-chair of the U.S. House Great Lakes Task Force. “Not only has this Maumee River restoration protected our cherished natural resources, but it is also protecting water quality in Toledo and will increase tourism, birding and fishing opportunities in the region.”

The Penn 7 restoration is one of 74 habitat restoration projects led by the GLC and NOAA in the Great Lakes basin since 2008. A ribbon-cutting celebration for the site was held earlier this summer. The video, produced by Great Lakes Outreach Media, reviews prior conditions of the site and restoration methods that were implemented.

For more information, visit https://www.glc.org/work/aocs/maumee.


The Great Lakes Commission, led by chair Todd L. Ambs, deputy secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (retired), is a binational government agency established in 1955 to protect the Great Lakes and the economies and ecosystems they support. Its membership includes leaders from the eight U.S. states and two Canadian provinces in the Great Lakes basin. The GLC recommends policies and practices to balance the use, development, and conservation of the water resources of the Great Lakes and brings the region together to work on issues that no single community, state, province, or nation can tackle alone. Learn more at www.glc.org.

CONTACT

For media inquiries, please contact Hannah Reynolds, hreynolds@glc.org.

Recent GLC News

Upcoming GLC Events

View GLC Calendar

ARCHIVES

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/news/penn7-110122

Beth Wanamaker

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee have discovered that plastic pollution makes yellow perch less nutritious. While this study was of juvenile yellow perch, other studies suggest that the nutritional value of other species could also be harmed by plastic. Read the full story by Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20221031-plastic

Patrick Canniff

The Port of Monroe, Michigan has been awarded $11,051,586 through the Port Infrastructure Development Program, which will go toward the port’s Lake Erie Renewable Energy Resilience Project, funding four components: riverfront work, turning basin work, maritime readiness slip construction and shore power infrastructure. Read the full story by The Monroe News.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20221031-port-monroe

Patrick Canniff

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers is backing an effort that would add Green Bay’s estuary to a national network of estuaries focused on conservation. This week, Governor Evers announced that there will be a formal request of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to add Green Bay to the National Estuarine Research Reserve, or NERR, System, a network of nearly 1.4 million protected acres. Read and listen to the full story by Wisconsin Public Radio.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20221031-green-bay

Patrick Canniff

Republican and Democratic state legislators, the Michigan United Conservation Clubs, Ducks Unlimited, and Audubon-Great Lakes all gathered this past week to discuss the use of $30 million in American Rescue Plan Act money for wetlands in areas that drain into Lake Erie and the Saginaw Bay of Lake Huron. Read and listen to the full story by Michigan Radio.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20221031-wetlands

Patrick Canniff

The nonprofit WATERshed Program of Southeast Wisconsin recently received grants to support its award-winning, hands-on environmental education program for Racine students during the 2022-2023 school year. The grants will be used to help educate students about the value of living in a coastal community with freshwater resources, and to demonstrate how human activities impact local watersheds. Read the full story by The Journal Times.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20221031-wisconsin-water

Patrick Canniff

Saturday, the Niagara Coastal organization in Fort Erie, Ontario was joined by representatives from Niagara College, Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority, Town of Fort Erie and others for a coastal day of action, planting and transplanting native beach grass along the shore at Bay Beach. Read the full story by the St. Catharines Standard.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20221031-niagara

Patrick Canniff

Now is the time for a new CWA, call it the Clean Water Alliance, a pervasive grassroots initiative in support of responsible lakefront living, wise use of lake resource and protection of inland lakes which face the threat of severe decline. A Clean Water Alliance would become a potent grassroots force to influence lake-protective laws and regulations where necessary. Read the full story by Wisconsin Examiner.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20221031-inland-lakes

Patrick Canniff

The idea of utilizing wind energy above the waters of Lake Erie is again a focus of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority in their second feasibility study. The first report by NYSERDA lists many concerns about placing wind turbines and their infrastructure in one of the world’s largest freshwater ecosystems and drinking water sources. Read the full story by Buffalo News.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20221031-wind

