Dec 11: Congressmen Rahm Emanuel (D-IL), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Vern Ehlers (R-MI) and Dan Lipinski (D-IL) joined environmental leaders of the Healing Our Waters®-Great Lakes Coalition to call on all Republican and Democratic presidential candidates to sign a candidate pledge to protect and restore the Great Lakes. The pledge, which was sent to all presidential candidates, requests that the next president: (1) appoint a cabinet-level official to oversee and lead the implementation of a recently-finalized Great Lakes Collaboration Restoration Strategy, (2) prepare an interdepartmental Great Lakes restoration budget for their administration -- if elected -- to allow the public to gauge progress, and (3) fund the implementation of the Great Lakes Restoration Collaboration Strategy to ensure all of the identified activities have been fully funded.
Congressman Kirk is a co-chair of the Congressional Great Lakes Task Force and an original co-sponsor of the Great Lakes Collaboration Implementation Act (H.R. 1350). Congressman Emanuel co-authored with Congressman Ehlers the first such bills as early as 2003. Congressman Lipinski is also a co-sponsor of H.R. 1350. The pledge letter sent to all candidates and signed by the four members of Congress begins, "As you work to craft your presidential platform, we, as elected officials encourage you to adopt comprehensive Great Lakes restoration as a key element of your campaign. One of the clearest ways to demonstrate your support is to sign the attached pledge so we know that Great Lakes restoration will be a priority of your administration." The letter concludes, "We are serious about ensuring that this plan gets implemented. After years of stop and start restoration efforts, the time has come for a full commitment to restore the Great Lakes. Investing in this valuable resource now will save us from having to later spend many times more. Just as it is important for any administration to protect the Everglades, Grand Canyon or Yellowstone, it is crucial that the next Administration commit to Great Lakes restoration for generations to come. We strongly urge you to sign the following pledge to demonstrate your commitment to Great Lakes protection and restoration."
Access a posted release including the letter and pledge (click here). Access legislative details for H.R.1350 of 2007 (click here). Access the Access the WIMS new Great Lakes Environment Blog for additional information (click here).
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
State Of The Strait - Status and Trends Of Key Indicators 2007
Dec 4: This report, State of the Strait - Status and Trends of Key Indicators, 2007, is based on the Detroit River-Western Lake Erie Indicator Project, a three-year U.S.-Canada effort to compile and summarize long-term trend data, and the 2006 State of the Strait Conference held in Flat Rock, Michigan. An indicator is a measurable feature that provides useful information on ecosystem status, quality or trends and the factors that affect them. Examples of indicators used in this report include contaminants in fish, coastal wetland loss, reproductive success of threatened and endangered species, urban sprawl, land use changes, pollutant emissions, and many others. Indicator reporting clearly communicates ecosystem trends to policy makers and managers to aid in decision-making.
Indicators in the report are placed into three different categories to illustrate causal relationships: pressure, state, and response. Pressure indicators describe the direct and indirect pressures, including human activities that impact the environment. State indicators describe the physical, chemical, and biological condition of the natural world and human health and welfare. Response indicators describe societal actions in policy or behavior undertaken to improve and protect the environment. Policy-makers and decision-makers at all levels need timely, reliable, and relevant information on indicators for management purposes. Indicators measure progress toward management goals and objectives. From a management perspective, particular emphasis needs to be placed on quantifying targets and endpoints for management programs.
The purpose of the project was to: compile and interpret long-term data bases for ecosystem indicators from the Detroit River-Western Lake Erie basin; translate the information into understandable terms for policy-makers and managers; and make these indicator data and trends readily available.
Key sponsors of the 2006 State of the Strait Conference and this report include: Canadian Consulate; CDM; Detroit Water and Sewerage Department; DTE Energy; Environment Canada; Environmental Management Association; Essex Region Conservation Authority; Friends of the Detroit River; Great Lakes Fishery Trust; International Joint Commission; International Wildlife Refuge Alliance; Metropolitan Affairs Coalition; Michigan Sea Grant; University of Michigan-Dearborn; University of Windsor; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Access a posted announcement on the report (click here). Access the website for the complete 327-page report for complete information including links to the full report, individual sections and related information (click here). Access a 3-page executive summary (click here). Access the related Great Lakes Environmental Indicator Project website for additional information (click here). Access the WIMS new Great Lakes Environment Blog for additional information (click here).
