On:
In: Uncategorized
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR BROWN...KEWAUNEE...SOUTHERN DOOR...NORTHERN CALUMET...SOUTHEASTERN OUTAGAMIE AND NORTHERN MANITOWOC COUNTIES UNTIL 545 PM CDT... At 505 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a broken line of strong thunderstorms along a line extending from 11 miles west of Sturgeon Bay to near Bellevue Town to Appleton. Movement was east at 30 mph.

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=WI1261A5D35E14.SpecialWeatherStatement.1261A5D36DB4WI.GRBSPSGRB.f35732759eae7a24f50cc27284acfe80

w-nws.webmaster@noaa.gov

On:
In: Uncategorized
...AIR QUALITY ADVISORY ISSUED FOR PARTS OF EAST CENTRAL WISCONSIN... The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has issued an Air Quality Advisory for Ozone which will remain in effect until 11:00 PM CDT. This advisory affects people living in Manitowoc, Calumet, Kewaunee, Brown, and Door Counties.

Original Article

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

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

https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI1261A5D2F3D4.AirQualityAlert.1261A5DFDF40WI.GRBAQAGRB.ca49107f135125588196cd5746d4e86d

w-nws.webmaster@noaa.gov

On:
In: Algae Blooms, AP, Climate change, Feature Homepage, fish, Fish, Birds and Animals, harmful algal blooms, Latest News, News, Research, Research, Data and Technology, science, Water quality, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts
Hundreds of lakes in U.S., Europe are losing oxygen

By Drew Costley, AP Science Writer

Oxygen levels have dropped in hundreds of lakes in the United States and Europe over the last four decades, a new study found.

And the authors said declining oxygen could lead to increased fish kills, algal blooms and methane emissions.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/06/ap-hundreds-lakes-united-states-europe-losing-oxygen/

The Associated Press

On:
In: Press Releases

Proposed White House budget and complementary American Jobs Plan boosts funding to restore Great Lakes, fix water infrastructure, and protect the health of millions in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

ANN ARBOR, MICH. (June 3, 2021) – The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition welcomes the newly proposed Biden Administration budget that, taken in tandem with the American Jobs Plan, presents a historic opportunity to secure sizeable federal investments to accelerate progress to restore the Great Lakes, protect the health of communities, and reverse environmental justices that have harmed vulnerable communities.

“The Biden Administration’s proposed budget and complementary investments in the American Jobs Plan can be a game-changer in the effort to restore and protect the Great Lakes, confront the climate crisis, and help communities that have disproportionately borne the brunt of pollution and environmental harm for far too long,” said Laura Rubin, director of the Healing Our Water-Great Lakes Coalition. “The table has been set for a once-in-a-generation investment to help ensure that every person in this country has access to safe and affordable drinking water, and we need the Biden Administration and U.S. Congress to seize the day.”

The Biden Administration’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2022, which begins Oct. 1, includes increased funding levels to advance water infrastructure improvement efforts for community water systems, schools, and households. (Specific funding levels below.) The administration is also proposing an additional $111 billion in the American Jobs Plan to boost water infrastructure spending to fix sewers and drinking water infrastructure, replace lead service lines, and address toxic PFAS pollution. Taken together, these investments provide a substantial increase in the federal government’s investment to provide clean water to communities.

“Millions of people in our country do not have access to clean, safe and affordable water for themselves, their families, and their children,” said Monica Lewis-Patrick, president and CEO of We the People of Detroit. “The Biden Administration’s proposed budget and supplemental funding in the American Jobs Plan is a recognition that the status quo is not acceptable and that the federal government can and should be doing more. That is welcome news. If the White House and Congress can deliver on this level of funding, it will be a huge help in addressing the water affordability crisis in which more and more Americans are having difficulty paying their water bills.”

Michigan State University researchers estimate that by 2022, more than 1-in-3 Americans will have a hard time paying their water bills. The water affordability crisis can be partly attributed to the decades-long disinvestment in water infrastructure by the federal government leading to an immense backlog of work. The Great Lakes states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin need more than $188 billion over 20 years to meet clean water objectives and to protect the health of local communities, according to the U.S. EPA. Further, between 6 million and 10 million homes nationwide continue to receive their drinking water through lead service lines, posing a serious risk to their health.

“Failing water infrastructure threatens our health, economy, and environment. Sewage overflows are contaminating local waterways and families are being exposed to lead in the drinking water that comes out of their taps,” said Brian Smith, Associate Executive Director at Citizens Campaign for the Environment (CCE). “We have solutions to these problems, and now is the time to use them. The Biden Administration’s proposed budget, along with the American Jobs Plan, provide a historic opportunity to upgrade our aging wastewater and drinking water infrastructure. We are counting on Congress to act and take advantage of this opportunity.”

Boosting federal clean water investments is a top priority for the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition.

“Federal investments to restore the Great Lakes have been producing results for communities, but serious threats remain,” said Chad Lord, policy director for the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition. “With so many cities and town living with unsafe drinking water, we need to be doing more—and we need to do it now, before the problems get worse and more expensive to solve. Our nation can do great things if our leaders come together. We encourage them to not shy away from this moment and to get the job done.”

