May 27: The Great Lakes Commission (GLC) announced that it will receive $99,740 to fund the Great Lakes Wind Collaborative’s (GLWC) development of Best Practices to Accelerate Wind Power in the Great Lakes Region and Beyond. The Commission was one of 53 U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) wind energy grant recipients announced by Secretary of Energy Steven Chu at the recent WINDPOWER 2009 Conference in Chicago [See WIMS 5/7/09], with Commission staff in attendance. The Commission’s award is one of 11 projects funded in the Great Lakes region. Funded projects totaled $8.5 million nationwide.
Through this project the GLWC, a multi-sector coalition of wind energy stakeholders facilitated by the Great Lakes Commission, will examine the policies and practices that are working best within and beyond the region, which allow wind development yet are protective of the environment and sensitive to community concerns. The GLWC will partner with other regional groups including the Great Lakes Legislative Caucus, the Midwestern Governors Association and the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative to ensure that information developed reaches those best positioned to use that information in developing policy at the state and local level. Additionally, the best practices and policy options developed will be served up publicly on the internet to inform individuals who are interested in wind development in the region.
Access a lengthy release from GLC (click here). Access the GLCWC website for more information (click here). Access a release from DOE with a listing of all grants and links to further information (click here).
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Regional Body & Water Council Conference Call Meetings
May 20: The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Water Resources Regional Body (Regional Body) will meet on Wednesday, June 17, 2009, at 2:00 PM EDT. The conference call meeting, the first of 2009, will be open to the public and will include an opportunity for public comments. An agenda and materials to be discussed will be available at Regional Body in coming weeks. Additionally, the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Council (Water Council) will meet on the same day immediately following the adjournment of the Regional Body, expected at approximately 3:00 PM EDT. The conference call meeting will be open to the public and will include an opportunity for public comments. An agenda and materials to be discussed will be available at the Council of Great Lakes Governors (CGLG) in coming weeks. CGLG serves as Secretariat to the Regional Body and the Council.
The Great Lakes Governors and Premiers created the Regional Body on December 13, 2005, by signing the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Sustainable Water Resources Agreement. The Agreement details how the Great Lakes States, Ontario and Québec will manage and protect the Basin and provide a framework for each State and Province to enact laws for its protection. The Governors and Premiers are working aggressively to put the Agreement into action.
Access the Regional Body meeting information website (click here). Access the Regional Body website for more information (click here). Access the CGLG for additional information (click here).
The Great Lakes Governors and Premiers created the Regional Body on December 13, 2005, by signing the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Sustainable Water Resources Agreement. The Agreement details how the Great Lakes States, Ontario and Québec will manage and protect the Basin and provide a framework for each State and Province to enact laws for its protection. The Governors and Premiers are working aggressively to put the Agreement into action.
Access the Regional Body meeting information website (click here). Access the Regional Body website for more information (click here). Access the CGLG for additional information (click here).
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Groups Urge Congressional Support For Great Lakes Funding
May 14: Local, state, industry and conservation leaders called for the U.S. Congress to act to fund a new Great Lakes restoration and economic recovery initiative, unveiled last week with President Obama's budget [See WIMS 5/11/09]. Groups issuing a joint release included: Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition; Great Lakes Commission; Council of Great Lakes Industries; and the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative.
In announcing his budget last week, President Obama released details of a $475 million Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to address some of the most urgent threats to the Great Lakes, including: $146 million to clean up toxic substances and Areas of Concern; $60 million to prevent or remove aquatic invasive species; $97 million to improve near-shore health and pollution prevention; $105 million for habitat and wildlife protection and restoration; and $65 million to evaluate and monitor progress.
Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition co-chairman Andy Buchsbaum said, "This is a precedent-setting restoration initiative from the president that will give the Great Lakes the medicine they need. Now, we need Congress to fund it." Great Lakes Commission Board Member Sean Logan, director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources said, "This new federal support will match the substantial funding that state and local governments are already investing in the Great Lakes. Protecting and restoring the Great Lakes requires a strong partnership with the federal government. Ohio and our fellow Great Lakes states urge Congress to provide the requested funding."
The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative invests in priorities that track closely with a comprehensive clean-up strategy that has won the endorsement of the eight-state region's mayors, governors, businesses, industry and environmental leaders -- in part because of the growing awareness of the economic benefit of restoring the Lakes. The groups said Great Lakes Senators and Representatives can play an important role in helping fund the initiative in the annual Congressional appropriations process.
