The city of Gladstone, Michigan, recently received an enforcement notice to provide the state with a plan to fix previous sewer and wastewater issues that have occurred when the area received heavy rainfall that the city’s wastewater system was unable to handle. Read the full story by Daily Press.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200513-wastewater
The International Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Board is forecasting that water levels in Lake Ontario will peak between now and the next two weeks. Read the full story by Durham Radio News.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200513-levels
The Flint City Council has approved the construction of a $14.7 million pipeline to supply Flint with clean water if its main transmission line is out of service. Read the full story by MLive.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200513-backup
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a replacement clean water standard, rolling back regulatory standards designed to protect community rivers, creeks, streams and wetlands that provide safe clean drinking water, essential wildlife and fish habitat, and recreational use and enjoyment for many people. Read the full story by MLive
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200513-wotus
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is preparing to hear from the public on Enbridge’s proposal to build an oil pipeline tunnel beneath Michigan’s Straits of Mackinac. Read the full story by The Associated Press.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200513-enbridge
A broad coalition is coming together to seek investment in the Great Lakes region as Congress decides how to divvy up more coronavirus stimulus money. Read the full story by The Toledo Blade.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200513-stimulus
Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service
https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI125F4C686BA0.FrostAdvisory.125F4C68CE10WI.GRBNPWGRB.e20c9829ac3d34860e9631207ca620ff
Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service
https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI125F4C683874.FrostAdvisory.125F4C68CE10WI.GRBNPWGRB.e20c9829ac3d34860e9631207ca620ff
Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2020/05/13/post-covid-19-plans-celebrate-birthday-annoy-the-cat/
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A divided Minnesota Supreme Court said Wednesday the state Department of Natural Resources has the authority to change the name of a popular lake back to its original Dakota name.
The state Court of Appeals ruled in April that the agency overstepped its authority in January 2018 when it changed the name to Bde Maka Ska.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/05/ap-supreme-court-dnr-name-lake-calhoun/
Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service
https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI125F4C67538C.FrostAdvisory.125F4C68CE10WI.GRBNPWGRB.e20c9829ac3d34860e9631207ca620ff
Prioritizing the health and safety of the Great Lakes and the drinking water it provides to over 30 million Americans must be part of federal government investments to recover from the devastating Coronavirus pandemic, wrote nine organizations, representing businesses, tribes, local and state government, and environmental groups, in a letter to ranking members of Congress. The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition, representing hundreds of Great Lakes environmental groups, was a signatory to the letter.
“These are common-sense priorities for ensuring that everyone who calls the Great Lakes home has access to the basic need of clean drinking water,” said Healing Our Waters – Great Lakes Coalition director Laura Rubin. “As Congress considers stimulus measures to help America’s economy recover, it must recognize that investments in the Great Lakes and drinking water infrastructure will yield long-term environmental and public health benefits. We proudly join the groups who are signatories of this letter in urging Congress to support these clean water and Great Lakes priorities without delay.”
In April, the Healing Our Waters – Great Lakes Coalition sent Congress a letter calling for stimulus funds to be used in repairing aging water infrastructure and Great Lakes restoration activities that protect source water, as well as for the prevention of water shut-offs.
The post Coalition Supports Investments in Drinking Water, Great Lakes in Stimulus Bill appeared first on Healing Our Waters Coalition.
Healing Our Waters Coalition
https://healthylakes.org/coalition-supports-investments-in-drinking-water-great-lakes-in-stimulus-bill/
By Walker Orenstein and Gabe Schneider, MinnPost, through the Institute for Nonprofit News network
In late April, former Vice President Joe Biden’s campaign held a virtual event with Minnesota supporters to promote the Democrat’s plans to address climate change and a clean environment.
