Jun 25: The President's 2010 Budget provides $475 million in EPA's budget for a new U.S. EPA-led, interagency Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), is now making it way through Congress. The Initiative will target the most significant problems in the region, including invasive aquatic species, non-point source pollution, and contaminated sediment. Detailed EPA FY10 Budget documents, released in May, provided significant information on the plans for the FY 2010 $475 million in the proposed Administration budget [See WIMS 5/11/09]; however, the Initiative recently posted an additional 28-page document entitled, 2010 Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Summary of Proposed Programs and Projects Sorted by Focus Area.
According to the document, to provide additional transparency regarding the Initiative, the Interagency Task Force has developed the document to provide a greater level of detail regarding the programs and projects proposed to be funded through the GLRI. The report provides summaries of each of the programs and projects proposed to be funded through the Initiative, if it is funded at the proposed level of $475 million. The summaries are organized by Focus Area and the Department or Agency that will lead the effort described.
Access the new document (click here). Access the GLRI website for links to all documents and related information (click here).
Monday, June 29, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Groups Outline Principles For A Sustainable St. Lawrence Seaway
Jun 25: To mark the 50th anniversary of the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway (June 26, 1959), over 50 public interest groups from across the region have issued a report and are outlining seven principles to guide an environmentally sustainable future for shipping on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River. Jennifer Nalbone, director of Navigation and Invasive Species at Great Lakes United and lead author of the report said, “The opening of the Seaway took a devastating toll on the health of the Great Lakes ecosystem. If the shipping industry wants to be truly sustainable it needs to rethink how it operates on the Great Lakes. These seven principles provide the goal posts by which to measure that future.”
The report, A Better Seaway: Seven Principles to Guide Sustainable Shipping on The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River, outlines the principles to address a broad range of environmental impacts, from invasive species to ice-breaking, to air emissions. While international vessels have been a focal point for many of the environmental impacts associated with shipping on the Great Lakes, particularly invasive species, the principles also address domestic operations.
The seven principles to guide a better Seaway are: Ships must not introduce or spread aquatic invasive species; Climate change is a real threat, and proactive steps must be taken to meet this challenge head on; Unnecessary and costly system expansion proposals must be abandoned; Air emissions should be cleaned up for shipping to truly be the cleanest mode of transportation in regards to air pollution; Work towards the elimination of all pollutants into the Great Lakes; Minimize ice-breaking, especially in sensitive areas; and Citizen engagement and industry transparency should become the norm in Seaway governance.
The report indicates that the University of Notre Dame estimates that the species that gained access to the region through the Seaway cost citizens, businesses, and cities in the eight Great Lakes states alone at least $200 million per year in damage to the commercial and recreational fishery, wildlife watching and water infrastructure. While exact economic data does not exist for the Great Lakes region in Canada, similar damages can be expected.
Access a release from the groups (click here). Access the Better Seaway website for links to the report, additional resources and information (click here). Access a list of the groups (click here).
The report, A Better Seaway: Seven Principles to Guide Sustainable Shipping on The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River, outlines the principles to address a broad range of environmental impacts, from invasive species to ice-breaking, to air emissions. While international vessels have been a focal point for many of the environmental impacts associated with shipping on the Great Lakes, particularly invasive species, the principles also address domestic operations.
The seven principles to guide a better Seaway are: Ships must not introduce or spread aquatic invasive species; Climate change is a real threat, and proactive steps must be taken to meet this challenge head on; Unnecessary and costly system expansion proposals must be abandoned; Air emissions should be cleaned up for shipping to truly be the cleanest mode of transportation in regards to air pollution; Work towards the elimination of all pollutants into the Great Lakes; Minimize ice-breaking, especially in sensitive areas; and Citizen engagement and industry transparency should become the norm in Seaway governance.
The report indicates that the University of Notre Dame estimates that the species that gained access to the region through the Seaway cost citizens, businesses, and cities in the eight Great Lakes states alone at least $200 million per year in damage to the commercial and recreational fishery, wildlife watching and water infrastructure. While exact economic data does not exist for the Great Lakes region in Canada, similar damages can be expected.
Access a release from the groups (click here). Access the Better Seaway website for links to the report, additional resources and information (click here). Access a list of the groups (click here).
Friday, June 19, 2009
State Of The Great Lakes 2009 Highlights Report
Jun 19: U.S. EPA and Environment Canada have released, The State of the Great Lakes 2009 Highlights, report. The Highlights report is based on environmental indicator reports and information on the nearshore that was prepared for the State of the Lakes Ecosystem Conference (SOLEC) in Niagara Falls, Ontario, October 22 23, 2008. Many experts on various components of the Great Lakes basin ecosystem contributed to the process. Data sources and contact information for each indicator are included in the technical report, State of the Great Lakes 2009. For the nearshore components, similar information can be found in the report Nearshore Areas of the Great Lakes 2009.
