On:
In: COVID-19, Cruise Ships, cruises, Great Lakes, Ian Wendrow, Latest News, News, ports, Recreation, Tourism and Culture, Shipping and Ports, Tourism
COVID-19 Cruise Cut: Great Lakes cruise season postpones trips until 2021

Once left ambiguously up in the air, the rest of the 2020 cruising season in the Great Lakes has been officially postponed until 2021, due largely to preventative measures taken by both American and Canadian ports restricting cruise ship docking to halt the spread of COVID-19. 

When one of the largest players in the Great Lakes cruising industry, Victory Cruises, announced it would be cancelling its 2020 itinerary at the end of May, it became much more likely that others would follow suit.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/06/covid-19-cruise-great-lakes-season-2021/

Ian Wendrow

On:
In: Daily News

On Wednesday, June 3, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler announced the re-establishment of the Great Lakes Advisory Board, during an event at the Grand Valley State University Annis Water Research Institute in Muskegon, Michigan. Read the full story by Holland Sentinel.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200605-advisory-board

Jill Estrada

On:
In: Daily News

Samples of water taken into Duluth’s Lakewood pump house “did not reveal any concerns about the safety of the drinking water drawn,” said a top state official in a letter to St. Louis County, Minnesota  last week. Read the full story by the Duluth News Tribune.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200605-duluth-pollution

Jill Estrada

On:
In: Daily News

On Tuesday, June 2, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler and U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, toured Lake Michigan around St. Joseph, Michigan to view cases of shoreline erosion, pollution clean up progress and more. Read the full story by the Holland Sentinel.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200605-michigan-erosion

Jill Estrada

On:
In: Daily News

The International Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Board had been deviating from the prescribed outflow levels set forth in its water management plan, Plan 2014, since last October in order to avoid a repeat of flooding along the Lake Ontario shoreline in 2019. But officials now say that thanks to higher outflows, when Lake Ontario peaked in early May it was 20 inches lower than where it peaked last year. Read the full story by WRVO – Syracuse, NY.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200605-ontario-levels

Jill Estrada

On:
In: Daily News

It was a beautiful summer scene along the shores of Sandusky Bay in Ohio on Thursday… once you got past the smell. A few days before, plenty of dead fish lined the shores, with few now remaining that hadn’t been picked apart by other wildlife. Biologists say events like this are completely natural processes — especially with the specific type of fish floating up. Read the full story by WTVG – TV – Toledo, OH.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200605-dead-fish

Jill Estrada

On:
In: Groundwater Contamination, indigenous communities, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Lake Superior, Latest News, Lorraine Boissoneault, Mining, Minnesota, News, Water quality, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts
Conflicted Over Copper: How the Mining Industry Developed Around Lake Superior

This is the first in a three-part series that will explore the history of Lake Superior and the Boundary waters, the communities affected by two proposed copper mines, the arguments in favor and against the mines, and what the mines might mean for the future of the Great Lakes.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/06/copper-mining-history-lake-superior-minnesota/

Lorraine Boissoneault

On:
In: Daily News

For decades, toxic mining waste known as stamp sands was dumped into Lake Superior along the Keweenaw Peninsula in Michigan. Now, these sands are drifting along the shoreline, smothering critical habitat for fish and aquatic wildlife and threatening historical fishing waters for Lake Superior’s Ojibwe tribes. Read the full story by WXPR – Rhinelander, WI.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200604-stamp-sands

Ned Willig

On:
In: Daily News

In Door County, Wisconsin, beaches are open, but people are asked to practice social distancing amid COVID-19 safety measures. However, with less space on land due to high lake levels and beach erosion, and people crowding as a possible result, some people may avoid beaches altogether. Read the full story by the Green Bay Press-Gazette.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200604-door-co

Ned Willig

On:
In: Daily News

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is stepping in to help the city of St. Joseph, Michigan, save their beaches. The Corps is spreading sediments dredged from St. Joseph Harbor along the beaches to offset losses from erosion. Read the full story by WSBT-TV – South Bend, IN.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200604-st-joseph-harbor

Ned Willig

On:
In: Daily News

A research at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio received $700,000 for projects that develop new methods for removing contaminants from livestock manure and attempt to remove excess nutrients from agricultural runoff. Read the full story by The Plain Dealer.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200604-case-western

Ned Willig

On:
In: Daily News

The Ohio Power Siting Board recently approved a proposal for a six-turbine wind farm in Lake Erie that could become the first offshore freshwater wind power site in the U.S. However, the board placed several conditions on the installations that could kill the project. Read the full story by Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200604-erie-wind