But while U.S.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/05/joe-biden-minnesota-mining-line-3-pipeline/
Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service
https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI125F4C5A8440.FrostAdvisory.125F4C68CE10WI.GRBNPWGRB.e20c9829ac3d34860e9631207ca620ff
Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2020/05/12/va-nurse-manages-telehealth-calls/
For the time being, the Toledo City Council will not be challenging a federal judge’s ruling on the Lake Erie Bill of Rights. Read the full story by WNWO – TV – Toledo, OH.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200512-lakers
A coalition of cities, business and labor leaders and environmental groups is calling on the Minnesota Legislature to provide at least $300 million to repair aging water infrastructure throughout the state. Read the full story by MPR News.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200512-minnesota-pipeline
A team of Michigan State University researchers hope to make use of an unlikely tool in Michigan’s fight against the new coronavirus: human waste. Read the full story by The Bridge.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200512-corona-wastewater
As construction of the Great Lake Tunnel Project is set to begin in 2021, Earthjustice and Native American Rights Fund attorneys have filed a petition to participate as a party in the Enbridge Line 5 Tunnel Project proceedings. Read the full story by Up North Live.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200512-enbridge
As Flint’s city council considered a possible backup source of drinking water from Lake Huron, some councilmembers expressed concern that the lake may become contaminated. Read the full story by WEYI – TV – Flint, MI.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200512-flint-water
Water levels in the upper St. Lawrence River are close to peaking well below the record levels experienced during the flooding of 2017 and 2019, the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority said on Monday. Read the full story by The Recorder and Times.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200512-stlawrence
With improved weather conditions, sea wall construction has been continuous along the Lake Michigan shoreline for the past month. Read the full story by The Associated Press.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200512-seawall
The water level forecast into summer from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers shows a range of possible outcomes; with heavier than normal precipitation Lake Michigan and Lake Huron could reach the highest level recorded since the late 1800s. Read the full story by MLive.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200512-lake-levels
The $922 million passage now under construction at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, would be large enough to handle the 1,000-foot lakers that carry taconite from Minnesota and Michigan to steelmakers along the lower lakes. Read the full story by Star Tribune.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200512-lakers
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — As New York City confirms more than 1,000 new COVID-19 cases a day, bucolic Essex County four hours north tallied its 32nd case since the outbreak. But the mountainous corner of upstate New York is under the same statewide lockdown rules as the pandemic-besieged city.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/05/ap-coronavirus-new-york-city-upstate-areas-reopen/
GREAT LAKES BASIN – In a letter sent today, organizations representing the Great Lakes states, tribes, binational agencies, state legislators, municipalities, conservation organizations, labor, businesses, and ports joined their voices in urging Congress to include critical Great Lakes investments in legislation to stimulate economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.
“We urge you to invest in the Great Lakes to help our region and nation recover from the devastating coronavirus pandemic,” the letter reads. “Funding can be administered quickly through existing programs and swiftly generate job growth and new economic activity across the eight-state Great Lakes Basin. Environmental improvements, including ensuring safe drinking water for over 40 million people, will accelerate community recovery and revitalize the Great Lakes Basin economy while fueling the national economic recovery.”
Investments would modernize outdated water infrastructure to protect drinking water and public health; help communities respond to high lake levels and climate impacts; strengthen the Great Lakes navigation system; and accelerate funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to implement ready to launch cleanup projects that will spur economic development in coastal communities, while sustaining efforts to block the introduction of Asian carp and implement agricultural conservation practices to prevent harmful algal blooms.
These investments are endorsed by the Great Lakes Commission, Great Lakes Fishery Commission, Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition, Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, Chippewa Ottawa Resource Authority, American Great Lakes Ports Association, Great Lakes Metro Chambers Coalition, Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Legislative Caucus and BlueGreen Alliance. They reflect broader priorities for investing in the Great Lakes as an economic powerhouse and natural treasure that were released by the groups earlier this year.
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/joint-stimulus-051220
What the USGS is Doing
Crews are in the field to keep the USGS’s streamgage network of about 11,300 instruments working properly, perform on-site measurements of flooded rivers, and measure high-water marks as flood waters recede.
In the coming days and weeks, USGS crews will continue to monitor streamgages, make flood measurements in the field to determine how much water is flowing, and provide other data used for flood forecasting and flood-control reservoir management.
