Lake Michigan water levels have continued at record highs this spring and with no sign of dropping anytime soon, lakeshore residents are taking expensive steps to protect their land. Read the full story by WLUK – TV – Green Bay, WI.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200521/water+levels
U.S. Geological Survey field crews are measuring record flooding on the Tittabawassee River in Midland, Michigan, following a heavy rainfall event.
Region 3: Great Lakes
http://www.usgs.gov/news/state-news-release/usgs-crews-measure-major-flooding-lower-michigan
By Ari Kelo, theRising
This story originally appeared in theRising and is republished here as part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story.
From lengthened hurricane seasons to deadly bushfires, the natural disasters symptomatic of climate change are becoming more and more pronounced each year.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/05/america-prepared-natural-disasters-covid-19-coronavirus/
Memorial Day has long been seen as the kickoff of summer. In a time of COVD-19 safer-at-home practices, the promise of a season of outdoor pleasures is even more sweet this year. For many in Wisconsin, boating is one of those pleasures. Here are five things to know about boating in the Badger State, and about a Wisconsin Sea Grant-supported initiative, the Wisconsin Clean Marina Program.
When it comes to boating, Wisconsin’s got historical cred.
With the Mississippi, Wisconsin and St. Croix rivers, the Great Lakes and 15,000 inland lakes, it’s only natural people in this state find ways to float upon water bodies. Entrepreneurs have stepped in to fill the need.
A native of Mequon, Wisconsin, ,started manufacturing motorboat engines out of his machine shop in 1939. That was the birth of Mercury Marine, now the world’s largest manufacturer of boat engines. Builders have also set up shop here, including Manitowoc’s luxury yacht maker Burger Boat Co., which had its origins in crafting commercial fishing vessels beginning in the mid-1800s.
Mrs. Puff wouldn’t find work in Wisconsin.
Mrs. Puff is the beleaguered boat-driving instructor in the animated television program SpongeBob Squarepants. While SpongeBob is a hapless pupil and in Wisconsin Mrs. Puff would likely encounter more skilled boat operators, state law doesn’t require in-person instruction.
To operate a boat, those who are at least 16 years old and born on or after Jan. 1, 1989, must pass an online boater safety course and carry a boater safety certification card, which is like a driver’s license. The Department of Natural Resources provides the training, issues the card and handles registration for all watercraft longer than 12 feet. Sailboards and manually powered watercraft like a kayak or canoe don’t need to be registered.
A Clean Marina in Wisconsin. Image by Marie Zhuikov, Wisconsin Sea Grant.
Boater Safety Certification Card in hand. Now, off to a marina.
The Wisconsin Marine Association notes that marinas and related industries and services contribute more than $2.7 billion to Wisconsin’s economy. The association counts more than 170 boating facilities in Wisconsin. Some of these businesses opt to become a certified Clean Marina.
A certified Clean Marina. What is that?
A Clean Marina voluntarily adopts practices to reduce water pollution from its facility and boaters. The efforts lead to clean lakes and rivers, which are good for business. There are currently 20 certified marinas in Wisconsin and another 20 establishments are working through the rigorous steps to become certified. Marinas see the benefits of becoming certified—creating a safer and healthier place to work and recreate, gaining an enhanced image among boaters and the community, and preventing pollution and the spread of aquatic invasive species.
It comes down to details.
Marinas perform a self-evaluation of their business using the Clean Marina Guidebook and certification checklist from the Wisconsin Clean Marina Program. The guidebook and checklist include things like preventing and cleaning up fuel spills, reducing stormwater pollution and educating boaters. Marinas also host visits from the program coordinator to ensure adherence to the practices.
The Clean Marina Program is administered by Wisconsin Sea Grant in partnership with the Wisconsin Marine Association, Wisconsin Coastal Management Program, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Fund for Lake Michigan.
For more information, contact Theresa Qualls, Wisconsin Clean Marina coordinator, quallst@uwgb.edu.
