HOW Coalition Receives $2.5 Million Continuation Grant

Nov 29: Grand Rapids philanthropist Peter Wege and The Wege Foundation announced that they will continue to support the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes (HOW) Coalition for five more years through a $2.5 million grant. Lynn McClure, Midwest director for the National Parks Conservation Association, and a co-chair of the Coalition said, "We are extremely grateful for the generous support from Mr. Wege and The Wege Foundation. Their leadership has been instrumental in elevating the profile of the Great Lakes nationally, which has led to a federal commitment to improve the health of the lakes for the millions of people who live along the shores and visit each year."

    Former Steelcase CEO Peter Wege and his namesake foundation launched the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition in 2004 with a 5-year, $5 million grant. They have continued to be core supporters of the Coalition, which also receives funding from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation, Great Lakes Fishery Trust, The Joyce Foundation and The Kresge Foundation. Ellen Satterlee, CEO of The Wege Foundation said, "Trustees are impressed by the collaborative support of the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition and related Great Lakes work from so many other foundations in the region. Together, we're making a real difference for our Great Lakes and we at The Wege Foundation are proud and honored to work with the Coalition on this important cause."

    According to a release from HOW, the Coalition and its 120 member organizations in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin have been leaders in securing a robust Great Lakes restoration plan and accompanying federal funding. Over the past three years, President Obama and the U.S. Congress have infused more than $1 billion into restoration programs through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to clean up toxic pollution, reduce runoff from cities and farms, restore habitat and wetlands and fight invasive species like the Asian carp.

    Access a release from HOW (click here). Access the HOW coalition website for more information (click here).

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Priorities For Protecting Against Emerging Chemical Pollutants

Nov 27: A report released today by the Alliance for the Great Lakes (Alliance) notes that since the production of synthetic chemicals took off after World War II, the waters of Lake Michigan -- which take a century to refresh -- have yet to see a complete turnover. Halfway through this cycle, scientists are beginning to see alarming trends of an increasing multitude of chemicals found in the water. In southern Lake Michigan, one of the most urbanized and industrialized areas in the Great Lakes Basin and home to approximately a third of the Great Lakes population, these contaminants are a steady source of chemical exposure for aquatic species, and affect the quality of the waters we rely upon for drinking and look to for recreation.

 

    Alliance President and CEO Joel Brammeier said, "The number of chemicals entering the nation's environment each year is staggering, as is the potential for them to degrade the water we drink and swim in." Upwards of 85,000 chemicals are in production and use in the U.S. today -- more than 2,200 of them produced at a rate of 1 million-plus pounds a year. Beyond this, consumers can choose from more than 50,000 pharmaceutical products, and nearly 20,000 registered pesticide products have entered the

market since registration began in 1947.

 

    The report -- Keeping Great Lakes Water Safe: Priorities for Protecting Against Emerging Chemical Pollutants -- applies a published, peer-reviewed scientific framework to rank chemicals of highest concern found in national waters that are representative of those found in the Great Lakes. The methodology examines both surface water and treated drinking water -- identifying the top 20 emerging contaminants for each based on occurrence, ecologic and human health impacts, and water treatment capabilities. The top-ranking chemicals include representatives from a broad range of categories: hormones, synthetic musks, antibiotics, pharmaceuticals, antimicrobials and preservatives, UV blockers, plasticizers, flame retardants and pesticides.

 

    The Alliance indicates that as the chemical presence around us expands, the potential for them to end up in the Great Lakes also grows -- arriving there via atmospheric deposition, stormwater runoff and sewage overflows. Others are released into the Great Lakes at trace concentrations via treated wastewater discharges because conventional sewage treatment isn't designed to remove them. Lake Michigan's surface waters are affected, with six of the top 20 chemicals detected -- among them flame retardants, synthetic fragrances, bisphenol A (BPA), and a popular cholesterol-lowering drug -- found in the open lake waters.

 

    Current data shows that, after processing in a treatment plant, drinking water drawn from Lake Michigan may not be significantly burdened with contaminants, with only one chemical -- a flame retardant -- detected of the top 20 identified in the report. The report cautions that the data collected thus far provides only a snapshot of what might be in the open waters of the Great Lakes, however, and doesn't take into account the health risks that bioaccumulating chemicals in the water pose to people who eat Great Lakes fish. Also not known is the level of risk these trace levels of contaminants in the water actually pose for people and wildlife.