Access a release including statements from other supporters (click here).
In announcing his budget last week, President Obama released details of a $475 million Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to address some of the most urgent threats to the Great Lakes, including: $146 million to clean up toxic substances and Areas of Concern; $60 million to prevent or remove aquatic invasive species; $97 million to improve near-shore health and pollution prevention; $105 million for habitat and wildlife protection and restoration; and $65 million to evaluate and monitor progress.
Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition co-chairman Andy Buchsbaum said, "This is a precedent-setting restoration initiative from the president that will give the Great Lakes the medicine they need. Now, we need Congress to fund it." Great Lakes Commission Board Member Sean Logan, director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources said, "This new federal support will match the substantial funding that state and local governments are already investing in the Great Lakes. Protecting and restoring the Great Lakes requires a strong partnership with the federal government. Ohio and our fellow Great Lakes states urge Congress to provide the requested funding."
The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative invests in priorities that track closely with a comprehensive clean-up strategy that has won the endorsement of the eight-state region's mayors, governors, businesses, industry and environmental leaders -- in part because of the growing awareness of the economic benefit of restoring the Lakes. The groups said Great Lakes Senators and Representatives can play an important role in helping fund the initiative in the annual Congressional appropriations process.
Access a release including statements from other supporters (click here).
Monday, May 11, 2009
More Details For $475 Million FY10 Great Lakes Restoration
May 11: Detailed EPA FY10 Budget documents have provided more information on the plans for the FY 2010 $475 million in the proposed Administration budget. As the lead agency for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, U.S. EPA has worked closely with the members of the Interagency Task Force to develop a provisional funding plan for 2010. Some details of the plan may change as EPA works with Federal partners to further refine 2010 activities; the summary below represents the latest plans as of the time this document went to press. Upon receiving the FY2010 appropriation for the Initiative, EPA will determine final funding targets and will develop a final 2010 funding plan, including grant programs, to present to the EPA Administrator. The Administrator, in consultation with the members of the Interagency Task Force, will select the programs and projects for funding and EPA will transfer the funds.
Some major activities proposed include: EPA will issue grants to states and other stakeholders to fund projects in the AOCs to restore beneficial uses. Through the Legacy Act, four to six sediment remediation projects will commence. EPA will award grants to states, tribes, and local governments to collect up to 10 million pounds of e-waste, 10 million pills of unwanted medicines, and 1 million pounds of hazardous waste, including mercury, PCBs, and unused pesticides. EPA will award grants and support contracts to define the extent of mercury and/or PCB contamination in 400 impaired Great Lakes subwatersheds and identify potential sources of mercury and/or PCB pollution in 400 impaired Great Lakes subwatersheds. EPA in cooperation with various federal agencies will establish an early warning system to detect new toxic threats to the Great Lakes utilizing enhanced monitoring programs for Great Lakes fish, birds, mussels, and human biomonitoring, as well as sediments, tributary source loads, and air deposition studies.
Principal actions proposed to prevent new introductions of non-native invasive species in the Great Lakes basin and stop the further spread of invasives in the Great Lakes basin include development of up to six ballast water sampling and treatment systems for use in fresh water ecosystems by supporting the use of laboratory, land-based, and ship-board testing and coordination with the maritime industry. Agencies will develop and begin implementation of coordinated monitoring surveys to detect new invaders in Great Lakes locations that have a high probability of invasion. Additional work will include enhanced education and outreach to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species. Other projects are detailed including: Nearshore Health and Nonpoint Source Pollution; Habitat and Wildlife Protection; Accountability, Monitoring, Evaluation, Communication, and Partnerships.
Access the detailed plans and budget allocation tables in EPA's FY10 Congressional Justification document on Environmental Programs and Plans (click here, beginning p. 113 of 319). Access links to other CJ documents (click here).