Blog – Wisconsin Sea Grant
https://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/blog/take-5-summer-boating-and-the-wisconsin-clean-marina-program/
Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2020/05/21/research-delayed-elizabeth-lombardi/
After two dams collapsed under a deluge of stormwater on Tuesday, many residents of Midland, Michigan, have evacuated or are being evacuated.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency for Midland County on Tuesday after the Edenville and Sanford dams breached.
“If you have not evacuated the area, do so now and get somewhere safe,” Whitmer said.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/05/midland-flooding-climate-change-infrastructure/
The Alliance’s Adopt-a-Beach program would not be possible without the involvement of hundreds of Team Leaders like you each year. We are grateful for your efforts to protect the Great Lakes and to keep our beaches safe and beautiful.
On this page you will find the following:
It’s been a challenging year and we’re excited to return to a more normal Adopt-a-Beach season this summer. However COVID-19 related rules and guidelines vary around the Great Lakes region. Adopt-a-Beach Team Leaders and volunteers must follow federal, state, and local coronavirus-related guidelines and should use their best judgement when planning and attending cleanup events.
Before planning an Adopt-a-Beach cleanup, Team Leaders should:
Illinois: https://coronavirus.illinois.gov/s/
Chicago: For up-to-date information, visit the Chicago Park District’s COVID-19 page.
Indiana: https://www.coronavirus.in.gov/
Michigan: https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/
Minnesota: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/prevention.html
New York: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home
Ohio: https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/home
Pennsylvania: https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx
Wisconsin: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/index.htm
Alliance for the Great Lakes staff will update this guidance as appropriate and will communicate any new guidelines with Team Leaders and volunteers. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at adoptabeach@greatlakes.org.
Many of the Great Lakes continue to experience high water levels.
Team Leaders should keep in mind the following safety and logistics concerns when scheduling and leading cleanup events:
We have plenty of resources to help Adopt-a-Beach Team Leaders plan a fun and safe cleanup event. Our Team Leader How-To Guide is a helpful step-by-step guide for organizing an event. And, you can also check out this quick refresher video.
Adopt-a-Beach Team Leaders should stress personal safety with all volunteers at your event including:
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at adoptabeach@greatlakes.org.
The post Safety and Your Adopt-a-Beach Cleanup appeared first on Alliance for the Great Lakes.
News – Alliance for the Great Lakes
News – Alliance for the Great Lakes
https://greatlakes.org/2021/06/safety-and-your-adopt-a-beach-cleanup/
The cool spring weather has slowed down the reproduction cycle of bait fish in Lake Erie, causing a shortage of minnows. Read the full story by WNWO – TV – Toledo, OH.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200520-erie-minnows
Water levels on Lake Michigan and other Great Lakes set a record for April, but that was no surprise to residents up and down whose homes and property flooded last weekend. Read the full story by Green Bay Press-Gazette.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200520-lake-levels
Funded by the H2Ohio initiative, a grant will turn an 18-acre property in Ohio into a recreational wetland, acting as a natural filter for nutrients from drained water of local farms before the water reaches Lake Erie. Read the full story by WTOL – TV – Toledo, OH.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200520-wetland-h2o
The third straight wettest May on record is sending a message: Every town and suburb in the Chicago region needs to do a better job of teaming up to prevent flooding. Read the full story by Chicago Sun Times.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200520-chicago-flooding
Rapidly rising water overtook dams and forced the evacuation of about 10,000 people in central Michigan, where the governor said one downtown could be under 9 feet of water by Wednesday morning after a catastrophic dam failure caused by aging infrastructure. Read the full story by The Washington Post.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200520-dams-flooding
The U.S. Senate committee that oversees water infrastructure projects approved legislation authorizing $18 billion for projects and included a provision that the federal share of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project to stop Asian carp at Brandon Road Lock and Dam in the Chicago waterways system be increased from 65 percent to 75 percent. Read the full story by Great Lakes Now.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200520-asian-carp-plan
A manufacturer of firefighting foam says the majority of more than 250 drinking water wells it’s tested in Marinette County, Wisconsin, turned up no trace of toxic chemicals known as PFAS; state regulators say it’s too early to tell the scope of PFAS contamination within drinking water in the area. Read the full story by Wisconsin Public Radio.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200520-pfas-wisconsin
U.S. EPA’s temporary policy regarding enforcement of environmental legal obligations during the COVID-19 outbreak has received sharp criticism as a step-back from the EPA-established enforceable limit for daily loads of phosphates and runoff published a month ago. Read the full story by Cleveland Scene.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200520-epa-algae-bloom
As Midland County, Michigan, grapples with flooding that collapsed one dam and overtopped another, plus evacuations of people and businesses, Dow Inc. officials have implemented the chemical company’s flood preparedness plan. Read the full story by MLive.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200520-dam-failure
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel condemned the Navigable Waters Protection Rule as a replacement of the 2015 Waters of the United States rule, stating that the change would result in reduced protection under the Clean Water Act for many wetlands and smaller streams. Read the full story by WNEM – TV – Saginaw, MI.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200520-clean-water-act-michigan
Once niche, podcasts have gone mainstream. According to figures cited in Forbes, 62 million Americans now listen to podcasts each week.