The Biden Administration’s proposed budget:

  • Increases federal investments in the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative from $330 million to $340 million, an increase of $10 million;
  • Boosts federal investments in the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds, which help communities repair wastewater and drinking water infrastructure, by $232 million each (or, $464 million total);
  • Includes more than $930 million in funding across new and existing programs under a new environmental justice initiative, cementing environmental justice as a core feature of the EPA’s mission;
  • Increases grants from $40 million to $60 million to help communities reduce sewage overflows;
  • Boosts funding for programs to reduce lead in drinking water from $48 million to $118 million;
  • Fully funds work to do pre-engineering and design for the Brandon Road Lock and Dam to keep invasive carp out of the Great Lakes; and,
  • Increases budgets for federal agencies substantially. For example, the White House is recommending a $2 billion boost to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, enhancing capacity and ability to do science and research, community engagement, and enforcement.

Since 2004, the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition has been harnessing the collective power of more than 160 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

###

CONTACT:

Jordan Lubetkin, LubetkinJ@nwf.org, (734) 904-1589

Lindsey Bacigal, BacigalL@nwf.org, (734) 887-7113

The post Biden Budget Presents Historic Opportunity to Support Great Lakes appeared first on Healing Our Waters Coalition.

Original Article

Healing Our Waters Coalition

Healing Our Waters Coalition

https://healthylakes.org/biden-budget-presents-historic-opportunity-to-support-great-lakes/

Jordan Lubetkin

On:
In: Carlie LaLone, epa, Human Health and Environment Res, Sally Mayasich, UMD

With a master’s degree already under her belt, Sally Mayasich had worked as an environmental consultant for three companies: “One went bankrupt, the other downsized and in another, I was working part time and not making much money, so I decided I had to do something different,” Mayasich said.

Sally Mayasich. (Submitted photo)

At an age when most people are comfortably ensconced in their careers, Mayasich enrolled in the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) to earn her Ph.D. Her work paid off and now she is one of the latest fellows in a partnership between the Environmental Protection Agency’s Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division in Duluth, the University of Wisconsin-Madison and its Aquatic Sciences Center. The goal of the three-year U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Human Health and the Environment Research Fellows program is to train the next generation of scientists in environmental and ecosystem health.

Mayasich’s mentor is Carlie LaLone. They are working with others in the “fathead minnow group” to protect human health and the environment by evaluating the safety of chemicals. They are looking at the effects of chemicals across species, from humans to frogs, to fish, to insects. Using bioinformatics and computer molecular models, they can predict how sensitive a particular species might be to pesticides or other potentially harmful chemicals.

Mayasich explained, “If you have wetlands near a farm field and frogs live in the wetland, and the frogs are more sensitive to a particular pesticide, this knowledge helps regulators consider whether to restrict use of that pesticide in that area. Some people in our group are working on a new group of pesticides called neonicotinoids. They can affect bees. Making sure that we understand how these pesticides affect pollinators is important because pollination by bees is a huge part of our natural ecosystems and also the economics of farming. If you don’t have pollinators, you won’t have crops.”

Mayasich grew up on the Iron Range in Northern Minnesota. She credits time at her family’s cabin on Lake Vermilion for her love of science and nature. “We caught frogs and snakes and did all that kind of stuff when we were kids,” she said. Following in the footsteps of her older sister, Mayasich went to Bemidji State University and earned her bachelor’s degree in environmental studies. She continued her education at the University of Maryland, where she earned her master’s in marine and estuarine environmental science.

After her eventful time in the workforce, Mayasich was accepted into the Integrated Biosciences Program at UMD where she studied sea lamprey hormones, specifically, vasotocin – the lamprey equivalent of the human “love hormone,” oxytocin. She investigated whether the genes in lamprey that control the vasotocin system work in the same way as the oxytocin system in mammals.

“Even the parts that turn the vasotocin gene on and off are similar in lamprey to those in mammals. It’s pretty well-conserved over evolutionary time,” Mayasich said.

Mayasich said she would not change the path she took to obtain her degree. “I’m still very excited about having gone back to school and starting an entire new chapter in my life. Even though I’m not going to have another 30 or 40 years to my career, I’d like to think that what I’m doing in the moment is important. The work I’ve published wouldn’t have been done without me, and it’s being cited by other researchers. That wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t gone back to school. I’m very happy to be able to contribute to scientific progress.”

The post Nontraditional student is latest EPA fellow first appeared on Wisconsin Sea Grant.

Original Article

News Releases – Wisconsin Sea Grant

News Releases – Wisconsin Sea Grant

https://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/news/nontraditional-student-is-latest-epa-fellow/

Marie Zhuikov

On:
In: Carlie LaLone, epa, Human Health and Environment Res, Sally Mayasich, UMD

With a master’s degree already under her belt, Sally Mayasich had worked as an environmental consultant for three companies: “One went bankrupt, the other downsized and in another, I was working part time and not making much money, so I decided I had to do something different,” Mayasich said.