Ned Willig

On:
In: Daily News

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency will hold a hearing on a key water permit for Enbridge’s proposed Line 3 oil pipeline later this summer. Environmental groups and Minnesota tribes requested a hearing over concerns the pipeline could harm wetlands and streams.  The move will further delay construction of the $2.8 billion oil pipeline. Read the full story by the Brainerd Dispatch.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200604-line3

Ned Willig

On:
In: Daily News

A U.S. House of Representatives committee is investigating the state and federal government’s oversight of a Midland-area dam that failed last month, and demanding answers to detailed questions about their oversight of the Edenville Dam. Read the full story by Bridge Magazine.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200604-midland

Ned Willig

On:
In: Daily News

The draining of lakes in Michigan following the Edenville Dam collapse raises questions regarding ownership of the newly exposed land. The answer depends on the type of lake and the lakefront property in question. Read the full story by the Midland Daily News.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200604-bottomlands

Ned Willig

On:
In: 2020 Aquaculture Challenge, Drew Polak, Lake Superior State University, Merrill High School, Olivia Dachel

Olivia Dachel, a Merrill High School teacher who attended Sea Grant’s R/V Denis Sullivan educators’ cruise in 2019, has used knowledge she gained through Sea Grant to help her students go on to greater things. Her team of students took home the grand prize in the 2020 Aquaculture Challenge competition cosponsored by Lake Superior State University in Sault St. Marie, Michigan, and Michigan Sea Grant.

The students actually won two awards, one for Best Overall Integrated Design and another for Technical Savvy. Teams were challenged to research and create an automated system for fish and plant growth that could be marketed and sold to homes or businesses. Students submitted a business plan and video pitch, engineered a fully functional aquaponics system, and created and programmed automated monitoring systems to maintain system health and productivity using a circuit board, temperature, light and ammonia sensors.

Merrill High School aquaculture team captain Drew Polak stands next to the team’s winning project. Image credit: Drew Polak.

Team Captain Drew Polak said, “Our goal as a team was simple: to provide a functional and stylish aquaponics system to encourage a happy and healthy lifestyle.” 

The Merrill team competed against 23 others from Michigan and Wisconsin, totaling over 300 students in grades 9-12. The contest is designed to engage high school students in an interdisciplinary learning competition of science, business and computer science. The competition centers on the concept of providing sustainable, local food to meet the demand for fresh produce and seafood in local markets.  Aquaponics is now deemed critical to help the food supply chain in the current crippled global trade and economy caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Aquaponics is a combination of aquaculture, which is growing fish and other aquatic animals, and hydroponics, which is growing plants without soil. To be successful, an aquaponics unit must carefully balance nutrients, fish, bacteria and plants. Anything out of balance will cause the system to collapse.

Judges applauded the students for their creativity, intelligence and grit as they overcame immense challenges presented by the pandemic to complete the project.

Polak said, “This project really put our skills to the test. It was an amazing experience for me and my teammates. It was challenging to coordinate pickups for components the other team members were working on as well as having to undergo the turn-in process virtually. It was a difficult road, but we endured, and it paid off.” 

Dachel said, “It was a dream project to integrate disciplines of science, computer science and business to solve a read-world problem. I am so proud of the resilience, creativity, intelligence and problem-solving abilities of my students to not only complete, but win this competition during such a difficult time. I am truly inspired by my students and feel fortunate to work with them.”

Original Article

Blog – Wisconsin Sea Grant

Blog – Wisconsin Sea Grant

https://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/blog/merrill-high-school-team-overcomes-barriers-to-claim-aquaculture-championship-during-pandemic/

Marie Zhuikov

On:
In: Uncategorized

Social, racial, and economic justice are inseparable from environmental justice. We cannot achieve our vision of a Great Lakes enjoyed by all when systemic racism is allowed to permeate our society unchecked. We are outraged by the death of George Floyd, who was killed by a police officer in Minneapolis. We are outraged at the threats made against Christian Cooper, who was birding in Central Park in New York City. We condemn these as part of a pattern of violence and racism, and we stand with the movement for black lives.

No one should have to fear for their health and safety when enjoying everything the Great Lakes have to offer – from hanging out with friends on a Chicago beach to drawing a glass of water from the tap at home to jogging along a lakefront trail in the city or the remote shores of Lake Superior. All too often, black, brown, and indigenous people cannot take these things for granted.