 

    The report calls for a comprehensive approach that involves not only technological solutions, but collaboration among utilities, regulatory agencies, public health officials, manufacturers and environmentalists to focus on pollution prevention. Additionally it

further calls for: Funding development of consistent, uniform regional monitoring standards; Encouraging the U.S. and Canada to draw on credible prioritization methods to set binational objectives for controlling high-priority Great Lakes contaminants, and to pursue these goals through domestic policy reforms; and Reforming the 36-year-old federal Toxic Substance Control Act to feature a framework that places pollution prevention at the forefront of new chemical design and production.

 

    Access the report website and link to a release, executive summary and the complete 40-page report (click here).

 

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Eight Draft Aquatic Pathway Assessment For Wisconsin

Nov 27: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) released for public comment eight draft Aquatic Pathway Assessment Reports for the State of Wisconsin. The purpose of each report is to evaluate key evidence to estimate the likelihood of an aquatic pathway forming and the possibility of aquatic nuisance species (ANS) using it to reach the adjacent basin, as part of the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Interbasin Study (GLMRIS). Comments for the eight draft Wisconsin reports will be accepted from November 27, 2012 through December 27, 2012. USACE will review and incorporate public input before finalizing and re-issuing the reports early 2013. Additionally, USACE will host a stakeholder conference call Thursday, December 13, 2012 at 10 AM (Central) to answer questions regarding the Wisconsin reports. 

    The reports, which were developed in coordination with Federal, State and local partners, show that Portage Upstream (Columbia County), Portage and Canal Downstream (Columbia County), Rosendale-Brandon (Fond du Lac County) and Brule Headwaters (Douglas County) have a medium probability for the potential transfer of viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSv) from the Great Lakes Basin into the Mississippi River Basin. Jerome Creek (Kenosha County), South Aniwa Wetlands (Marathon-Shawano County), Hatley-Plover River (Marathon County) and West Menomonee Falls (Waukesha County) have a low probability for the inter-basin movement of ANS.

    The overall objective of the Focus Area 2 portion of GLMRIS is to produce an interim report for each of the 18 potential aquatic pathways found between the two basins (outside of the Chicago Area Waterway System or Focus Area 1). The reports are the next step in a tiered approach to assess the probability associated with the spread of ANS between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River basins. Additional reports focusing on potential pathways in Ohio, New York and Pennsylvania will be released over the next few months, as they are completed. The reports include: study methodology; aquatic pathway characterization; aquatic pathway viability for ANS of Concern; overall aquatic pathway viability and some potential opportunities that, if implemented, could prevent or reduce the probability of ANS transferring between the basins.

 

    Access a release with additional details and instructions for commenting and the conference call (click here). Access links to all reports and online commenting links (click here). [#GLakes]

 

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GLRI Quality Technical Conference Postponed

Nov 19: U.S. EPA has announced that the Third Annual Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) Quality Technical Conference, originally scheduled for December 4-6, 2012 in Chicago, is being postponed until the late winter/early spring of 2013. Once a new conference date has been determined, a new announcement and call for abstracts will be issued. For those who have already submitted abstracts for this conference, you will be contacted to reaffirm your interest in presenting on the new date.

    The conference is designed to bring together GLRI collaborators to: 1) share accomplishments and challenges encountered when implementing projects aimed at removing beneficial use impairments around the Great Lakes basin; 2) collaborate on quality and technical practices that improve project results; and 3) create an open forum for communication and coordination. The theme of the conference is "Quality We Can See!" as demonstrated through the results of projects, cooperation, use of innovative tools and techniques, best practices, quality system developments, and more.

 

    Access the conference website for background information (click here). Access the .GLRI website for more information (click here).

 

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Call For Pre-Proposals For Fishery Research Program

Nov 20: The Great Lakes Fishery Commission has issued a call for pre-proposals for the 2014 funding cycle for the Fishery Research Program. The deadline for pre-proposals is January 15, 2013, 11:59 PM EST. New projects may not begin before January 1, 2014. Awards are generally between $35,000 and $100,000 per year. Total annual funding available for new Fishery Research Program projects is approximately $350,000, and possibly up to an additional $475,000 for projects focused on restoration of native fish species.

 

    Access complete information and details (click here).

 

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USACE Releases Eagle Marsh ANS Controls Report

Nov 16: The Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) released the Eagle Marsh Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Controls Report for public review and comment. Eagle Marsh, which is located in Fort Wayne, Indiana, has been identified as a potential pathway where ANS may spread between the Mississippi River and Great Lakes basins. This potential pathway was identified in the report titled Great Lakes and Mississippi River Interbasin Study Other Pathways Preliminary Risk Characterization released in 2010. A 60-day public comment period begins on November 16, 2012 and ends January 14, 2013.