Sally Mayasich. (Submitted photo)

At an age when most people are comfortably ensconced in their careers, Mayasich enrolled in the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) to earn her Ph.D. Her work paid off and now she is one of the latest fellows in a partnership between the Environmental Protection Agency’s Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division in Duluth, the University of Wisconsin-Madison and its Aquatic Sciences Center. The goal of the three-year U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Human Health and the Environment Research Fellows program is to train the next generation of scientists in environmental and ecosystem health.

Mayasich’s mentor is Carlie LaLone. They are working with others in the “fathead minnow group” to protect human health and the environment by evaluating the safety of chemicals. They are looking at the effects of chemicals across species, from humans to frogs, to fish, to insects. Using bioinformatics and computer molecular models, they can predict how sensitive a particular species might be to pesticides or other potentially harmful chemicals.

Mayasich explained, “If you have wetlands near a farm field and frogs live in the wetland, and the frogs are more sensitive to a particular pesticide, this knowledge helps regulators consider whether to restrict use of that pesticide in that area. Some people in our group are working on a new group of pesticides called neonicotinoids. They can affect bees. Making sure that we understand how these pesticides affect pollinators is important because pollination by bees is a huge part of our natural ecosystems and also the economics of farming. If you don’t have pollinators, you won’t have crops.”

Mayasich grew up on the Iron Range in Northern Minnesota. She credits time at her family’s cabin on Lake Vermilion for her love of science and nature. “We caught frogs and snakes and did all that kind of stuff when we were kids,” she said. Following in the footsteps of her older sister, Mayasich went to Bemidji State University and earned her bachelor’s degree in environmental studies. She continued her education at the University of Maryland, where she earned her master’s in marine and estuarine environmental science.

After her eventful time in the workforce, Mayasich was accepted into the Integrated Biosciences Program at UMD where she studied sea lamprey hormones, specifically, vasotocin – the lamprey equivalent of the human “love hormone,” oxytocin. She investigated whether the genes in lamprey that control the vasotocin system work in the same way as the oxytocin system in mammals.

“Even the parts that turn the vasotocin gene on and off are similar in lamprey to those in mammals. It’s pretty well-conserved over evolutionary time,” Mayasich said.

Mayasich said she would not change the path she took to obtain her degree. “I’m still very excited about having gone back to school and starting an entire new chapter in my life. Even though I’m not going to have another 30 or 40 years to my career, I’d like to think that what I’m doing in the moment is important. The work I’ve published wouldn’t have been done without me, and it’s being cited by other researchers. That wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t gone back to school. I’m very happy to be able to contribute to scientific progress.”

The post Nontraditional student is latest EPA fellow first appeared on Wisconsin Sea Grant.

Original Article

News Releases – Wisconsin Sea Grant

News Releases – Wisconsin Sea Grant

https://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/news/nontraditional-student-is-latest-epa-fellow/

Marie Zhuikov

On:
In: AIS, AIS outreach, aquatic invasive species, Clean Boats, Kenosha, lake monitoring, Milwaukee, purple loosestrife, Racine, Scott McComb, Tim Campbell

Wisconsin Sea Grant has a new team member in the effort to protect our waters from aquatic invasive species. Scott McComb began May 3 as the southeast Wisconsin aquatic invasive species (AIS) outreach specialist.

Scott McComb has joined the staff of Wisconsin Sea Grant. (Submitted photo)

McComb’s position focuses on Kenosha, Racine and Milwaukee counties, where he will coordinate education, monitoring and outreach programs for communities, stakeholders and volunteers to prevent the spread of AIS. His office is located at the Kenosha County Center in Bristol, though he anticipates spending a significant amount of time in the field in the three counties.

The three main programs McComb will focus on are the “Clean Boats, Clean Waters” campaign, a purple loosestrife biocontrol program and a citizen lake monitoring program. When possible, he’ll also have a presence at local and regional events (like Racine’s Salmon-A-Rama in July) to help spread the word about AIS prevention and answer the public’s questions.

McComb is eager to engage with a wide range of people. “Honestly, I feel like everyone under the sun is my stakeholder!” he laughed. He will partner with lake or homeowners’ associations that monitor bodies of water, government entities like parks departments, volunteer groups, conservation corps and individuals with an interest in maintaining healthy ecosystems for future generations.

He’s also keen to work with people of different ages. “I’d really like to engage youth and the diversity of cultures and backgrounds in this region. There are so many great groups and people to connect to,” said McComb.

As the summer recreation season gets underway and people head out for boating, fishing and other outdoor pastimes, McComb stressed the basics of protecting our waters, such as the “Inspect—remove—drain—never move—dispose” motto. People should inspect their boats, kayaks or other watercraft for aquatic plants and animals; remove any that are found; drain water from live wells and other areas; never move water, plants or animals between waterbodies; and dispose of unused bait in the trash.

Additionally, he said, “Just be curious and keep your eyes open with what’s going on in the different lakes that you use. You don’t need to be an expert on aquatic vegetation to see a species start to take over, and there’s a whole bunch of people—including myself and DNR folks—who are here to help you identify something if you think it’s an invasive.”