Flood Information is Critical to Public Safety
The data from the USGS’s nationwide streamgage network provides vital information to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the National Weather Service, and other federal, state and local agencies, enabling them to make river forecasts, operate flood control structures, and make important emergency management decisions. Frequent measurements are needed during flooding to document possible changes in the stream’s channel, which could affect the river level.
Responding during COVID-19
The response to spring flooding is complicated this year by COVID-19. The USGS is working to provide flood information that is critical to the public safety while also keeping employee safety and well-being a priority.
"Our field crews are working long days to help provide critical streamflow information for flood forecasting," said USGS National Flood Hazard Coordinator Karl Winters. "Despite the challenges associated with COVID-19, our field crews have made nearly 800 streamflow measurements per week over the last six weeks."
USGS water science centers are thoroughly evaluating needs for streamflow measurements and prioritizing streamgages most useful to flood forecasting and management.
Field crew partners are traveling to streamgage sites in separate vehicles, often with single-person crews, wearing appropriate personal protective equipment and practicing social distancing. Overnight trips are limited, so crews are often working longer days to make round-trip visits to sites. Crews are also leveraging the many tools made available to work from home and remotely meet with others when possible.
Despite the recent challenges, USGS crews made more than 20,000 streamflow measurements nationwide between January 1 and April 20, 2020.
Looking Towards the Future
As some states hit by severe weather begin to return to normal, others are preparing for what’s to come or dealing with continued flooding and the dangers that come with it. As snowpack is expected to continue to melt across the West and hurricane season begins on June 1, the USGS will continue to monitor stream conditions and use data collected to prepare for current and future flood events.
For up-to-date info on conditions in your area visit the USGS WaterWatch website. Sign up for high-water alerts at the USGS WaterAlert website.
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USGS News: Region 3: Great Lakes Region
USGS News: Region 3: Great Lakes Region
https://www.usgs.gov/news/usgs-responds-spring-flooding
Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service
https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI125F4C598DC4.SpecialWeatherStatement.125F4C5B1270WI.GRBSPSGRB.3b77a733acfe35fc01f412b80021d336
U.S. Geological Survey field crews are measuring flooding across the country as spring weather is in full swing. Warming temperatures, increased precipitation and snowmelt have caused moderate to major flooding in the upper Midwest, East Coast, Central Plains and the Southeast portions of the country.
Region 3: Great Lakes
http://www.usgs.gov/news/featured-story/usgs-responds-spring-flooding
Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2020/05/12/covid-takeaways-good-nights-sleep-less-planning/
Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service
https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI125F4C57EA3C.FreezeWarning.125F4C598BD0WI.GRBNPWGRB.48d00994005a1fe690af0f9988d0f500
Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service
https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI125F4C4B4840.FreezeWarning.125F4C598BD0WI.GRBNPWGRB.48d00994005a1fe690af0f9988d0f500
Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2020/05/11/chips-candy-runs-over-even-after-covid-19/
In 2021 Navy Pier will be home to Chicago’s newest marina. Navy Pier Marina will be the first marina on Lake Michigan to exclusively offer short term, transient docking facilities with immediate access to The People’s Pier dining, shopping and entertainment. Read the full story by WITI-TV-Milwaukee, WI.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200511-Navy-Pier
May is typically a huge month for hunting and guiding businesses. Coronavrius shut-down restrictions will prevent most of that business from happening this year. Read the full story by Crain’s Detroit Business.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200511-fly-fishing
The walleye are out there, but Lake Erie charter boats not willing to engage in rule-breaking haven’t been; that is scheduled to change in Ohio on Tuesday. Read the full story by the Columbus Dispatch.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200511-Erie-charter
Due to the coronavirus pandemic and concerns for employee safety, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will not collect lake sturgeon or muskellunge eggs this spring. Read the full story by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200511-DNR-stocking