Sea Grant’s Yael Gen designed the cover art for the new podcast.
While Wisconsin Sea Grant and the University of Wisconsin Water Resources Institute have been involved in podcasting for years—from the current series Wisconsin Water News to older programs like Earthwatch Radio—there’s a new kid on the block: a podcast called “Introduced” that will be devoted to aquatic invasive species (AIS). Its tagline is “aquatic invaders and stories from our changing waters.”
“Introduced” is the brainchild of Sea Grant Video Producer Bonnie Willison and student employee Sydney Widell, a UW-Madison geography and geosciences major from Shorewood, Wis.
The series will span seven episodes, with one per week released beginning May 27. Listeners can find it on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify and on Sea Grant’s website.
While the simple name for the series conveys a bit of mystery, it also makes perfect sense. Said Willison, “As Sydney and I started learning more about invasive species, we noticed that there is a tendency for people to villainize these species. But we also noticed that humans are the ones introducing all these species to new environments. The title for our series puts the agency on people, which is something that we focus on in the podcast.”
Sydney Widell, one of the creators of the new podcast, on a visit to an electric fish barrier in Illinois in February. The barrier helps keep Asian carp out of the Great Lakes. (Photo: Bonnie Willison)
Guests interviewed in the series include representatives from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Geological Survey, UW-Madison, the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, and a rescue organization focusing on exotic animals. Several Sea Grant staff also make appearances.
Topics are wide-ranging, from Asian carp to the trade in invasive species on the Internet. Because the AIS field is so rich, Willison anticipates doing a second season of the “Introduced” podcast. Stay tuned!
News Releases – Wisconsin Sea Grant
News Releases – Wisconsin Sea Grant
https://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/news/introducing-introduced-sea-grants-newest-podcast/
Produced fully during the COVID-19 pandemic, this episode of Great Lakes Now checks in with people, businesses and institutions from previous episodes to see how work has changed during the public health emergency and its economic fallout. But while social distancing keeps people inside, it lets the residents of some Great Lakes aquariums get out.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/05/lakes-on-lockdown-episode-1014/
Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2020/05/20/research-delayed-ellie-weise/
Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service
https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI125F4CC5C2F0.SpecialWeatherStatement.125F4CD1F020WI.GRBSPSGRB.6e531d1a6a7226481fdabd9f691e869c
By Patty Wetli, WTTW News
Chicago is drying out Monday after a record rainfall that flooded streets and yards over the weekend.
According to the National Weather Service, Sunday’s precipitation total at O’Hare Airport was 3.11 inches, the most ever recorded on May 17.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/05/record-rainfall-chicago-river-lake-michigan-flooding/
Great Lakes Basin – In a historic agreement, Blue Accounting has partnered with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to better track investments in restoring and protecting Great Lakes coastal wetlands. The Service has agreed to share its Habitat Information Tracking System (HabITS) database for publication in a public platform, substantially increasing the number of coastal wetland projects tracked on www.blueaccounting.org.