    The purpose of the Eagle Marsh ANS Controls Report is to identify a permanent means to prevent the spread of Asian carp and other aquatic nuisance species across Eagle Marsh as efficiently and effectively as possible. In the report, nine structural alternatives are compared and at least three were determined to have a "high" likelihood of preventing interbasin spread of ANS across Eagle Marsh. A range of non-structural alternatives are also described that could complement any structural solution.

    USACE actively coordinated with the Indiana DNR, U.S. Geological Survey, Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. EPA, Council on Environmental Quality, Little River Wetlands Project, Maumee River Basin Commission, Allen County Soil and Water Conservation District and Allen County Surveyor's Office throughout development of the report. Their contributions significantly improved the quality of the report and reflect significant interest and capabilities that may be applied toward long-term prevention of the spread of ANS across Eagle Marsh.

    Access a release from USACE (click here). [#GLakes]

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Groups Highlight Fiscal Cliff Impact On Great Lakes Programs

Nov 14: Drawing attention as to why the so-called "Fiscal Cliff" issue [See WIMS 11/8/12] is important to environmental programs, a number of Great Lakes advocates are urging the nation's leaders to hold the line against cuts to successful programs that are restoring the Lakes, the source of drinking water for 30 million people.

 

    Jeff Skelding, campaign director of the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition (HOW) said, "President Obama's support for Great Lakes programs has been invaluable, and we challenge him to maintain his commitment to the Lakes. Congressional support has been equally important. Our message to Congress: Do not let up now. Restoration projects are producing results -- but there's more to do. We look forward to working with leaders of both parties to maintain the nation's commitment to the Great Lakes to protect our drinking water, jobs, public health and way of life."

 

    The groups, which also include Alliance for the Great Lakes and the National Parks Conservation Association indicate that unless the U.S. Congress and Obama Administration forge a budget deal by January 1, key Great Lakes programs face mandatory 8.2 percent cuts through a process called "sequestration." The reductions due to sequestration are on top of other potential budget cuts, threatening core clean water programs. They point out that based on fiscal year 2012 levels, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative would be cut by $25 million, from $300 million to $275 million. The Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund -- which helps communities fix old sewers -- would be cut by $120 million, from $1.47 billion to $1.35 billion. By formula, the Great Lakes states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin would lose approximately $44 million.

 

    Access a release from HOW with more information (click here). Access a fact sheet on the impact of sequestration on Great Lakes programs (click here).

 

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Grants Focus On Adapting To Climate Change In Great Lakes

Nov 15: University of Michigan (U-M) scientists and their colleagues at Michigan State University (MSU) have awarded six grants to organizations across the region for projects that will help decision-makers adapt to climate change and variability in the Great Lakes basin. The grants were awarded by the Great Lakes Integrated Sciences and Assessments Center (GLISA), a Federally funded collaboration between U-M and MSU. GLISA researchers study issues related to climate change and variability in the Great Lakes basin and how the region can respond to climate-related risks, such as potential damages from changes in long-term temperature and precipitation patterns.

    GLISA program manager David Bidwell, a research fellow at U-M's Graham Sustainability Institute said, "Climate change is expected to have significant impacts on the Great Lakes region, and it's important for us to understand and prepare for them. These projects are laboratories for learning best practices for making decisions informed by climate science."

    In addition to the grant awards, GLISA researchers recently posted a new set of white papers focused on potential impacts, vulnerabilities and adaptation options related to climate change and variability in the Midwest. Donald Scavia, GLISA co-leader and special counsel to the U-M president for sustainability said, "These papers were prepared at the request of the U.S. Global Change Research Program and examine how climate change could affect water resources, forestry, biodiversity, transportation, energy, agriculture, tourism and recreation, and the region's coastal systems. These assessments are critical, not only to the U.S. national climate assessment, but also to aid regional adaptation planning."

 

    Access a release with summaries of the projects and link to  more information on the grants and GLISA (click here). Access white papers (click here).