Patrick Canniff

Two fishermen accused of conspiring to cheat in a lucrative Lake Erie walleye tournament pleaded not guilty before a grand jury this past week in Cleveland, Ohio to felony charges of cheating, attempted grand theft, possession of criminal tools and alleged misdemeanors. Read the full story by Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20221031-fishing

Patrick Canniff

The Medina County (Ohio) Park District is creating the Little Killbuck Creek Wetlands project on a 173-acre site it acquired through a $900,000 H2Ohio grant. At least 55 acres of wetland will be restored at the Little Killbuck Creek Wetlands site. Read the full story by Akron Beacon Journal.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20221031-h2ohio

Patrick Canniff

Know Your State Foods

Do you know if your state has an official food or drink? If you live in the Great Lakes region, chances are your state boasts multiple official foods, drinks and even crops. Some of them – not all – a part of the region’s water-related culture, history and traditions.

Each state chooses their respective official delicacy for a variety of reasons.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/10/know-your-state-foods/

Capri S. Cafaro

A new report on the state of birds in the U.S. and Canada offers the first comprehensive status update since an alarm-bell-ringing 2019 study announced the loss of 3 billion birds. Read and hear the full story by WTTW-TV – Chicago, IL.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20221027-bird-populations

Jill Estrada

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced Oct. 17 the results from enforcement investigations of water quality violations and aquifer breaches related to Enbridge Energy’s Line 3 pipeline construction project in northern Minnesota. Read and hear the full story by the Aitkin Age.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20221027-enbridge

Jill Estrada

The funds will boost coastal, inland river, and Great Lakes ports including the port of Detroit. The awards seek to improve supply chain reliability, electrify equipment, improve or create new rail and highway connections, boost offshore wind projects and cut greenhouse gas emissions. Read the full story by the Windsor Star.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20221027-port-improvements

Jill Estrada

A new dredging facility will be built to keep the waters of Conneaut Harbor clean and accessible for ships. A seven-year-long project, known as the Conneaut Creek Dredge Reclamation Facility, is now a reality for the City of Conneaut, Ohio. Read the full story by WJET-TV – Erie, Pennsylvania.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20221027-conneaut-harbor

Jill Estrada

Michigan businesses interested in reducing their carbon footprint are looking to build with large wooden panels instead of steel or concrete.  

The post An ancient building material could be the wave of the future. first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/10/28/an-ancient-building-material-could-be-the-wave-of-the-future/

Guest Contributor

Public input requested 

An annual waterfowl harvest survey is open to duck hunter feedback now through Dec. 31 for the Green Bay and Lake Michigan regions of Wisconsin. 

Original Article

Wisconsin

Wisconsin

http://www.usgs.gov/news/state-news-release/media-alert-calling-all-wisconsin-duck-hunters-usgs-survey-available-green?utm_source=comms&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=news

hkoontz@usgs.gov

Energy News Roundup: Michigan launching study of nuclear power options, clean energy jobs rebounding in Wisconsin

Keep up with energy-related developments in the Great Lakes area with Great Lakes Now’s biweekly headline roundup.

Click on the headline to read the full story:

 

Illinois

  • Transit advocates criticize new regional transportation plan featuring expressway expansion — Chicago Sun Times

Chicago transit advocates raise concerns over a state transportation plan that calls for more expressway lanes instead of prioritizing public transit.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/10/energy-news-roundup-michigan-study-of-nuclear-power-clean-energy-jobs-wisconsin/

Kathy Johnson

Fishermen plead not guilty to charges in tournament scandal

CLEVELAND (AP) — Two men accused of stuffing five walleye with lead weights and fish fillets during a lucrative fishing tournament on Lake Erie pleaded not guilty to cheating and other charges on Wednesday.

Jacob Runyan, 42, of Broadview Heights, Ohio, and Chase Cominsky, 35, of Hermitage, Pennsylvania, made no comments during their brief court appearances in Cleveland.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/10/ap-fishermen-plead-not-guilty-to-charges-in-tournament-scandal/

The Associated Press