With the ice finally gone on most Minnesota lakes, the spring fish harvest is in full swing. Tribal members say the annual ritual of gathering fish through spearing or netting provides a vital food source for the community and preserves a cultural tradition. Read the full story by Minnesota Public Radio.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20220513-fish-harvest
As Michigan parks are primed for another year of pandemic-induced high visitation, upcoming investments couldn’t be coming at a better time. Read the full story by Great Lakes Now.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20220513-state-parks
During this year’s ice season, the U.S.-flag Great Lakes shipping industry lost the equivalent of a month due to delays in ice covered waters. Read the full story by Lake Superior News.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20220513-icebreakers
NCEI News Feed
http://www.ncei.noaa.gov/news/global-climate-202204
Lynn Broaddus has little patience for cities who focus on the reasons why they can’t replace lead service lines.
She understands that finances are a big part of the problem but says too often cities focus on the barriers, instead of what’s possible.
Broaddus is the recent past-president and now a trustee with the international group Water Environment Federation, a non-profit focused on increasing the awareness of the impact and value of water.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/05/water-executive-creative-replacing-lead-service-lines/
For the first time, Asian jumping worms were found in Ontario in March. The discovery of the invasive worms follows sightings in all Great Lakes states except for Michigan, Pennsylvania and New York. Removal of invasive species once they are established is extremely difficult, making prevention essential.
The post Ontario jumping worm invasion threatens to leap borders first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/05/13/ontario-jumping-worm-invasion-threatens-to-leap-borders/
Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service
https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI1263F47EC40C.AirQualityAlert.1263F47F3680WI.GRBAQAGRB.ca49107f135125588196cd5746d4e86d
Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service
https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI1263F472EA74.SevereThunderstormWatch.1263F47EE860WI.GRBWCNGRB.ba705083ca47f3d3b0e03a162ffcfe7c
Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service
https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI1263F472C238.SevereThunderstormWatch.1263F47EE860WI.GRBWCNGRB.3cb0c4e978f35cd53530850a30bedb32
Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service
https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI1263F47265A4.SevereThunderstormWatch.1263F47EE860WI.WNSWOU7.5abddfdf686827ff79fdf5d4ba2d8941
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:
Electricity costs will soar beginning in June in central and southern Illinois, due to inadequate power supplies following coal-fired plant closures.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/05/energy-news-roundup-numerous-great-lakes-outages-rising-rates/
Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service
https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI1263F472459C.AirQualityAlert.1263F47FB768WI.GRBAQAGRB.ca49107f135125588196cd5746d4e86d
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/2022/05/pfas-news-roundup-farmland-polluted-pfas-childrens-clothes/
By Briana Rice, 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/2022/05/detroit-river-world-heritage-site/
By Kelly House, Bridge Michigan
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/2022/05/michigan-state-parks-covid/
Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service
https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI1263F471DF44.SpecialWeatherStatement.1263F4728C50WI.GRBSPSGRB.5b80d3ef83982edbe00df1c0579118db
Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service
https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI1263F471DF44.SpecialWeatherStatement.1263F4728C50WI.GRBSPSGRB.e6a3b7eb7f2561bd2ca6f89ac2b0a538
A recently launched bridge bundling program by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is expected to repair up to 78 locally owned bridges that are in serious or critical condition. The repaired bridges could last up to 50 years before needing to be fixed again and could potentially last even longer with maintenance project.
The post Repairs planned to 78 Michigan bridges rated in poor condition first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/05/12/repairs-planned-to-78-michigan-bridges-rated-in-poor-condition/
Aiming to better coordinate efforts to restore the Great Lakes, promote related educational opportunities, and boost the region’s economic prospects, an Ohio legislator crafted a bill to create a federal Great Lakes Authority.