This assessment is in accordance with the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. Indicator reports are supported by scientific information and, to the extent feasible, assessed by Great Lakes experts from Canada and the United States, along with a review of scientific papers and use of best professional judgment. Indicators are organized into nine categories: Coastal Zones and Aquatic Habitats (combined in this report), Invasive Species, Contamination, Human Health, Biotic Communities, Resource Utilization, Land Use-Land Cover, and Climate Change.
Overall assessments and management challenges were prepared for each category to the extent that indicator information was available. The State of the Great Lakes 2009 Highlights report is derived from a more detailed State of the Great Lakes 2009 report.
Access the Highlights report (click here). Access additional SOLEC information, previous reports and other publications (click here). Access EPA's SOLEC website for additional information (click here).
This assessment is in accordance with the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. Indicator reports are supported by scientific information and, to the extent feasible, assessed by Great Lakes experts from Canada and the United States, along with a review of scientific papers and use of best professional judgment. Indicators are organized into nine categories: Coastal Zones and Aquatic Habitats (combined in this report), Invasive Species, Contamination, Human Health, Biotic Communities, Resource Utilization, Land Use-Land Cover, and Climate Change.
Overall assessments and management challenges were prepared for each category to the extent that indicator information was available. The State of the Great Lakes 2009 Highlights report is derived from a more detailed State of the Great Lakes 2009 report.
Access the Highlights report (click here). Access additional SOLEC information, previous reports and other publications (click here). Access EPA's SOLEC website for additional information (click here).
Monday, June 15, 2009
U.S. & Canada To Update Great Lakes Agreement
Jun 13: At a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Boundary Waters Treaty between Canada and the U.S. in Niagra Falls, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced the two countries have agreed to update the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. She said we have "to update it to reflect new knowledge, new technology, and, unfortunately, new threats."
She said, "The Agreement was last amended in 1987 and since then, new invasive species have appeared in our lakes, new worrisome chemicals have emerged from our industrial processes, our knowledge of the ecology of the region and how to protect it has grown considerably. In its current form, the Great Lakes Agreement does not sufficiently address the needs of our shared ecosystem. So I’m pleased to announce that Canada and the United States have agreed to update the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. We look forward to working closely with state, provincial, and local governments throughout Canada, as well as other stakeholders, in the coming months to produce an agreement that reflects our best knowledge and our unshakable commitment to preserving this vital natural resource.
"Now, as we work together on this, we must also strengthen our response to other environmental threats, especially climate change, one of the most urgent problems facing our world which endangers our world’s water sources, the safety of coastal regions, the future of agriculture and health, and the stability of communities everywhere. It is a paramount threat, and it demands effective and bold action, which can only be achieved through partnership. . ."
Great Lakes United applauded the announcement. John Jackson, Director of Clean Production and Toxics at Great Lakes United said, “Citizens and organizations from across the region have been calling on the Canadian and United States governments to truly commit to the binational protection of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River. With this announcement I’m more optimistic than ever that our governments will reinvigorate their dedication to shared responsibility and stewardship over these vital waters. Any renegotiation must involve the public, and it must build a framework for addressing the issues that the Great Lakes will face over the coming years and decades. Making the announcement is the easy part. The real work has only just begun.”
Access the full text of Secretary Clinton's comments (click here). Access the press conference Q&A text (click here). Access a release from GLU (click here). Access a report on Great Lakes Governance from the Centre for Engineering and Public Policy at McMaster University (click here).
She said, "The Agreement was last amended in 1987 and since then, new invasive species have appeared in our lakes, new worrisome chemicals have emerged from our industrial processes, our knowledge of the ecology of the region and how to protect it has grown considerably. In its current form, the Great Lakes Agreement does not sufficiently address the needs of our shared ecosystem. So I’m pleased to announce that Canada and the United States have agreed to update the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. We look forward to working closely with state, provincial, and local governments throughout Canada, as well as other stakeholders, in the coming months to produce an agreement that reflects our best knowledge and our unshakable commitment to preserving this vital natural resource.
"Now, as we work together on this, we must also strengthen our response to other environmental threats, especially climate change, one of the most urgent problems facing our world which endangers our world’s water sources, the safety of coastal regions, the future of agriculture and health, and the stability of communities everywhere. It is a paramount threat, and it demands effective and bold action, which can only be achieved through partnership. . ."
Great Lakes United applauded the announcement. John Jackson, Director of Clean Production and Toxics at Great Lakes United said, “Citizens and organizations from across the region have been calling on the Canadian and United States governments to truly commit to the binational protection of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River. With this announcement I’m more optimistic than ever that our governments will reinvigorate their dedication to shared responsibility and stewardship over these vital waters. Any renegotiation must involve the public, and it must build a framework for addressing the issues that the Great Lakes will face over the coming years and decades. Making the announcement is the easy part. The real work has only just begun.”