Indicators in the report are placed into three different categories to illustrate causal relationships: pressure, state, and response. Pressure indicators describe the direct and indirect pressures, including human activities that impact the environment. State indicators describe the physical, chemical, and biological condition of the natural world and human health and welfare. Response indicators describe societal actions in policy or behavior undertaken to improve and protect the environment. Policy-makers and decision-makers at all levels need timely, reliable, and relevant information on indicators for management purposes. Indicators measure progress toward management goals and objectives. From a management perspective, particular emphasis needs to be placed on quantifying targets and endpoints for management programs.
The purpose of the project was to: compile and interpret long-term data bases for ecosystem indicators from the Detroit River-Western Lake Erie basin; translate the information into understandable terms for policy-makers and managers; and make these indicator data and trends readily available.
Key sponsors of the 2006 State of the Strait Conference and this report include: Canadian Consulate; CDM; Detroit Water and Sewerage Department; DTE Energy; Environment Canada; Environmental Management Association; Essex Region Conservation Authority; Friends of the Detroit River; Great Lakes Fishery Trust; International Joint Commission; International Wildlife Refuge Alliance; Metropolitan Affairs Coalition; Michigan Sea Grant; University of Michigan-Dearborn; University of Windsor; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Access a posted announcement on the report (click here). Access the website for the complete 327-page report for complete information including links to the full report, individual sections and related information (click here). Access a 3-page executive summary (click here). Access the related Great Lakes Environmental Indicator Project website for additional information (click here). Access the WIMS new Great Lakes Environment Blog for additional information (click here).
Monday, December 3, 2007
Binational Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Infrastructure Study
Nov 26: The governments of Canada and the United States released the binational Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway (GLSLS) Study. The GLSLS Study was conducted to evaluate the infrastructure needs of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway system, specifically the engineering, economic and environmental implications of those needs as they pertain to commercial navigation. The study assesses the long-term maintenance and capital requirements to ensure the continuing viability of the system as a safe, efficient, reliable and sustainable component of North America’s transportation infrastructure.
Seven Canadian and United States departments and agencies were involved in the study: Transport Canada, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Canadian St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation, the U.S. Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, Environment Canada and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Interested parties are invited to provide feedback on the final report, which will be provided to the above noted organizations for their consideration. Written feedback received by January 18, 2008 will be posted to the study website.
The report concludes in part that, "Forward planning must ensure that GLSLS capacity remains fluid and responsive within a stable policy framework and investment climate that can support strategic and timely investment in system capacity, while improving service levels and reliability. Furthermore, it must do so in a manner that satisfies concerns about environmental stewardship and that raises challenges for the shipping industry... Participants and stakeholders will succeed if they are able to integrate the three perspectives of engineering, economics, and the environment. Only if a balance is struck among these three differing sets of imperatives will it be possible to maintain truly sustainable commercial navigation in the Great Lakes basin and St. Lawrence River, and leave a lasting positive legacy to future generations."
Access the report website for an announcement and links to related information (click here). Access the complete 128-page report (click here). Access the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System website for additional information (click here). Access a Milwaukee Journal article on the study (click here); and additional media reports (click here).
Seven Canadian and United States departments and agencies were involved in the study: Transport Canada, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Canadian St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation, the U.S. Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, Environment Canada and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Interested parties are invited to provide feedback on the final report, which will be provided to the above noted organizations for their consideration. Written feedback received by January 18, 2008 will be posted to the study website.
The report concludes in part that, "Forward planning must ensure that GLSLS capacity remains fluid and responsive within a stable policy framework and investment climate that can support strategic and timely investment in system capacity, while improving service levels and reliability. Furthermore, it must do so in a manner that satisfies concerns about environmental stewardship and that raises challenges for the shipping industry... Participants and stakeholders will succeed if they are able to integrate the three perspectives of engineering, economics, and the environment. Only if a balance is struck among these three differing sets of imperatives will it be possible to maintain truly sustainable commercial navigation in the Great Lakes basin and St. Lawrence River, and leave a lasting positive legacy to future generations."