Since Rep. March Kaptur, D-Toledo, and several other Democrats introduced the bill in Congress this spring, not much has happened.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/05/the-catch-great-lakes-authority/
Indigenous water protectors from Great Lakes tribes and their supporters are calling on a federal agency to fully review and reject a Line 5 project in northern Wisconsin, which they say would be “an act of cultural genocide” if permitted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Read the full story by the Michigan Advance.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20220511-indigenouswomen-line5reroute
The S.S. Badger is set to make its first voyage of the season on Thursday. The 410-foot Great Lakes car ferry will sail 60 miles from Ludington to Manitowoc, Wisconsin sporting a fresh coat of paint. Read the full story by the Manistee News Advocate.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20220511-ssbadger-michigan
Michigan is set to receive more than $1 billion over the next five years to repair water infrastructure. The federal funds are an opportunity to reinvest in essential public works. Read the full story by Great Lakes Now.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20220511-michigan-infrastructurewindfall
The University of Toledo christened its newest research vessel Tuesday at the Lake Erie Center. The 21-foot R/V Spangler, named after the late charter boat captain and water quality advocate Dave Spangler, will replace the Mayflier. Read the full story by WNWO-TV – Toledo, OH.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20220511-lakeerie-newvessel
A University of Michigan research team says it could not find a clear link between increasing seismic activity and recent high water levels in Lake Erie. Read the full story by MLive.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20220511-lakeerie-earthquakestudy
The first cruise ship since 2013 to arrive in Duluth’s harbor will arrive May 30 and dock at the new customs facility in the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center. Read the full story by Duluth News Tribune.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20220511-duluthport-cruiseship
The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee hopes to get more students interested in Great Lakes research by taking them out on research vessel Neeskay. Read the full story by Spectrum News 1.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20220511-greatlakesresearch-neeskay
It’s the oldest mystery on the Great Lakes: Whatever happened to the Griffon? It was the first big ship to sail the Great Lakes. Loaded with furs in what’s now Wisconsin, the Griffon was said to have sunk somewhere in northern Lake Michigan in 1679. A couple in Charlevoix, Michigan, think they’ve found it. Read the full story by the Detroit Free Press.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20220511-griffon-glshipwreck
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore’s first Great Lakes piping plover nests of 2022 have been spotted, kicking off what’s hoped to be another great summer for the endangered bird. Read the full story by MLive.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20220511-pipingplover-firstnest
If you are looking for an escape from the unseasonably warm weather, taking a dip in the Great Lakes isn’t a good option yet, according to surface water temperature data. Read the full story by Midland Daily News.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20220511-heatwave-unsafewatertemps
Contact: Lindsey Bacigal, BacigalL@nwf.org, (734) 887-7113
Jordan Lubetkin, Lubetkin@nwf.org, (734) 904-1589
U.S. Reps Urge Funding Boost to $400M for Great Lakes Restoration
Coalition supports efforts by 47 U.S. House Republicans and Democrats to boost federal investments in restoration, protection efforts.
ANN ARBOR, MICH. (May 11, 2022)—The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition is supporting a push by 47 bipartisan members of the U.S. House of Representatives to boost federal investments in the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) to $400 million in the fiscal year 2023 budget. The program funds efforts to clean up toxic pollution, restore fish and wildlife habitat, manage invasive species, and reduce farm and city runoff pollution.
“Support for the Great Lakes and GLRI has long seen strong bipartisan support in Congress,” reads the letter from House members. “Halting or reducing this commitment would reverse years of progress, dramatically reducing the GLRI’s impact, and jeopardize the environmental and economic health of the region for generations to come.”
“Federal investments to restore the Great Lakes are producing results, but serious threats remain,” said Laura Rubin, director of the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition. “We thank members of the House of Representatives who continue to make Great Lakes restoration and protection a national priority. The Coalition looks forward to working with bipartisan members of Congress to support urgent actions to restore the Great Lakes, provide clean drinking water to millions of people, and help communities most impacted by pollution and environmental harm. Scaling back federal investments will only allow the problems to get worse and more expensive to solve.”
Signatories to the House letter include: Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), Jack Bergman (R-Mich.), Shontel Brown (D-Ohio), Sean Casten (D-Ill), Angie Craig (D-Minn.), Danny Davis (D-Ill.), Antonio Delgado (D-N.Y.), Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), Michael Doyle (D-Pa.), Bill Foster (D-Ill.), Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.), Jesús García (D-Ill.), Bob Gibbs (R-Ohio), Anthony Gonzalez (R-Ohio), Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), Brian Higgins (D-N.Y.), Bill Huizenga (R-Mich.), Chris Jacobs (R-N.Y.), Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), John Katko (R-N.Y.) Mike Kelly (R-Pa.), Robin Kelly (D-Ill.), Dan Kildee (D-Mich.), Ron Kind (R-Wis.), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), Darin LaHood (R-Ill.), Andy Levin (D-Mich.), Gwen Moore (D-Wis.), Joseph Morelle (D-N.Y.), Frank Mrvan (D-Ind.), Marie Newman (D-Ill.), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Bobby Rush (D-Ill.), Tim Ryan (D-Ohio), Janice Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Bradley Schneider (D-Ill.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Pete Stauber (R-Minn.), Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), Brian Steil (R-Wis.), Haley Stevens (D-Mich.), Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), Michael Turner (R-Ohio), Tim Walberg (R-Mich.), and Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.).
Since 2004, the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition has been harnessing the collective power of more than 170 groups representing millions of people, whose common goal is to restore and protect the Great Lakes. Learn more at HealthyLakes.org or follow us on Twitter @HealthyLakes.
The post U.S. Reps Urge Funding Boost to $400M for Great Lakes Restoration appeared first on Healing Our Waters Coalition.
Healing Our Waters Coalition
https://healthylakes.org/u-s-reps-urge-funding-boost-to-400m-for-great-lakes-restoration/
By Brett Walton, Circle of Blue
This story is part of “Water’s True Cost,” a series by the Great Lakes News Collaborative focused on the rising cost of water in Michigan and the various causes leading to the state of water systems today. Find the rest of the stories in the series here.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/05/michigans-infrastructure-windfall/
By Kelly House, Bridge Michigan
This story is part of “Water’s True Cost,” a series by the Great Lakes News Collaborative focused on the rising cost of water in Michigan and the various causes leading to the state of water systems today. Find the rest of the stories in the series here.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/05/michigan-water-systems-overbuilt-underfunded/
Academic research increasingly documents how interaction with green space has a positive impact on mental health. But not everybody has access to quality green space.