Some major activities proposed include: EPA will issue grants to states and other stakeholders to fund projects in the AOCs to restore beneficial uses. Through the Legacy Act, four to six sediment remediation projects will commence. EPA will award grants to states, tribes, and local governments to collect up to 10 million pounds of e-waste, 10 million pills of unwanted medicines, and 1 million pounds of hazardous waste, including mercury, PCBs, and unused pesticides. EPA will award grants and support contracts to define the extent of mercury and/or PCB contamination in 400 impaired Great Lakes subwatersheds and identify potential sources of mercury and/or PCB pollution in 400 impaired Great Lakes subwatersheds. EPA in cooperation with various federal agencies will establish an early warning system to detect new toxic threats to the Great Lakes utilizing enhanced monitoring programs for Great Lakes fish, birds, mussels, and human biomonitoring, as well as sediments, tributary source loads, and air deposition studies.
Principal actions proposed to prevent new introductions of non-native invasive species in the Great Lakes basin and stop the further spread of invasives in the Great Lakes basin include development of up to six ballast water sampling and treatment systems for use in fresh water ecosystems by supporting the use of laboratory, land-based, and ship-board testing and coordination with the maritime industry. Agencies will develop and begin implementation of coordinated monitoring surveys to detect new invaders in Great Lakes locations that have a high probability of invasion. Additional work will include enhanced education and outreach to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species. Other projects are detailed including: Nearshore Health and Nonpoint Source Pollution; Habitat and Wildlife Protection; Accountability, Monitoring, Evaluation, Communication, and Partnerships.
Access the detailed plans and budget allocation tables in EPA's FY10 Congressional Justification document on Environmental Programs and Plans (click here, beginning p. 113 of 319). Access links to other CJ documents (click here).
Friday, May 8, 2009
Groups Applaud FY10 Budget Of $475 Million For Great Lakes
May 7: A number of organization applauded President Obama's $475 million for Great Lakes restoration funding, included within U.S. EPA's FY 2010 proposed budget [See WIMS 5/7/09]. The budget details indicate that the funding, "Accelerates the Restoration of the Great Lakes. The 2010 Budget includes a new $475 million inter-agency initiative to address regional issues that affect the Great Lakes, such as invasive species, non-point source pollution, and contaminated sediment. This initiative will use outcome-oriented performance goals and measures to target the most significant problems and track progress in addressing them. EPA and its Federal partners will coordinate State, tribal, local, and industry actions to protect, maintain, and restore the chemical, biological, and physical integrity of the Great Lakes."
Access the Great Lakes budget details (click here, page 2). Access a release from Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition (click here). Access a release from the Great Lakes Commission (click here). Access a release from Alliance for the Great Lakes (click here).
Access the Great Lakes budget details (click here, page 2). Access a release from Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition (click here). Access a release from the Great Lakes Commission (click here). Access a release from Alliance for the Great Lakes (click here).
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
GBA Disputes IJC St. Clair River Report
May 1: The Georgian Bay Association (GBA) is calling the International Joint Commission (IJC) report on erosion of the St. Clair River and water levels in the Upper Great Lakes "premature and its science incomplete." The draft study -- Impacts on Upper Great Lakes Water Levels: St. Clair River -- was released by the International Upper Great Lakes Study (IUGLS), an arm of the IJC, on May 1, and concluded that “remedial measures not be undertaken at this time.” [See WIMS 5/1/09].
GBA commissioned Baird & Associates, an internationally respected coastal consulting engineering firm, who release a 2004 report that found that decades of dredging in the St. Clair River, shoreline alterations and sand and gravel mining have led to an increased conveyance that draws more water from Lakes Michigan and Huron into the lower Lakes and out to the Atlantic Ocean. While the IUGLS study found that 6 billion more gallons of water are flowing out of Lakes Michigan and Huron per day as compared to 1971, they said it is due to "natural causes," and that no remedial measures need to be taken. The 2004 Baird Report found that the loss is 12 billion gallons per day and increasing.
Roy Schatz, Founding President of the GBA Foundation said, "The changes in the St. Clair River and their effect on water levels have been cited previously following rigorous and public scientific processes -- the new Study Board was meant to examine physical changes and establish the best solutions moving forward. The fact that it completely dismisses such an enormous increase in outflow and recommends that nothing be done about it is very disturbing." Bill Bialkowski, a recently retired engineer and GBA Foundation water levels committee member who has devoted years of volunteer time and expertise to this issue said, "They started with flawed data and they got flawed conclusions. The Study Board needs to move to a higher level of science in order to understand this complex river. It appears that sources were carefully screened to support preconceived conclusions."
Access a release and more information from GBA (click here).