Access the report website for an announcement and links to related information (click here). Access the complete 128-page report (click here). Access the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System website for additional information (click here). Access a Milwaukee Journal article on the study (click here); and additional media reports (click here).
Friday, November 30, 2007
EPA Notifies BP Whiting Refinery Of Major Clean Air Violations
Nov 29: U.S. EPA Region 5 notified BP Products North America Inc. of alleged violations of multiple Clean Air Act (CAA) requirements at its Whiting, Indiana refinery.
EPA alleged that the BP Whiting refinery, located at 2815 Indianapolis Boulevard: (1) Failed to obtain a permit when it made major modifications to its fluidized catalytic cracking unit. The unpermitted modification caused significant increases of nitrogen oxide (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), particulate matter (PM10), and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions. (2) Violated New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) by modifying flares without complying with requirements, exceeding SO2 emission limits, and failing to monitor emissions from several sources. The NSPS are national emission standards for new and modified industrial facilities that contribute significantly to air pollution. (3) Failed to conduct timely performance tests of hydrogen chloride emissions from its catalytic reforming units. BP has 10 days to request a conference to discuss the violations.
In late summer, following an intense public controversy with Congressional and EPA intervention regarding increased wastewater discharges to Lake Michigan, BP America announced that the same Whiting refinery would meet the lower discharge limits contained in the refinery's previous wastewater treatment permit [See WIMS 9/04/07]. BP had obtained regulatory approval to increase average daily discharge limits for ammonia from 1,030 to 1,584 pounds per day and for total suspended solids (TSS) from 3646 to 4925 pounds per day to modernize the Whiting refinery and greatly increase the amount of Canadian heavy crude it can process.
At that time, BP America Chairman and President Bob Malone issued a release saying, "We have participated in an open and transparent permitting process with the State of Indiana and obtained a valid permit that meets all regulatory standards and is protective of water quality and human health. Even so, ongoing regional opposition to any increase in discharge permit limits for Lake Michigan creates an unacceptable level of business risk for this $3.8 billion investment."
Access a release on EPA's CAA allegations (click here). Access a detailed Enforcement & Compliance history report on this facility (click here).
EPA alleged that the BP Whiting refinery, located at 2815 Indianapolis Boulevard: (1) Failed to obtain a permit when it made major modifications to its fluidized catalytic cracking unit. The unpermitted modification caused significant increases of nitrogen oxide (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), particulate matter (PM10), and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions. (2) Violated New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) by modifying flares without complying with requirements, exceeding SO2 emission limits, and failing to monitor emissions from several sources. The NSPS are national emission standards for new and modified industrial facilities that contribute significantly to air pollution. (3) Failed to conduct timely performance tests of hydrogen chloride emissions from its catalytic reforming units. BP has 10 days to request a conference to discuss the violations.
In late summer, following an intense public controversy with Congressional and EPA intervention regarding increased wastewater discharges to Lake Michigan, BP America announced that the same Whiting refinery would meet the lower discharge limits contained in the refinery's previous wastewater treatment permit [See WIMS 9/04/07]. BP had obtained regulatory approval to increase average daily discharge limits for ammonia from 1,030 to 1,584 pounds per day and for total suspended solids (TSS) from 3646 to 4925 pounds per day to modernize the Whiting refinery and greatly increase the amount of Canadian heavy crude it can process.
At that time, BP America Chairman and President Bob Malone issued a release saying, "We have participated in an open and transparent permitting process with the State of Indiana and obtained a valid permit that meets all regulatory standards and is protective of water quality and human health. Even so, ongoing regional opposition to any increase in discharge permit limits for Lake Michigan creates an unacceptable level of business risk for this $3.8 billion investment."
Access a release on EPA's CAA allegations (click here). Access a detailed Enforcement & Compliance history report on this facility (click here).