The post Commentary: A green outlook on mental health is a privilege not all can access first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/05/11/commentary-a-green-outlook-on-mental-health-is-a-privilege-not-all-can-access/
Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service
https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI1263F4601A70.TornadoWatch.1263F46063E0WI.GRBWCNGRB.1dae04a3d9fd9ba4ea3c5708f36b386d
Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service
https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI1263F4546C98.SpecialWeatherStatement.1263F4602754WI.GRBSPSGRB.f0c86258ac7920942c65ca09d35217ad
Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service
https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI1263F453BFF0.TornadoWatch.1263F46063E0WI.WNSWOU7.64fb777664af56ab9d2b26b9014edc60
By Enrique Saenz, Indiana Environmental Reporter
Federal funding mechanisms for improving Indiana’s water infrastructure work but need more flexibility to help eliminate lead service lines, PFAS and other issues, according to testimony from one of the state’s top finance officials.
Jim McGoff, Indiana Finance Authority chief operating officer and director of environmental programs, testified March 29 before the U.S.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/05/indiana-finance-authority-house-drinking-water-hearing/
FLINT, Mich. (AP) — A judge granted a seven-week extension Monday to file claims for a share of $626 million settlement over Flint’s lead-contaminated water.
U.S. District Judge Judith Levy approved a request to stretch the May 12 deadline to June 30.
“Although it is clear that all involved are working diligently to compile the information and documentation necessary to support claims, some claimants have experienced delays or difficulties in obtaining certain required documents,” Levy said, quoting a summary by special master Deborah Greenspan.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/05/flint-residents-extension-file-claims/
Every year thousands of anglers participate in fishing tournaments across the Great Lakes, with prizes ranging from a couple hundred bucks to tens of thousands of dollars. Some, like the Lake Erie Fall Brawl, offer new fishing boats valued at more than $100,000 as top prizes. Some events are targeted toward professional anglers, while others pair a professional angler and an amateur angler.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/05/fishing-tournament-trends-kayaks-catch-photo-release/
By Brett Walton, Circle of Blue
This story is part of “Water’s True Cost,” a series by the Great Lakes News Collaborative focused on the rising cost of water in Michigan and the various causes leading to the state of water systems today. Find the rest of the stories in the series here.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/05/high-cost-water-hits-home-michigan/
In our newest TikTok, Echo reporter Rayna Skiver interviews Natalie Cypher, naturalist and educator for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Adventure Center.
The post Backyard habitats: TikTok edition first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/05/10/backyard-habitats-tiktok-edition/
Wheeze. Sniffle. Sneeze.
If you already suffer from seasonal allergies, get ready for more severe symptoms as the Great Lakes region experiences climate change in the coming decades.
Atmospheric scientist Allison Steiner of the University of Michigan and some colleagues recently published a new study about the impacts of climate change on pollen season in the Midwest and beyond.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/05/the-catch-climate-change-allergies/
Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service
https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI1263F4447E14.WindAdvisory.1263F4516FC0WI.GRBNPWGRB.6f2fc134618207a7c8d5ee932e8c51ab
Green Bay, WI
https://www.weather.gov/nwschat.weather.gov/p.php?pid=202205091826-KGRB-NOUS43-PNSGRB
Canada’s Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson is doubling down on the claim that the continuing operation of the Line 5 pipeline is “non-negotiable” despite continued opposition across Michigan and Wisconsin. Read the full story by The Canadian Press.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20220509-line-5
Many of Michigan’s 1,773 cities, villages and townships are reaching a crisis point because of a decline in federal dollars for water and sewer infrastructure that’s made worse by the state’s centralized taxing system. Read the full story by Bridge Michigan.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20220509-water-infrastructure
The loss of 800 megawatts of carbon-free energy from the nuclear plant along the Lake Michigan shoreline near South Haven, MI (122 miles NE of Chicago) at the end of May is likely to result in more greenhouse gas emissions elsewhere as the electric sector pivots to natural gas while more solar and wind generation comes online. Read the full story by MLive.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20220509-energy
Some officials are becoming concerned about the future of walleye fishing in Michigan after a local fisherman caught a sick fish along with several others in Ohio waters. Read the full story by WNEM-TV – Saginaw, MI.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20220509-walleye
Algoma Central Corp. is the newest naming sponsor for one of the two ice-pads inside Walker Sports and Abilities Centre at Canada Games Park. The company headquartered in St. Catharines operates the largest fleet of dry and liquid bulk carriers operating on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway. Read the full story by the St. Catharines Standard.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20220509-shipping-carriers
In decades past, almost every major Great Lakes port city offered a specialty grocery supplying freighters. Recently, a Cleveland, Ohio-based fleet grocer ceased operation, leaving only three U.S.-based Great Lakes fleet grocers in operation. Those are located in Duluth, Minnesota, Sault Ste. Marie, and at Alpena’s Marine Market. Read the full story by The Alpena News.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20220509-grocer-history