McComb during a hike in Zebra Canyon, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah. (Submitted photo)

McComb grew up in the Madison area and earned a bachelor’s degree in geography from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He then spent several years in Utah, where he completed a master’s degree in bioregional planning and worked in planning and conservation.

Said Tim Campbell, Wisconsin Sea Grant’s aquatic invasive species outreach specialist, “Scott has a lot of experience helping communities plan and implement projects that help them improve their communities. I look forward to seeing how that experience helps him build upon existing local partnerships in southeast Wisconsin to improve aquatic invasive species prevention and management.”

A desire to be closer to family brought McComb and his wife back to Wisconsin. In their free time, they enjoy canoeing, kayaking and simply being out in nature.

As McComb settles into his new role, he encourages people seeking AIS information to get in touch. He can be reached at 608-890-0977 or McComb@aqua.wisc.edu.

The post Scott McComb ready to take on aquatic invasive species role in southeast Wisconsin first appeared on Wisconsin Sea Grant.

Original Article

News Releases – Wisconsin Sea Grant

News Releases – Wisconsin Sea Grant

https://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/news/scott-mccomb-ready-to-take-on-aquatic-invasive-species-role-in-southeast-wisconsin/

Jennifer Smith

On:
In: Daily News

There may come a day on the Illinois River when a fish swims up a chute, slides through a scanner, and, after being recognized as a feared silver carp, is sorted and removed, eventually ending up in a carp burger on your dinner plate. Read the full story by the Chicago Tribune.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210602-carp-invasive

Patrick Canniff

On:
In: Daily News

Kohler Co.’s quest to build another major golf course along Lake Michigan in Sheboygan County, WI has hit another legal obstacle. A Sheboygan County judge on Friday dismissed the company’s lawsuit that sought to preserve a Department of Natural Resources permit to fill a wetland, a permit that an administrative law judge later ruled was mistakenly granted. Read the full story by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210602-wetland-permit

Patrick Canniff

On:
In: Daily News

Light fixtures resembling traffic signals with red, yellow and green lights have been installed on the beach’s bathhouse/concession building and at the kite boarding building across from the water filtration plant. In addition, red strobe lights have been installed on the buildings’ roofs and will be used to warn of hazardous conditions. Read the full story by Mlive.com.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210602-beach-warning

Patrick Canniff

On:
In: Daily News

Part of President Biden’s Fiscal Year 2022 Civil Works Budget is funding for the Great Lakes Coastal Resiliency Study, a new project that includes the three Great Lakes districts, Buffalo, Chicago and Detroit. The goal is to create a plan identifying vulnerable coastal areas and recommending actions to bolster the coastal resources’ ability to withstand, recover from and adapt to future hydrologic uncertainty with respect to built and natural coastal environments. Recent high-water events across the Great Lakes brought about the study’s need. Read the full story by DredgingToday.com.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210602-coastal-resiliency

Patrick Canniff

On:
In: Daily News

Researchers hope to inspect the stomachs of as many as 10,000 fish from across Lake Superior in the coming year as a part of the Lake Superior PredatorPrey Project, a region-wide effort that includes Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Ontario as well as federal and tribal agencies looking at the relationship between predator fish and their prey in the big lake. Read the full story by Brainerd Dispatch.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210602-fish-superior

Patrick Canniff

On:
In: Daily News

The construction of a huge, new lock at Michigan’s Soo Locks was awarded $480 million in federal funding in President Joe Biden’s 2022 federal budget proposal. While the budget is likely to undergo changes before approval by Congress, Biden’s proposed budget includes a large allocation for the new lock that will cost an estimated $922 million. The proposal includes about $595 million for projects within the Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District. Read the full story by MLive.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210602-soo-locks

Patrick Canniff

On:
In: Daily News

Shipwreck enthusiasts like Valerie van Heest, a veteran shipwreck explorer with the Michigan Shipwreck Research Association, say the move south is disappointing in many respects because the artifact was previously accessible to the public near Deerlick Creek Park in South Haven, MI. Read the full story by MLive.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210602-shipwreck

Patrick Canniff

On:
In: Daily News

Each year, the DNR’s beach program reaches out to citizens, local beach managers and public health departments along Wisconsin’s Great Lakes coasts to determine what changes, if any, are needed to the Wisconsin beach list and program information. The proposed list includes one new beach and changes to two existing beaches. Read the full story by Ashland Daily Press.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210602-wisconsin-beaches

Patrick Canniff

On:
In: Daily News

The Ohio River Basin has many of the same challenges as the Great Lakes, Chesapeake Bay and many other watersheds that receive considerable amounts of federal money on an annual basis. However, Ohio River Basin never received the sustained annual funding needed to achieve ecological and infrastructure restoration. Read the full story by The Columbus Dispatch.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210602-infrastructure-ohio

Patrick Canniff

On:
In: Daily News

The 50th anniversary is “a vindication” of the department to the former minister of the environment, who went back and forth between federal and provincial politics in an effort to champion environmental concerns. Read the full story by Canada’s National Observer.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210602-canada-environment