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
NWF Report On Climate Change and Great Lakes Water Resources
Nov 27: A new report by the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) indicates that global warming’s impacts on the Great Lakes will likely be exacerbated unless inadequate regional water laws are strengthened to prevent water diversion. The new report, Climate Change and Great Lakes Water Resources, warns that a warming climate is likely to reduce Great Lakes water supply while increasing water demand within the region. Further, as other regions suffer from water shortages and increased demand for water resources, they may look to divert Great Lakes water "to quench their thirst." Against this backdrop, the report concludes that the existing legal framework will not be enough to protect the Great Lakes.
Report co-author Noah Hall, an environmental law professor at Wayne State University Law School in Detroit said, “The Great Lakes are facing the one-two punch of global warming and water diversion. We have known for many years that existing laws are inadequate to protect the Great Lakes from diversions and overuse. Now we know that climate change is certain to put additional stress and pressure on the Great Lakes. Prompt passage of the Great Lakes Compact will go a long way toward mitigating the impacts of global warming while safeguarding a resource that millions of people depend on for their economy and way of life.”
Co-author Bret Stuntz, an attorney and geologist in Michigan said, “This report is a wakeup call. The threats are severe, and the solution is clear: The Great Lakes Compact is perfect for managing 20 percent of the world’s fresh surface water during a time of change in the region and across the United States.” NWF said the report comes as water shortages around the United States are increasing due to both insufficient water conservation policy and drought conditions, and as the specter of water diversion out of the Great Lakes has propelled the issue into the 2008 Presidential campaign.
Molly Flanagan, water program manager for the National Wildlife Federation’s Great Lakes office said, “Battles over water are not science fiction. They are occurring now in the United States and around the globe and they will only get worse. The Great Lakes region has an opportunity to be a leader in managing and protecting our water resources and to set an example for the rest of the country. We cannot afford to sit back and allow others to decide the fate of our Lakes. Now is the time to close the door on future water diversions and put our house in order by passing the Great Lakes Compact.”
The report synthesizes the latest peer-reviewed science on global warming impacts to the Great Lakes and finds that warming temperatures will likely lower lake levels, help invasive species take hold, and lead to more sewer overflows. It examines current legal framework for protecting the Great Lakes and concludes that they are uniformly inadequate. The report recommends enactment of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact (Great Lakes Compact), as an important step in improving Great Lakes water resource policy to meet the challenge of climate change. Once approved by each of the eight Great Lakes state legislatures and consented to by the U.S. Congress, the Great Lakes Compact will become legally binding and provide for joint management and increased protections for the Great Lakes.
Thus far, Minnesota and Illinois have adopted the Compact. The New York Assembly and Senate have passed the Compact and the legislation awaits concurrence from the Assembly which may happen yet this year. NWF says that legislation is moving forward in Indiana, Pennsylvania and Michigan and positive momentum for the Compact is building in each of the Great Lakes states.
Access a release from NWF that includes quotes from various Great Lakes state conservation groups (click here). Access the complete 44-page report (click here). Access the Council of Great Lakes Governors website on Compact Implementation Status for further details (click here). Access the WIMS new Great Lakes Environment Blog for additional information (click here).
Report co-author Noah Hall, an environmental law professor at Wayne State University Law School in Detroit said, “The Great Lakes are facing the one-two punch of global warming and water diversion. We have known for many years that existing laws are inadequate to protect the Great Lakes from diversions and overuse. Now we know that climate change is certain to put additional stress and pressure on the Great Lakes. Prompt passage of the Great Lakes Compact will go a long way toward mitigating the impacts of global warming while safeguarding a resource that millions of people depend on for their economy and way of life.”
Co-author Bret Stuntz, an attorney and geologist in Michigan said, “This report is a wakeup call. The threats are severe, and the solution is clear: The Great Lakes Compact is perfect for managing 20 percent of the world’s fresh surface water during a time of change in the region and across the United States.” NWF said the report comes as water shortages around the United States are increasing due to both insufficient water conservation policy and drought conditions, and as the specter of water diversion out of the Great Lakes has propelled the issue into the 2008 Presidential campaign.