With this agreement, Blue Accounting will incorporate the two largest sources of coastal wetland project data in the Great Lakes Basin: the HaBITS database and Great Lakes Restoration Database, which tracks projects funded under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Blue Accounting will soon be able to connect information on the vast majority of U.S. coastal wetland investments in the Great Lakes Basin initiated since 2010.
“The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is committed to collaborative approaches for fish and wildlife conservation across the Great Lakes Basin,” said Charlie Wooley, Regional Director for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Great Lakes Region. “The principles of being collaborative, outcome-driven, data and science-informed, and adaptive are shared between the Service and the Blue Accounting Initiative. We are proud to have supported and participated with Blue Accounting since its inception as a means to join with other agencies to develop shared objectives and track progress toward goals. This agreement will allow for better tracking of the region’s progress toward restoring and protecting critical Great Lakes coastal wetlands.”
“Coastal wetlands protect our communities from floods, provide habitat for fish and wildlife, filter our water, and serve as economic drivers for the Great Lakes states and provinces,” said Sharon M. Jackson, chair of the Great Lakes Commission and deputy general counsel to Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb. “We are excited to partner with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to expand the investments in wetlands that Blue Accounting is tracking, in order to make sure we are best protecting, restoring and utilizing this invaluable resource.”
The Blue Accounting coastal wetland team, led by The Nature Conservancy, works with a regional partnership of state, federal, tribal, nongovernmental and academic organizations to report on investments in Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands. This regional partnership, called the Great Lakes Coastal Assembly, is co-chaired by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and has identified a collective vision and goals for coastal wetlands. This vision and goals act like a roadmap ensuring our collective actions create healthy coastal wetlands supporting fish, wildlife, plants, and people. The USFWS data provided through this agreement will help track investment and progress toward meeting these shared coastal wetland goals.
Through Blue Accounting, key experts and stakeholders track progress toward shared goals for the Great Lakes, helping decision-makers improve how they are protected and restored. The Great Lakes Commission leads Blue Accounting in partnership with dozens of federal, state, provincial, local and private sector organizations. Blue Accounting receives funding support from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, the Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation, the Joyce Foundation, and the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation.
The Great Lakes Commission, led by chair Sharon M. Jackson, Deputy General Counsel for Governor Eric J. Holcomb of Indiana, is an interstate compact agency established under the Great Lakes Basin Compact of 1955. The Commission is authorized by state and U.S. federal law and dedicated to promoting a strong economy, healthy environment and high quality of life for the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Basin and its residents. The Commission consists of governors’ appointees, state legislators, industry and nonprofit leaders and agency officials from eight states and two provinces. Associate membership for Ontario and Québec was established through the signing of a “Declaration of Partnership.” The Commission maintains a formal Observer program involving U.S. and Canadian federal agencies, tribal authorities, binational agencies and other regional interests. The Commission office is in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Learn more at www.glc.org.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/news/data-sharing-051920
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — Clare Nagrant earns her living from tourism, so she’s taken a beating during the coronavirus-imposed shutdown. A few months ago, she was juggling four jobs. Now she’s down to one part-time gig with a distillery that stayed open by adding hand sanitizer to its product line.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/05/ap-coronavirus-covid-19-michigan-traverse-city-tourism/
With the federal government writing trillion-dollar checks to fight COVID-19, support collapsing businesses and feed cash into the economy via stimulus checks, Great Lakes legislators and advocacy groups are seizing on the opportunity to secure federal funding while the money still flows.