Patrick Canniff

On:
In: Asian carp, Collaboration, Feature Homepage, fish, Fish, Birds and Animals, invasive species, Lake Superior, Latest News, News, Ontario, recreational fishing, Recreational Hunting and Fishing, Toronto
New anglers could depress Great Lakes fish populations more than invasive species

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

By Brandon Chew, Great Lakes Echo

More fishing trips could cause more damage to native fish populations in the Canadian portion of the Great Lakes than aquatic invasive species, according to a recent study.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/06/new-anglers-great-lakes-fish-populations-invasive-species/

Great Lakes Echo

On:
In: AP, Beaches, Boating, Paddle Sports and Sailing, Feature Homepage, Lake Michigan, Michigan, News, Recreation and Tourism
Lifeguards up for discussion in Lake Michigan beach town

SOUTH HAVEN, Mich. (AP) — A popular Lake Michigan beach town has been discussing whether to bring lifeguards back to the waterfront.

The South Haven Beach Safety Committee recently voted against recommending lifeguards or a second line of buoys, said City Manager Kate Hosier.

The committee’s work will be reviewed by the city council in South Haven, 60 miles southwest of Grand Rapids.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/06/ap-lifeguards-south-haven-lake-michigan/

The Associated Press

On:
In: Echo, history, indigenous, Native American

A historic archaeological site on the shore of the Grand River in Ottawa County’s Crockery Township may contain the largest collection of Upper Great Lakes cache pits ever excavated.

The post Abandoned food caches offer evidence of Native American survival strategies first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/06/02/abandoned-food-caches-offer-evidence-of-native-american-survival-strategies/

Guest Contributor

On:
In: Letters

On behalf of the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition and our more than 170 member organizations, I write to offer our support for the proposed substitute amendment to H.R. 1915, the Water Quality Protection and Job Creation Act of 2021.

Read the Coalition’s letter here.

HOW-TI-water-infrastructure-legislation-H.R.-1915-Letter-of-Support-v.Final_

The post Letter of support for the proposed substitute amendment to H.R. 1915, the Water Quality Protection and Job Creation Act of 2021 appeared first on Healing Our Waters Coalition.

Original Article

Healing Our Waters Coalition

Healing Our Waters Coalition

https://healthylakes.org/letter-of-support-for-the-proposed-substitute-amendment-to-h-r-1915-the-water-quality-protection-and-job-creation-act-of-2021/

Jordan Lubetkin

On:
In: AP, Chicago, Feature-Chicago, Illinois, Lake Michigan, News, water levels
High waves wash out Chicago beaches as Lake Michigan reopens

CHICAGO (AP) — Beaches in Chicago were washed out by high waves Friday on the first day the city was to reopen Lake Michigan to swimming since summer 2019.

Waves reached up to 11 feet (3.35 meters) high, closing many of the beaches that had been set to open for the first time since Sept.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/06/ap-high-waves-chicago-beaches-lake-michigan/

The Associated Press

On:
In: AP, erosion, Indiana, Lake Michigan, lake michigann, News
Boulders in place to protect lakefront at Indiana Dunes Park

PORTAGE, Ind. (AP) — The National Park Service says the Portage Lakefront at Indiana Dunes National Park has reopened after a project to install boulders to protect the pavilion and assure safer access to the shoreline.

It says the joint effort by the City of Portage and the Park Service involved the installation of more than 1,000 tons of boulders needed to protect the lakefront and the Riverwalk from erosion.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/06/ap-boulders-lakefront-indiana-dunes-lake-michigan/

The Associated Press

On:
In: Uncategorized
...PATCHY DENSE FOG EXPECTED EARLY THIS MORNING ACROSS NORTHEAST WISCONSIN... Look for patchy dense fog across northeast Wisconsin during the early morning hours, which is expected to affect the morning commute. The fog will reduce visibilities below one mile, with some locations approaching one quarter of a mile at times.

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=WI1261A5B2C3FC.SpecialWeatherStatement.1261A5B35100WI.GRBSPSGRB.3b77a733acfe35fc01f412b80021d336

w-nws.webmaster@noaa.gov

On:
In: electric vehicles, ev, transportation

As electric vehicle demands grow, one focus of concern is how to make them more environmentally sustainable. 

The post Companies team up to support electric vehicle recycling in Michigan first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/06/01/companies-team-up-to-support-electric-vehicle-recycling-in-michigan/

Guest Contributor

On:
In: Uncategorized
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN BROWN...SOUTHWESTERN KEWAUNEE...CALUMET...WINNEBAGO...SOUTHEASTERN WAUSHARA...SOUTH CENTRAL WAUPACA...SOUTHERN OUTAGAMIE AND MANITOWOC COUNTIES UNTIL 815 PM CDT... At 713 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong gust front extending from near Kewaunee to 7 miles south of Denmark to Menasha

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=WI1261A5B181B8.SpecialWeatherStatement.1261A5B1A92CWI.GRBSPSGRB.d65efe55088dd94d9c460efb2df919a6

w-nws.webmaster@noaa.gov

On:
In: Uncategorized
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHERN BROWN...NORTHERN PORTAGE...SOUTHEASTERN MARATHON...KEWAUNEE...SOUTHERN MARINETTE... DOOR...MENOMINEE...NORTHERN WAUPACA...SOUTHERN OCONTO...NORTHERN OUTAGAMIE...SOUTH CENTRAL LANGLADE AND SHAWANO COUNTIES UNTIL 700 PM CDT... At 555 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms

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=WI1261A188D0C8.SpecialWeatherStatement.1261A5B17C40WI.GRBSPSGRB.2b27bb8d0c111b78f563637880cb5c05

w-nws.webmaster@noaa.gov

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In: Uncategorized
...FROST ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM CDT THIS MORNING... * WHAT...Temperatures as low as 31 will result in frost formation. * WHERE...Portions of central, east central and northeast Wisconsin. * WHEN...Until 7 AM CDT this morning.