The Alliance for the Great Lakes has work to do to address racial equity in our work, internally and externally. We have started this – as individuals, as an organization, and in our communities – but we know that we have a long way to go.

To all who are fighting systemic injustice right now and those who are hurting, we and the Alliance hear you, see you, and stand with you. We are committed to fighting for justice in the communities where we live, work, and play.

There is no perfect starting point. It is important to just start. Here are three steps we are taking and we encourage you to join in:

  • Donate to local social, environmental or racial justice organizations.
  • Reflect on and speak up against injustice.
  • Educate yourself in understanding systemic racism.

The post “Social, Racial, and Economic Justice Are Inseparable from Environmental Justice” 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/2020/06/social-racial-and-economic-justice/

Judy Freed

On:
In: Daily News

Three Michigan state senators have introduced legislation aimed at protecting major waterways and public health in Michigan by requiring state-wide risk assessments of contaminated properties along major waterways. Read the full story by WILX-TV – Lansing, MI.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200603-waterways-public-health-bill

Samantha Tank

On:
In: Daily News

More details of a planned Lake Michigan park have been released by Muskegon County, Michigan, which has applied for a $10 million state grant for the project that would convert a former sand mine into a public recreation area. Read the full story by MLive.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200603-lake-michigan-park

Samantha Tank

On:
In: Daily News

Residents of Midland County, Michigan, that were impacted by the catastrophic flooding in mid-May are now left to decide if they should stay and rebuild or start over somewhere else if they can. The only sure thing is that nothing will return to exactly as it was before. Read the full story by the Detroit Free Press.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200603-flood-restoration

Samantha Tank

On:
In: Daily News

The Crystal Lake and Watershed Association in Benzie County, Michigan, is still planning to treat invasive Eurasian milfoil in Crystal Lake. The herbicide treatment will be applied by boat and applicators will use a drone to help locate treatment areas. Read the full story The Laredo Morning Times.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200603-watermilfoil-treatment

Samantha Tank

On:
In: Daily News

The National Oceanographic Atmospheric Administration and the Bureau of Economic Analysis found the nation’s ocean and Great Lakes-dependent activities contributed about $373 billion to the overall U.S. economy in 2018. Read the full story by the Treasure Coast Palm.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200603-great-lakes-economy

Samantha Tank

On:
In: Uncategorized
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHERN BROWN...SOUTHWESTERN KEWAUNEE...NORTHERN CALUMET...SOUTHEASTERN OUTAGAMIE AND NORTHERN MANITOWOC COUNTIES UNTIL 930 PM CDT... At 823 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Kimberly, or near Appleton, moving east at 35 mph. Pea size hail, very heavy rainfall and winds in excess of 45 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=WI125F51C44D30.SpecialWeatherStatement.125F51C47698WI.GRBSPSGRB.d71e68a5193e67d5635a12b852098e68

w-nws.webmaster@noaa.gov

On:
In: Uncategorized
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 240 IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1200 AM CDT FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS WI . WISCONSIN COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE BROWN CALUMET COLUMBIA DANE DODGE FOND DU LAC

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=WI125F51B84774.SevereThunderstormWatch.125F51C4E010WI.WNSWOU0.5db0bf65da1fbe15399081b58755572b

w-nws.webmaster@noaa.gov

On:
In: AP, cleanup, epa, Groundwater Contamination, Indiana, News, restoration, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts
EPA seeks comments on cleanup of Indianapolis Superfund site

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The federal government is seeking the public’s input on its plan to clean up groundwater contamination at a Superfund site in Indianapolis that’s tainted with chemicals used by a dry cleaning company.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Thursday that it would accept public comments from June 1 to June 30 on the agency’s proposed cleanup of the Keystone Corridor Ground Water Contamination site.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/06/ap-epa-public-comment-indianapolis-superfund-site/

The Associated Press

On:
In: Daily News

Lake Ontario water levels have gone down around 6 inches since cresting on May 5 and are expected to continue dropping through the summer, according to the International Lake Ontario St. Lawrence River Board. Read the full story by NYup.com.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200602-ontario-water-levels

Patrick Canniff

On:
In: Daily News

U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), co-chair of the Great Lakes Task Force, is exploring the possibility of a new federal entity to revitalize the region — a project that could mirror the scale of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for the eight states that border the Great Lakes. Read the full story by Wisconsin Examiner.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200602-great-lakes-agency

Patrick Canniff