Recently the senate committee that oversees water infrastructure projects unanimously approved legislation authorizing $18 billion for projects nationally.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/05/state-federal-budget-shortfalls-asian-carp-toxic-cleanups/
Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2020/05/19/research-delayed-emily-varga/
The marbled crayfish, which reproduces by cloning, has been added to Michigan’s prohibited species list. Read the full story by The Associated Press.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200519-marbled-crayfish-prohibited
Due to intense rainfall and rising water levels, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago reversed the flow of the Chicago River into Lake Michigan at both the Wilmette Pumping Station and downtown’s Controlling Works. Read the full story by WTTW-TV – Chicago, IL.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200519-river-reversal
Aiming to return Minnesota’s river systems back to their original, untamed state, the Department of Natural Resources has for several years now been chipping away at older dams and other obstructions and replacing them with rock arch rapids. Read the full story by the Detroit Lakes Tribune.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200519-dam-removal
A major utility’s plan to close five Indiana coal ash ponds at a power plant along Lake Michigan and move coal ash to a landfill has sparked concerns from environmental activists about how the dust kicked up by that project will be controlled. Read the full story by The Associated Press.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200519-coal-ash-removal
A team of Michigan State University researchers hopes Detroit sewage will hold clues about the trajectory of COVID-19. The group has been sampling sewage as it arrives at a Great Lakes Water Authority water treatment plant. Read the full story by Michigan Radio.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200519-detroit-wastewater
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources says there are more people out fishing this year compared to last year. The increase may be due to the ability to practice social distancing when fishing. Read the full story by the WLAX-TV – La Crosse, WI.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200519-wisconsin-fishing
Routine quarterly testing of municipal water in Portage, Michigan, conducted by the state, turned up a low level of chemical contamination in one of the city’s wells. Read the full story by MLive.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200519-portage-pfas
In Munising, Michigan, Pictured Rocks Cruises’ scenic shoreline tours will kick off on June 15, a little later than usual this summer on account of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the full story by MLive.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200519-pictured-rocks-cruise
The Iron Ore Heritage Trail, a 47-mile, multi-use trail through Marquette County, Michigan, received state and local funding pledges to support restoration efforts. Read the full story by WBUP-TV – Marquette, MI.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200519-heritage-trail
NCEI News Feed
http://www.ncei.noaa.gov/news//news/link-between-heat-and-hurricanes
NCEI News Feed
http://www.ncei.noaa.gov/news/link-between-heat-and-hurricanes
Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service
https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI125F4CC42288.FloodAdvisory.125F4CC5E230WI.GRBFLSGRB.245bcb4d5151dd411b353cb5f9a1d7ce
Fish and Wildlife Service News
Fish and Wildlife Service News
http://www.fws.gov/news/ShowNews.cfm?ref=u.s.-fish-and-wildlife-service-honors-midwest-endangered-species-recovery-&_ID=36583
Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2020/05/19/research-delayed-kandace-griffin/
Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service
https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI125F4CC2D7AC.LakeshoreFloodWarning.125F4CC43480WI.GRBCFWGRB.3f6808462c93760669ff25d8344f2212
Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service
https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI125F4CC2B420.LakeshoreFloodWarning.125F4CC43480WI.GRBCFWGRB.3f6808462c93760669ff25d8344f2212
Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service
https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI125F4CC2B038.FloodWarning.125F4CC43480WI.GRBFLWGRB.7137172b37f67e1dfabf9d5523c269a0
Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service
https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI125F4CB61990.FloodWarning.125F4CC355D8WI.GRBFLSGRB.7137172b37f67e1dfabf9d5523c269a0
This week: Freshwater Future Applauds New Ohio Bills to Protect Water Safety and Affordability + Covid-19 Stimulus Package Should Support Green Water Infrastructure + 3D Mapping of Plastic Pollution in Lake Erie + Sewage Could Help Track Coronavirus + Lake Michigan/Huron Breaks Water Level Record Four Months Running
Partnering with advocates from across the region, Freshwater Future has been working to ensure water at residents’ taps is free from lead and is affordable. This week, an Ohio bill was introduced to move those issues forward. Ohio Representative Erica Crawley introduced legislation that will prevent water shut offs and require development of water affordability programs by utilities.