 

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New York Sea Grant Restoration Initiative Projects

Nov 14: The New York Sea Grant (NYSG) announced that it will collaborate on four Great Lakes Restoration Initiative projects. Award-winning educators David MacNeill, a fisheries specialist, and coastal education specialist Helen Domske will be key partners in efforts to: evaluate the status of Lake Ontario's food web; develop resources for North American scientists on high-risk aquatic invasive species currently most well-known in Russian waters and where they may be found should they invade North America; extend successful aquatic invasive species (AIS) education to new target audiences; and educate a wide variety of stakeholders about the proper disposal of personal care products to help reduce unwanted chemicals in the Great Lakes system.
 
    New York Sea Grant Associate Director and Cornell Cooperative Extension Assistant Director Dr. Katherine Bunting-Howarth said, "New York Sea Grant Extension is pleased to partner with our Sea Grant colleagues, educational institutions, the National Geographic Society and others who share an interest in the Great Lakes to pursue critical research and educational opportunities in 2013 on behalf of the Great Lakes' unique environmental system."

 

    Access a release from NYSG and link to more information (click here).

 

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Patty Birkholz Appointed To Great Lakes Protection Fund Board

Nov 9: Michigan Governor Rick Snyder announced the appointment of Patty Birkholz, of Saugatuck, to the Great Lakes Protection Fund Board of Directors. Established in 1989, the Great Lakes Protection Fund (GLPF) is a private, nonprofit corporation and permanent environmental endowment that supports collaborative actions to improve the health of the Great Lakes ecosystem. The fund's board of directors meets quarterly and governs fund operations. The Governor said, "Patty is a well-known and highly regarded advocate for Michigan and its lakes. I am confident she will do great work to promote and enhance the health of the Great Lakes ecosystem."

 

    Birkholz most recently served as director of the Michigan Office of the Great Lakes. Previously, she served five terms in the Michigan Legislature, including three in the House and two in the Senate. She was the first woman in State history elected president pro-tempore. Birkholz's legislative work focused on protecting the Great Lakes and Michigan's groundwater; she championed the adoption of the historic Great Lakes Water Compact and spearheaded passage of the nation's first scientifically-based water withdrawal legislation. Birkholz holds a bachelor's degree in speech pathology from Western Michigan University, where she also completed graduate work in speech pathology and public administration. She replaces Rich Baird. Birkholz will serve a two-year term that expires October 11, 2014, and her appointment is not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

 

    The GLPF recently released its draft version of the Fund's 2011 Annual Report which until the close of business on Monday, November 26, 2012. In 1989, the Governors of the Great Lakes states created the Protection Fund to help them protect and restore their shared natural resources. The Fund is the first private endowment created to benefit a specific ecosystem. It is designed to support the creative work of collaborative teams that test new ideas, take risks, and share what they have learned. It is a source of financial support for groups that value innovation and entrepreneurship, focus on tangible benefits for the Great Lakes ecosystem, and learn by doing. Seven Great Lakes states contributed $81 million to the Fund's permanent endowment.

 

    Access a release from the Governor (click here). Access the GLPF website for more information (click here). Access the announcement of the draft report with commenting instructions and link to the complete 36-page report (click here).

 

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Comments On Indiana Aquatic Nuisance Species Pathway Reports

Nov 9: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) released for public comment three draft Aquatic Pathway Assessment Reports for the State of Indiana: Eagle Marsh, Loomis Lake and Parker-Cobb Ditch. The purpose of each report is to evaluate key evidence to estimate the likelihood of an aquatic pathway forming and the possibility of aquatic nuisance species (ANS) using it to reach the adjacent basin, as part of the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Interbasin Study (GLMRIS).

    In 2010, a temporary barrier was built to prevent adult Asian carp transfer at Eagle Marsh. However, the Eagle Marsh assessment report found that Eagle Marsh remains a high risk potential pathway due to the probability that viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHS) could spread across the basin divide. USACE GLMRIS Program Manager Jack Drolet said, "There has been significant progress on Eagle Marsh. Because this was identified early on as a potential Asian carp transfer site, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources built a temporary barrier, and the GLMRIS Team began to evaluate potential permanent control options. That report will be available soon and will provide opportunity for stakeholder input."

    The ANS Controls Report that identifies options and technologies that may be available to permanently prevent the inter-basin transfer of ANS during flooding events at the Wabash – Maumee basins connection at Eagle Marsh near Fort Wayne, IN will be released for a 60-day comment period November 16. Comments for the three draft Indiana reports will be accepted beginning Nov. 9, 2012 and will close Dec. 7, 2012.

    Access a release from USACE with commenting instructions and link to the three reports and background information (click here).