Molly Flanagan, water program manager for the National Wildlife Federation’s Great Lakes office said, “Battles over water are not science fiction. They are occurring now in the United States and around the globe and they will only get worse. The Great Lakes region has an opportunity to be a leader in managing and protecting our water resources and to set an example for the rest of the country. We cannot afford to sit back and allow others to decide the fate of our Lakes. Now is the time to close the door on future water diversions and put our house in order by passing the Great Lakes Compact.”
The report synthesizes the latest peer-reviewed science on global warming impacts to the Great Lakes and finds that warming temperatures will likely lower lake levels, help invasive species take hold, and lead to more sewer overflows. It examines current legal framework for protecting the Great Lakes and concludes that they are uniformly inadequate. The report recommends enactment of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact (Great Lakes Compact), as an important step in improving Great Lakes water resource policy to meet the challenge of climate change. Once approved by each of the eight Great Lakes state legislatures and consented to by the U.S. Congress, the Great Lakes Compact will become legally binding and provide for joint management and increased protections for the Great Lakes.
Thus far, Minnesota and Illinois have adopted the Compact. The New York Assembly and Senate have passed the Compact and the legislation awaits concurrence from the Assembly which may happen yet this year. NWF says that legislation is moving forward in Indiana, Pennsylvania and Michigan and positive momentum for the Compact is building in each of the Great Lakes states.
Access a release from NWF that includes quotes from various Great Lakes state conservation groups (click here). Access the complete 44-page report (click here). Access the Council of Great Lakes Governors website on Compact Implementation Status for further details (click here). Access the WIMS new Great Lakes Environment Blog for additional information (click here).
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Great Lakes Commission Advisor Newsletter Available
Nov 9: The current issue of the Advisor, the Great Lakes Commission newsletter, is now available online. Highlights of the current issue include: What's causing low levels on the Upper Lakes?; Recommitting to the GLRC; 2007 Annual Meeting coverage; Exploring new strategies for maintaining coastal infrastructure; and Perspectives: Making the Great Lakes a national priority.
Access the latest Advisor Newsletter (click here). Access links to previous issues (click here).
Access the latest Advisor Newsletter (click here). Access links to previous issues (click here).
Hearing On U.S. Steel NPDES Permit Set For December 11
Nov 9: U.S. EPA Region 5 announced that it will hold a public hearing on December 11 at Indiana University Northwest on the draft wastewater permit for U.S. Steel Corp. Gary Works developed by Indiana Department of Environmental Management [See WIMS 11/2/007]. EPA Regional Administrator Mary Gade will chair the hearing. The purpose of the hearing is to listen to comments about EPA's objections to the draft permit. Comments will also be accepted on aspects of the draft permit not addressed by the objections. Written and oral comments will be accepted following a brief presentation by EPA. Comments may also be submitted in writing between November 9 and December 28, 2007.
The hearing will take place at Indiana University Northwest, Savannah Auditorium, 3400 Broadway Ave., Gary, from 3 to 5 PM, and 6 to 8:30 PM. Advertisements announcing the hearing will be published November. 9 in the Gary Post-Tribune, Northwest Indiana Times, Chicago Sun-Times and St. Joseph, Mich., Herald Palladium newspapers. The permit is for the steel mill to discharge into Lake Michigan, via the Grand Calumet River and Stockton Pond. The facility is the largest fully integrated steel mill in the U.S.
Access a release from EPA with details on submitting comments (click here). Access more information about the hearing, the draft permit and EPA's objections (click here). Access extensive information from IDEM on the permit (click here).
The hearing will take place at Indiana University Northwest, Savannah Auditorium, 3400 Broadway Ave., Gary, from 3 to 5 PM, and 6 to 8:30 PM. Advertisements announcing the hearing will be published November. 9 in the Gary Post-Tribune, Northwest Indiana Times, Chicago Sun-Times and St. Joseph, Mich., Herald Palladium newspapers. The permit is for the steel mill to discharge into Lake Michigan, via the Grand Calumet River and Stockton Pond. The facility is the largest fully integrated steel mill in the U.S.
Access a release from EPA with details on submitting comments (click here). Access more information about the hearing, the draft permit and EPA's objections (click here). Access extensive information from IDEM on the permit (click here).
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