Covid-19 Stimulus Package Should Support Green Water InfrastructureAs the Covid-19 stimulus package includes funds for green water infrastructure, Philadelphia demonstrates leverage of these investments to support family health and community economy is possible. Emerging from old traditions, the stimulus package should support decentralized practices. Freshwater Future believes to move from the Covid-19 crisis more equitably, we need future stimulus packages to include investments in our urban and rural water infrastructure. 3D Mapping of Plastic Pollution in Lake ErieSome plastic floats and some sinks. According to a recent study by students at Rochester Institute of Technology that looked at how plastic moves, it’s estimated that there is 380 tons of plastic at the bottom of Lake Erie. An expansion of the study to Lake Ontario will consider how plastics move from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario over Niagara Falls. Sewage Could Help Track CoronavirusToledo is participating in a research project to determine if sewage can help track the coronavirus. Studies show that because of how the virus moves through the human body, it can be found in wastewater. The analysis of weekly samples from water treatment plants will hopefully give insight on where and when the next outbreak occurs to better prepare the community. Lake Michigan and Huron Break Water Level Record Four Months RunningLakes Michigan and Huron (considered one connected lake) set a new water level record for the fourth month in a row and is currently three feet higher than the average long-term level. The Army Corps of Engineers says the lake keeps getting deeper. |
Blog – Freshwater Future
https://freshwaterfuture.org/uncategorized/freshwater-weekly-may-18-2020-2/
This week: Trump Administration Sued By States Over Rollbacks On Water Protection + Pipeline Permit Stalled + Illinois Sues Hilco After Implosion In Little Village + Transboundary Plants – Emitting Pollution And Causing Cancer + PFAS Virtual Town Hall for Pellston, Michigan
In response to the Trump Administration’s disregard of the Clean Water Act, 17 states filed a lawsuit. States claim the rollbacks of regulations ignore science and pose devastating risks to our waterways and public health. As a result, regulations default to states to set their own standards, making states with weaker laws more at risk of pollution and water quality degradation.
Last week, we shared that the Canadian energy company Enbridge was proceeding to repair the Line 5 pipeline that spans the Straits of Mackinac and simultaneously working on plans to construct a tunnel. State officials denied the utility tunnel permit for incomplete information. Additional details on the exact size of the tunnel and other specifications were requested by the Michigan Department of Energy, Great Lakes, and Environment.
The Illinois Attorney General is suing Hilco Redevelopment for causing air pollution after the company and its contractors left Little Village residents covered in debris after demolition of a 95-year old smokestack. Residents were exposed to respiratory disease due to compromised air quality. Local leaders contend that the city of Chicago be accused for allowing the project to occur during a time when residents are urged to stay at home.
A proposed ferrochrome plant in Sault Saint Marie, Ontario (commonly referred to as the Soo) has raised concerns about the public health impacts. The plant will make stainless steel from the mineral chromite that is being mined in the region and produces chromium-6 in the smelting process, the toxic chemical of notoriety raised by the environmental activist, Erin Brockovich. This in-depth article investigates the historic industrial pollution from a tannery in the Soo on the US side and the ongoing pollution from the existing steel plant in Ontario. The Soo area has a high rate of cancer and many residents are concerned that the proposed plant will contribute more harmful pollution.
On May 13th, 2020 a virtual live town hall meeting is scheduled to address the PFAS contamination investigation in Pellston. The Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART), will be updating local residents on recent discoveries. Previously, over half of the locations tested for PFAS contamination in the Pellston area indicated elevated PFAS levels. To learn more about MPART’s upcoming virtual meeting, click here.
Blog – Freshwater Future
https://freshwaterfuture.org/uncategorized/freshwater-weekly-may-18-2020/
Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2020/05/18/research-delayed-emily-neuman/
Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service
https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI125F4CB5B5F4.LakeshoreFloodWarning.125F4CC43480WI.GRBCFWGRB.3f6808462c93760669ff25d8344f2212
Condos and cottages aren’t the only victims of high lake levels and erosion. It’s also been a rough 2020 for Illinois Beach State Park, as northeast as you can get in Illinois. Read the full story by WBEZ-Chicago, IL.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200518-erosion
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ decision in early April to suspend out-of-state fishing licenses, coupled with stay-at-home orders, essentially shut down the fishing charter business during what should have been a busy and profitable month. Read the full story by the Sandusky Register.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200518-charter-fishing