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Deepwater Ciscoes to be Re-Introduced Into Lake Ontario

Nov 9: The "bloater" fish, a deepwater cisco, was re-introduced into Lake Ontario offshore of Oswego, bringing the fish back to the lake for the first time in nearly thirty years, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and partner agencies announced today. This historic action is the first of its kind in the Great Lakes and is the culmination of several years of collaborative laboratory, hatchery and field research conducted by federal, state, and provincial agencies. The last known fish was collected in 1983.

 

    DEC Commissioner Joe Martens said, "Lake Ontario's sport fisheries are a significant economic driver in New York State, and were valued at more than $113 million in 2007. Re-establishing bloaters in Lake Ontario will diversify the fish community, adding stability to the lake's ecosystem and sport fisheries." According to a release from DEC, re-establishing self-sustaining populations of bloater in Lake Ontario is the focus of a cooperative, international effort between DEC, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Great Lakes Fishery Commission to restore native fish populations in Lake Ontario.  This program will improve food web stability and mitigate negative impacts of invasive species; however, it will require a long-term stocking program. 

 

    Russ Strach, Director of the USGS Great Lakes Science Center, said, "The capital investment in the new research vessel demonstrates USGS' commitment to cutting-edge deepwater science in Lake Ontario.  The new vessel greatly enhances our ability to conduct ecosystem-based fishery research to address management questions important to our partner agencies.  I'm proud to see the platform used by the partnership working to restore this important native species."

 

    Deepwater ciscoes, a diverse group of species including bloater, kiyi, blackfin cisco, and shortnose cisco, were once the most abundant prey fish in the lake and supported important commercial fisheries.  Members of the whitefish family, bloaters feed primarily on invertebrates in water depths from 180 feet to 650 feet, spawning in winter at great depth, and were an important food source for native lake trout and burbot. 
 
    By the mid-20th century, populations declined dramatically in association with over-harvest and expanding populations of invasive alewife and rainbow smelt. Re-introducing bloaters will provide more food choices for predators, such as lake trout and salmon, and diversify the Lake Ontario fish community.  Lake trout and salmon that feed primarily on alewife can experience reproductive failure due to a vitamin B deficiency.  Predators that feed on native species like bloater are less likely to experience reproductive failure.

 

    Access the release from NY DEC (click here).

 

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Great Lakes Green Chemistry Conference

Nov 2: U.S. EPA announced the first Great Lakes Green Chemistry Conference, followed by the GreenScreen(tm) Training for Safer Chemicals. According to the announcement, the use of Green Chemistry and Engineering in the market strategies of businesses throughout the Great Lakes region is growing as companies look for ways to meet consumer demand for products and processes that are more sustainable. Participants will include representatives from industry, academia, government, non-profits, U.S. EPA Region 5, and those involved in the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable's Safer Chemistry Challenge Program. The conference will be held November 13-15, 2012, at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago.

 

    Participants will: Learn first-hand about the business case for Green Chemistry and Engineering and how companies can take advantage of technical assistance opportunities to help them move forward in their own effort to promote sustainability; Hear from businesses who have successfully used the framework of green chemistry who will talk about what the benefits for their businesses have been; Are public-private partnerships the wave of the future? Hear from the leaders who are building these partnerships today; and Take advantage of working sessions to identify technical assistance needs and develop resources to promote Green Chemistry in the Great Lakes region.

 

    Access complete details including registration, fees, agenda, etc. (click here).

 

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RFP For Great Lakes Fish & Wildlife Restoration Projects

Nov 1: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS or Service) is accepting project proposals to protect, restore and enhance Great Lakes fish and wildlife habitat under the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act (Act). The Service requests interested entities to submit restoration, research and regional project proposals for the restoration of Great Lakes fish and wildlife resources, as authorized under the Act (16 USC 941c). The purpose of the Act is to provide assistance to states, tribes, and other interested entities to encourage cooperative conservation, restoration and management of the fish and wildlife resources and their habitats in the Great Lakes Basin. The deadline for proposal submission is Monday, December 17, 2012.

    Supported in part by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), approximately $2 million in funding is projected to support projects this fiscal year. Available funding and project awards are subject to final Congressional appropriations for fiscal year 2013. Project funding is available to support Great Lakes Basin restoration, research and regional projects. Local watershed associations, municipalities, tribes, states and non-governmental organizations are encouraged to apply. All project proposals will be compiled, reviewed and ranked by the Proposal Review Committee, and final funding decisions will be made by the Service in the summer of 2013.

 

    Access complete details and background information from FWS (click here).

 

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