GBA commissioned Baird & Associates, an internationally respected coastal consulting engineering firm, who release a 2004 report that found that decades of dredging in the St. Clair River, shoreline alterations and sand and gravel mining have led to an increased conveyance that draws more water from Lakes Michigan and Huron into the lower Lakes and out to the Atlantic Ocean. While the IUGLS study found that 6 billion more gallons of water are flowing out of Lakes Michigan and Huron per day as compared to 1971, they said it is due to "natural causes," and that no remedial measures need to be taken. The 2004 Baird Report found that the loss is 12 billion gallons per day and increasing.
Roy Schatz, Founding President of the GBA Foundation said, "The changes in the St. Clair River and their effect on water levels have been cited previously following rigorous and public scientific processes -- the new Study Board was meant to examine physical changes and establish the best solutions moving forward. The fact that it completely dismisses such an enormous increase in outflow and recommends that nothing be done about it is very disturbing." Bill Bialkowski, a recently retired engineer and GBA Foundation water levels committee member who has devoted years of volunteer time and expertise to this issue said, "They started with flawed data and they got flawed conclusions. The Study Board needs to move to a higher level of science in order to understand this complex river. It appears that sources were carefully screened to support preconceived conclusions."
Access a release and more information from GBA (click here).
Friday, May 1, 2009
No Action Necessary Now For St. Clair River Erosion
May 1: The International Upper Great Lakes Study (IUGLS) issued a draft report nearly one year ahead of its original schedule, indicating that erosion of the St. Clair River is not ongoing and recommended that “remedial measures not be undertaken at this time.” The report -- Impacts on Upper Great Lakes Water Levels: St. Clair River -- is the product of intense effort by a 10 member binational Study Board of experts and public members, who commissioned 42 research projects that engaged over 100 scientists. Fourteen public meetings have been scheduled throughout the region where residents can learn about the findings and provide comments.
The Study Board was appointed by the International Joint Commission (IJC) to determine whether the conveyance capacity of the St. Clair River has changed, to assess if there is ongoing erosion in the river bed and to identify other factors that may be affecting water levels. Specifically, the independent panel examined the change in head drop (or difference in water levels) between Lake Huron and Lake Erie, estimating the decline to be 23 centimeters (cm) or 9 inches (in) between 1962 and 2006. After an exhaustive effort to collect and verify historical data, conduct new research and analyze results, three key factors were identified as contributing to the decline: A change in the conveyance of the St. Clair River; Changes in climatic patterns; and Glacial isostatic adjustment.
The report emphasized that, “Climate is the main driver of the lake level relationships between lakes and over time. There has been a persistent decline in net total supply of water to Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron over the past two decades that has resulted in declining lake levels and a change in the relationship to Lake Erie.” The Study Board also recommended that, “The need for mitigative measures in the St. Clair River continues to be examined as part of the continuing Study that will include a comprehensive assessment of the future effects of climate change on water supplies in the upper Great Lakes basin on Lake Superior regulation.”
Access a release from the IUGLS (click here). Access an overview and summary of the report (click here). Access links to the complete report, upcoming public meetings, commenting procedures and more (click here).
The Study Board was appointed by the International Joint Commission (IJC) to determine whether the conveyance capacity of the St. Clair River has changed, to assess if there is ongoing erosion in the river bed and to identify other factors that may be affecting water levels. Specifically, the independent panel examined the change in head drop (or difference in water levels) between Lake Huron and Lake Erie, estimating the decline to be 23 centimeters (cm) or 9 inches (in) between 1962 and 2006. After an exhaustive effort to collect and verify historical data, conduct new research and analyze results, three key factors were identified as contributing to the decline: A change in the conveyance of the St. Clair River; Changes in climatic patterns; and Glacial isostatic adjustment.
The report emphasized that, “Climate is the main driver of the lake level relationships between lakes and over time. There has been a persistent decline in net total supply of water to Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron over the past two decades that has resulted in declining lake levels and a change in the relationship to Lake Erie.” The Study Board also recommended that, “The need for mitigative measures in the St. Clair River continues to be examined as part of the continuing Study that will include a comprehensive assessment of the future effects of climate change on water supplies in the upper Great Lakes basin on Lake Superior regulation.”
Access a release from the IUGLS (click here). Access an overview and summary of the report (click here). Access links to the complete report, upcoming public meetings, commenting procedures and more (click here).
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