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=WI1261A1684BC8.FrostAdvisory.1261A168AF00WI.GRBNPWGRB.906bfc3bddfb0c1ea2d1e47483a25d75

w-nws.webmaster@noaa.gov

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In: Uncategorized
...FROST ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 7 AM CDT SATURDAY... * WHAT...Temperatures in the lower to middle 30s will result in frost formation. * WHERE...Portions of central, east central, and northeast Wisconsin. * WHEN...From Midnight tonight to 7 AM CDT Saturday.

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=WI1261A15B29AC.FrostAdvisory.1261A168AF00WI.GRBNPWGRB.906bfc3bddfb0c1ea2d1e47483a25d75

w-nws.webmaster@noaa.gov

On:
In: AP, biden administration, epa, Feature Homepage, News, Policy, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice
EPA restoring state and tribal power to protect waterways

By Matthew Daly, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — In the latest reversal of a Trump-era policy, the Biden administration’s Environmental Protection Agency is restoring a rule that grants states and Native American tribes authority to block pipelines and other energy projects that can pollute rivers, streams and other waterways.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/05/ap-epa-state-tribal-power-protect-waterways/

The Associated Press

On:
In: COVID-19, Drinking Water, Freshwater Weekly, News

May 28, 2021

THIS WEEK: Board Spotlight – Melanie Welch + Freshwater Future Spearheads Billion Dollar Ask to Ohio Legislature and Governor + Maryland Takes Positive Step with ‘Safe School Drinking Water Act’ + Studies Find PFAS in Breast Milk + COVID-19 Pandemic Shines a Light on Need for Safe, Clean, and Affordable Water

Board Spotlight – Melanie Welch

Time spent at Indiana Dunes as a youth sparked the interest in biology and the environment for Freshwater Future board member, Melanie Welch. Melanie is Deputy Director of the American Library Association’s Public Programs Office, where she develops national informal education programs and professional development opportunities for librarians and libraries of all types throughout the United States. Melanie is a veteran non-profit professional, with additional experience in outcomes-based work at museums and environmental organizations, including several years on staff with Freshwater Future. Click here to read more about Melanie.                                                                             

Freshwater Future Spearheads Billion Dollar Ask to Ohio Legislature and Governor

Freshwater Future and local partner Junction Coalition are spearheading a bold idea to ask the state of Ohio to utilize federal funds to remove toxic lead pipes in the state – a billion dollars worth. As a result, we are working with a diverse group of Ohio, Regional, and National organizations, representing medical, environmental, housing, and community interests, to request $1 billion of the proposed more than $5 billion the state of Ohio will receive in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to be dedicated to residential full lead service line replacements. These funds would supplement H2Ohio funding that is being used to replace lead service lines and fixtures in daycares and schools as well as other water infrastructure needs. Ohio is second in the nation for lead service lines at an estimated 650,000 lines. Read the full request here.

Maryland Takes Positive Step with ‘Safe School Drinking Water Act’

The efforts of many Maryland citizen action groups helped to move Governor Hogan to sign the ‘Safe School Drinking Water Act’. The legislation will require schools in Maryland to reduce allowable lead levels to 5ppb beginning June 1st. While zero lead in drinking water is the only safe level, this new regulation may be a step in the right direction in protecting children from the harmful effects of lead, as long as it doesn’t make people believe that 5ppb is safe – it is not.“EPA has set the maximum contaminant level goal for lead in drinking water at zero because lead is a toxic metal that can be harmful to human health even at low exposure levels.”

Study Finds Toxic PFAS in Breast Milk 

Recent research published in Environmental Science and Technology has found traces of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the breast milk of all 50 women studied in the Seattle area. Researchers found 16 different PFAS chemicals, ranging from 52 to more than 500 parts per trillion, in samples of breast milk tested. Evidence suggests that these women ingested PFAS through diet and indoor exposure. This research is further evidence among a growing body of studies that PFAS chemicals accumulate in our bodies and are toxic.

COVID-19 Pandemic Continues to Shine a Light on Need for Safe, Clean, and Affordable Water

During the COVID-19 pandemic, restrictions and closures meant most people were spending more time at home, shining a light on the essential need for clean, safe running water in every home. Since the height of the pandemic, congress has put more time and investment into the country’s dire need for water and wastewater infrastructure upgrades. An action long overdue, the Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act S.914, recently passing the Senate, is now waiting for House approval. This legislation will provide $35 billion in federal funding for local projects to upgrade our water infrastructure over five years. Although not nearly enough to fix the myriad problems with our water infrastructure and pricing across the country, we hope this is a first step in the federal government returning to a focus on helping to ensure basic human rights such as clean, safe and affordable water.