Access the full text of Secretary Clinton's comments (click here). Access the press conference Q&A text (click here). Access a release from GLU (click here). Access a report on Great Lakes Governance from the Centre for Engineering and Public Policy at McMaster University (click here).
Monday, June 8, 2009
Alliance For The Great Lakes Head Will Be Obama's Great Lakes Chief
Jun 3: Cameron Davis, president and CEO of the Alliance for the Great Lakes (Alliance), has been tapped by the Obama administration to serve as special advisor to the U.S. EPA overseeing its Great Lakes restoration plan. Jack Bails, Alliance board chairman said, “Cameron Davis’s work at the Alliance for the Great Lakes during the last 23 years has helped put the Great Lakes on the national radar -- not only with the new administration and Congress, but with states, cities and countless citizens." The Alliance notes that during Davis's 11 years as chief executive, Davis led the organization to receive the American Bar Association’s Distinguished Achievement Award for Environmental Law & Policy, the first time a not-for-profit citizens organization has won the honor.
Joel Brammeier, the Alliance’s vice president for policy and a staff member at the organization for eight years, will be appointed interim Alliance president and CEO upon Davis’s scheduled June 30 departure. An executive transition team has been appointed to assist Brammeier and help lead the organization through a search for Davis’s successor.
Davis was also the former co-chair of the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition (HOW). HOW campaign manager Jeff Skelding said, “We congratulate Davis in his new post, and applaud the Obama Administration for filling this important position. Davis understands the serious threats facing the Great Lakes and has worked tirelessly during his career to advance solutions that protect the Lakes, safeguard public health and create jobs." HOW indicated that Davis will be responsible for advising the EPA and ensuring and overseeing Great Lakes restoration. During the campaign for President, Obama pledged to provide $5 billion for Great Lakes restoration and a Czar to oversee and coordinate the program. Since becoming President, Obama has set aside $475 million for a Great Lakes Restoration Initiative in his FY 2010 budget and made restoration a priority.
Access a release with further details from the Alliance (click here). Access a release from the HOW coalition (click here).
Joel Brammeier, the Alliance’s vice president for policy and a staff member at the organization for eight years, will be appointed interim Alliance president and CEO upon Davis’s scheduled June 30 departure. An executive transition team has been appointed to assist Brammeier and help lead the organization through a search for Davis’s successor.
Davis was also the former co-chair of the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition (HOW). HOW campaign manager Jeff Skelding said, “We congratulate Davis in his new post, and applaud the Obama Administration for filling this important position. Davis understands the serious threats facing the Great Lakes and has worked tirelessly during his career to advance solutions that protect the Lakes, safeguard public health and create jobs." HOW indicated that Davis will be responsible for advising the EPA and ensuring and overseeing Great Lakes restoration. During the campaign for President, Obama pledged to provide $5 billion for Great Lakes restoration and a Czar to oversee and coordinate the program. Since becoming President, Obama has set aside $475 million for a Great Lakes Restoration Initiative in his FY 2010 budget and made restoration a priority.
Access a release with further details from the Alliance (click here). Access a release from the HOW coalition (click here).
BP Products Cited For CAA Violations
Jun 2: U.S. EPA Region 5 cited BP Products North America Inc. for alleged Clean Air Act (CAA) violations at the company's petroleum refinery at 2815 Indianapolis Blvd., Whiting, IN. According to a release, EPA alleges that for calendar years 2003 through 2008 BP failed to manage and treat benzene waste from the facility as required by the national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants. The facility's 2008 report showed that benzene waste was almost 16 times the amount allowed.
EPA said these are preliminary findings of violations. To resolve them, EPA may issue a compliance order, assess an administrative penalty or bring suit against the company in Federal court. BP has 30 days from receipt of the notice to meet with EPA to discuss resolving the allegations. EPA indicated that benzene is known to cause cancer in humans. Acute health effects from benzene exposure can include dizziness and lightheadedness; eye, nose and throat irritation; upset stomach and vomiting; irregular heartbeat; convulsions and death. Ecological effects include death in exposed animal, bird and fish populations and death or reduced growth rate in plant life.
Access a release from EPA and link to additional information as it becomes available (click here).
EPA said these are preliminary findings of violations. To resolve them, EPA may issue a compliance order, assess an administrative penalty or bring suit against the company in Federal court. BP has 30 days from receipt of the notice to meet with EPA to discuss resolving the allegations. EPA indicated that benzene is known to cause cancer in humans. Acute health effects from benzene exposure can include dizziness and lightheadedness; eye, nose and throat irritation; upset stomach and vomiting; irregular heartbeat; convulsions and death. Ecological effects include death in exposed animal, bird and fish populations and death or reduced growth rate in plant life.
Access a release from EPA and link to additional information as it becomes available (click here).
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