PFAS compounds have been detected in Milwaukee Estuary, which was designated as an Area Of Concern. Thirteen locations in the Milwaukee, Menomonee and Kinnickinnic Rivers, along with the inner and outer harbors, and one location in Lake Michigan, were sampled for 35 different PFAS compounds. Read the full story by the Wisconsin Examiner.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200511-PFAS-milwaukee
The U.S. Navy has awarded a $795 million contract to Marinette, Wisconsin based Fincantieri Marinette Marine Corp. for detail design and construction of its FFG(X) class of guided-missile frigates. Read the full story by the Traverse City Record-Eagle.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200511-Navy-contract
A new Rochester Institute of Technology study estimated that Lake Erie includes 381 metric tons of plastic – more than 50 times greater than the previous estimates at the surface. Read the full story by The Plain Dealer.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200511-plastic
The Ohio Lake Erie Commission recently approved its 2020 Lake Erie Protection & Restoration Plan. The plan reflects the state of Ohio’s strategic priorities for the next two years to protect, preserve, and restore Lake Erie and its watershed. Read the full story by The News-Herald.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200511-Erie-Protection
Lake Michigan and Lake Huron have broken water records as predicted, and the levels are expected to rise further in the coming months. Read the full story by the Associated Press.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200511-water-level
By Frank Jossi, Energy News Network, through the Institute for Nonprofit News network
Armed with her cellphone, Ellen Biales spent an hour last month transmitting video of her St. Paul home to an energy expert who asked questions and dispensed advice.
Biales was among the first Minnesotans to receive a virtual Home Energy Squad visit from the Center for Energy and Environment.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/05/minnesota-covid-19-coronavirus-home-energy-inspections/
The state agency that has to green light Enbridge Energy’s controversial pipeline in a tunnel project in the Straits of Mackinac hit the pause button on the process last week when it told the company it needs additional information.
The new pipeline would replace the 67-year-old existing Line 5 that runs through the bottom of the straits.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/05/permit-michigan-egle-enbridge-line-5/
So many fantastic plants and animals call the Great Lakes their HOMES. In this lesson, you’ll learn the difference between native and invasive species. You’ll learn how invasive species came to the Great Lakes. And you’ll find out what invasive species do to food webs. Then you’ll take a fun quiz to see some examples of native and invasive species.
This activity will take between 30 minutes and an hour.
You’ll need:
Watch the video below to learn about native and invasive species.
Ask your kids: Which Great Lakes plants and animals have we seen at a Great Lake or around our home? Do you think they are native – have they always lived near the Great Lakes? Invasive species were brought to the Great Lakes, many by accident. How are invasive species harmful?
Complete the Great Lakes Creatures Quiz to learn more about some native species that live in the Great Lakes and some invasive species that pose threats to this important ecosystem.
Choose a Great Lakes creature to draw, color or create. With adult permission, create it using modeling clay, paint it on your window, or chalk it on the sidewalk. Write the creature’s name and one thing that makes that species unique or special. If you need ideas for a creature to choose, check out our Great Lakes Creature Cards.
Parents: Take a photo of the creature creation and share it on social media. Tag us in your creation, and we may share it with others!
Want to learn more? Check out these resources!
Find more Great Lakes lessons at H.O.M.E.School.
The post H.O.M.E.School Week 6: Native and Invasive Species appeared first on Alliance for the Great Lakes.
News – Alliance for the Great Lakes
News – Alliance for the Great Lakes
https://greatlakes.org/2020/05/homeschool-native-invasive-species/
Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service
https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI125F4C4A4D14.SpecialWeatherStatement.125F4C4BD030WI.GRBSPSGRB.3b77a733acfe35fc01f412b80021d336
Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2020/05/11/reading-cleaning-replaces-social-media-and-phone-use/
Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service
https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI125F4C3C0538.FreezeWarning.125F4C4A4990WI.GRBNPWGRB.4e107059946e8dc8fdfba709d16f67b0
Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service
https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI125F4C2BD6A4.SpecialWeatherStatement.125F4C390B80WI.GRBSPSGRB.90324354550314ecc9f1f61bf785a0b7
Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service
https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI125F4C2BD6A4.SpecialWeatherStatement.125F4C390B80WI.GRBSPSGRB.c7af4845f2e9eb88e57e1747a63d15f5