Original Article

Blog – Freshwater Future

Blog – Freshwater Future

https://freshwaterfuture.org/drinking-water/freshwater-weekly-may-28-2021/

Freshwater Future

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In: Uncategorized

Chicago, IL (May 28, 2021) – Earlier today, President Biden released the President’s FY 2022 budget. In response, Alliance for the Great Lakes Director of Federal Relations Donald Jodrey released the following statement:

“The FY 2022 President’s Budget builds on the Administration’s drinking and wastewater infrastructure proposal and continues the theme of investing in America including programs that are critical here in the Great Lakes.

The budget includes $4.9 million for the Army Corps of Engineers to carry out design work for the Brandon Road Lock and Dam project which is critical to stopping the spread of invasive carp towards the Great Lakes.

In addition, $500,000 is included in the Corps’ budget to initiate the Great Lakes Coastal Resiliency Study which will assist states in dealing with fluctuating water levels and climate change.

We also note that the budget includes an additional $10 million for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative which will fund the program at $340 million and we are hopeful that Congress will increase that program further and fund it at the authorized level of $375 million.”

###

Media contact: Jennifer Caddick, jcaddick@greatlakes.org

The post Statement on President Biden’s Budget 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/2021/05/statement-on-president-bidens-budget/

Judy Freed

On:
In: Uncategorized

Chicago, IL (May 28, 2021) – Earlier today, President Biden released the President’s FY 2022 budget. In response, Alliance for the Great Lakes Director of Federal Relations Donald Jodrey released the following statement:

“The FY 2022 President’s Budget builds on the Administration’s drinking and wastewater infrastructure proposal and continues the theme of investing in America including programs that are critical here in the Great Lakes.

The budget includes $4.9 million for the Army Corps of Engineers to carry out design work for the Brandon Road Lock and Dam project which is critical to stopping the spread of invasive carp towards the Great Lakes.

In addition, $500,000 is included in the Corps’ budget to initiate the Great Lakes Coastal Resiliency Study which will assist states in dealing with fluctuating water levels and climate change.

We also note that the budget includes an additional $10 million for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative which will fund the program at $340 million and we are hopeful that Congress will increase that program further and fund it at the authorized level of $375 million.”

###

Media contact: Jennifer Caddick, jcaddick@greatlakes.org

The post Statement on President Biden’s Budget 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/2021/05/statement-on-president-bidens-budget/

Judy Freed

On:
In: Energy, Energy, Clean Energy, Ethanol and Fracking, Feature Homepage, Illinois, Latest News, Michigan, Minnesota, News, Ohio
Energy News Roundup: Solar-powered pork in Illinois, Michigan gas prices rise, Bitcoin creates Mining Council

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:

  • At long last, a new Illinois energy bill is likely imminent – Energy News Network

An ambitious clean energy bill appears poised to pass in Illinois before the end of the legislative session this month, with stakeholders feverishly negotiating to find common ground and hash out crucial details.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/05/energy-news-solar-illinois-michigan-gas-bitcoin-mining-council/

Rachel Duckett

On:
In: Energy, Energy, Clean Energy, Ethanol and Fracking, Feature Homepage, Illinois, Latest News, Michigan, Minnesota, News, Ohio
Energy News Roundup: Solar-powered pork in Illinois, Michigan gas prices rise, Bitcoin creates Mining Council

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:

  • At long last, a new Illinois energy bill is likely imminent – Energy News Network

An ambitious clean energy bill appears poised to pass in Illinois before the end of the legislative session this month, with stakeholders feverishly negotiating to find common ground and hash out crucial details.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/05/energy-news-solar-illinois-michigan-gas-bitcoin-mining-council/

Rachel Duckett

On:
In: Uncategorized

Summary

The Water Policy Fellow works with the Agriculture and Water team on a range of issues and activities related to the Alliance’s Great Lakes and agriculture nutrient policy priorities and research. The Fellow will support work across the Great Lakes region through research, writing, and policy analysis. The Fellow will work both independently and collaboratively on varying tasks to ensure timely and high-quality deliverables. Additionally, the Fellow may be asked to represent the Alliance in a public-facing capacity, attending community events, public hearings, and events hosted by partners and decision-makers. The Water Policy Fellow reports to the Senior Policy Manager. The Alliance for the Great Lakes sets a protection agenda for the Great Lakes, a resource of global significance and the world’s largest source of surface freshwater. The Alliance seeks to protect the Great Lakes from their greatest threats, build a resilient future for communities and instill the value of clean water throughout the region. Learn more about the Alliance at www.greatlakes.org.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities

Compile an agriculture and water governance and policy outline for the Great Lakes region to be shared internally with the Alliance and close partners
• Research and draft report detailing the cost of intervention for nutrients and algae blooms for water utilities in key geographies in the basin
• Assess and develop a process for tracking agriculture-related permits in key geographies in the basin
• Assess current information and processes for quantifying nutrient sources in the Lake Erie Watershed
• Research a prioritized lists of current and alternative funding and policy mechanisms for achieving nutrient reduction targets in Green Bay, conduct a gap analyses, and report on findings
• Review literature focused on agriculture and nutrient pollution management, policy, socioeconomic, and governance and contribute to an annotated bibliography and resource sharing process
• Support the Alliance’s policy positions through public-facing communications, including writing, attending community events, participating in public hearings and events hosted by partners and decision-makers as needed

Knowledge/Skills

  • The ideal candidate will have experience in water policy, law, and/or planning with some background related to agricultural impacts on water and communities preferred
  • Bachelor’s degree plus 1 year of experience in policy research or a related field preferred (1 year of graduate-level school work would meet this preference)
  • Strong listening, written, and verbal communications skills
  • Ability to review multiple source documents (including peer-reviewed academic literature), filter important information, and summarize key points from research and meetings respectively
  • Ability to manage multiple pieces of work in a fast-paced environment and shift focus quickly from one priority to another
  • Ability to work collaboratively with a staff team located in different offices with varying types of expertise and priorities
  • Some knowledge of large-scale or watershed planning or water law is a bonus
  • Attraction to mission-driven public interest work
  • Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint

Job Parameters/Expectations

  •  Work with Supervisor to design the plan of work with clearly defined outcomes and timelines subject to the Fellow’s abilities and the Fellowship’s aims
  •  Participate in regularly scheduled meetings virtually and possibly some in-person
  • This is a part-time, temporary, paid position for June – October 2021, with extension option pending performance and project development
  • Compensation is hourly with an average goal per week
  •  “Office hours” are expected but flexibility can be discussed, as needed, with supervisor’s prior approval

 Application Process

Please e-mail a cover letter, resume, references, and writing sample to: hr@greatlakes.org. Include job title in the subject line.

The application period may stay open until June 29 or the position is filled, whichever is earlier. Materials should be compatible with Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat. Applicants will receive confirmation of receipt of their materials and further guidance and updates about the hiring process by e-mail, with interviews provided for finalists. No phone inquiries, please.

 About the Alliance for the Great Lakes

The Alliance for the Great Lakes is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The search process will reinforce the Alliance’s belief that achieving diversity requires an enduring commitment to inclusion that must find full expression in our organizational culture, values, norms, and behaviors.

The Alliance’s vision is a healthy Great Lakes for people and wildlife, forever. Its mission is to conserve and restore the world’s largest freshwater resource using policy, education and local efforts, ensuring a healthy Great Lakes and clean water for generations of people and wildlife.

 

The post We’re Hiring a Water Quality Policy Fellow 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/2021/05/were-hiring-a-water-quality-policy-fellow/

Michelle Farley

On:
In: Daily News

The Memorial Day weekend is on the horizon and it just won’t be the same for several Mid-Michigan communities. After a dam failure caused Wixom Lake to drain last year, many businesses are bracing for a summer with less tourism. Read the full story by WJRT-TV- Sanford, MI.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210528-lakeless

Ken Gibbons

On:
In: Uncategorized
...FROST ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 7 AM CDT SATURDAY... * WHAT...Temperatures in the lower to middle 30s will result in frost formation. * WHERE...Portions of central, east central, and northeast Wisconsin. * WHEN...From Midnight tonight to 7 AM CDT Saturday.

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=WI1261A159EAEC.FrostAdvisory.1261A168AF00WI.GRBNPWGRB.906bfc3bddfb0c1ea2d1e47483a25d75

w-nws.webmaster@noaa.gov

On:
In: Daily News

Paul Smith’s College Adirondack Watershed Institute is offering free boat inspections and decontaminations starting on Memorial Day weekend at more than 60 boat launches and road-side locations across the Adirondack region in New York to help the public stop the spread of aquatic invasive species. Read the full story by Upstate New York.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210528-decontamination

Ken Gibbons

On:
In: Daily News

Great Lakes steel production rose by 5,000 tons last week, while U.S. steel mills remained close to 80% capacity utilization. National steel output is up 8.7% so far this year and more than 46% over 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/20210528-steel

Ken Gibbons

On:
In: Daily News

When it comes to the plants and animals that you may see on your trip to the beach, most people likely don’t give them much thought. However, some of those plants and animals are invasive in the waters or shores of Lake Michigan, causing environmental or socio-economic harm. Read the full story by WZZM-TV- Grand Rapids, MI.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210528-invasive

Ken Gibbons

On:
In: Beaches, Boating, Paddle Sports and Sailing, Collaboration, indigenous communities, invasive species, Latest News, mussels, News
If it’s summerish time, it’s mussel time

This article is part of a collaboration between The Char-Koosta News and Great Lakes Now at Detroit Public Television. Our partnership brings readers stories about issues of, research about and solutions to the invasive mussel problem – a challenge that’s shared by communities around Flathead Lake, its nearby waters and the Great Lakes.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/05/summer-time-invasive-mussel-boat-inspections/

Char-Koosta News