$3.7 Million For Great Lakes Enhance Restoration Efforts

Jan 31:The University of Michigan Water Center [See WIMS 12/13/12] is soliciting applications for funding to support and enhance restoration efforts within the Great Lakes Basin. Up to $3.7 million dollars will be awarded to high quality projects that can demonstrate specific benefits for advancing restoration approaches in the Great Lakes. The request for proposals is an important part of the Center's efforts to enhance restoration activities by engaging the region's best scientific minds in advancing evaluation and assessment of restoration projects. Through this process we also seek to improve restoration and protection technologies and techniques and develop a collective framework for large-scale restoration and protection efforts.

 

    The Center is seeking projects that support existing restoration and protection efforts in the Great Lakes basin. Projects should emphasize synthesis and assessment of existing data/information, with little support provided for new data collection. Projects should address one or more of the following topic areas:

1. Conducting assessments of economic and/or environmental outcomes for existing Canadian and/or U.S. restoration efforts such as the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI);
2. Strengthening Great Lakes restoration projects through enhanced integration of science into restoration efforts that span multiple stressors and/or cover larger geographic areas in the Great Lakes basin. These projects should include elements that identify key science and management gaps;
3. Improving restoration and protection science, techniques, and methods for the Great Lakes basin ecosystem.

    Expressions of Interest are due by midnight Eastern Time on February 22, 2013. Water Center staff will address questions during a webinar on February 14, 2013, from 2-3 PM. Webinar details will be posted on the Water Center website when available. Responses to questions will be posted in a Frequently Asked Questions document that will be regularly updated while the request for proposals is open.

 

    Access details on proposal guidelines and submission, including all relevant deadlines and contacts (click here). Access the U-M Water Center website for background information (click here). [#MIGLakes/Funding]

 

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Great Lakes Governors Applaud Bill To Fix Funding For Ports & Harbors

Jan 25: The Great Lakes Governors applauded the recent introduction of legislation in Congress that would permanently fix the nation's dysfunctional funding program to maintain ports and harbors.  Specifically, the Governors pledged their support for the Realize America's Maritime Promise (RAMP) Act, H.R. 335, and commended the sponsors for their leadership in introducing this bill. The bill was introduced by Rep. Charles Boustany, Jr. (R-LA) and has 47 cosponsors. Once enacted, the legislation would immediately help to put Americans to work on improving ports and harbors, while representing a long-term investment to enhance both the nation's and the region's global economic competitiveness.
 
    Governor Rick Snyder (R-MI), Co-Chair of the Council of Great Lakes Governors (CGLG) said, "I applaud the Congressmen for working to enact what is really a simple solution to a major problem—actually spending funds already collected for the purpose of harbor maintenance on harbor maintenance. This solution is critical for our region's ports and harbors, and for the national economy." Governor Pat Quinn (D-IL), Co-Chair said, "Congress must act to provide relief to our harbors. Drought and low water levels have created a crisis that is only compounded by the failure to spend federal funds that have already been collected and set aside for just this purpose." 
 
    The Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF) was created in 1986 to establish a dedicated funding source for dredging and other required maintenance of the nation's coastal harbors. Cargo vessels are assessed a user fee on imported and domestic cargo arriving at U.S. ports and harbors. Recent annual revenue from these fees has totaled about $1.5 billion, but only about half of that amount has been spent on its intended purpose. This trend has led to inadequate dredging of harbors and ports, which forces ships to carry lighter cargo loads and increases the cost per ton to move cargo.  As the Great Lakes water levels reach historic lows, this problem has been exacerbated and hindered job creation, economic growth and competitiveness.
 
    The President's FY2013 budget includes $31 million for dredging Great Lakes harbors but the Federal government estimates that about twice that amount is needed in this year alone. Further, the total backlog of dredging needs for Great Lakes harbors totals approximately $200 million. Failure to address these needs jeopardizes our region's ports, particularly smaller ports that provide the livelihood of many smaller cities and towns. For instance, the ports of Waukegan, Illinois, and St. Joseph, Michigan, recently faced closure because of inadequate dredging. 
 
    A release from CGLG indicates that the legislation will ensure that all funds deposited into the trust fund in a given fiscal year are fully expended. A broad, national coalition supports this long-term solution to more closely tie trust fund expenditures to revenues, maintain the nation's ports and harbors, and bolster the American economy.

 

    Access a release from and link to more information (click here). Access legislative details for HR.335 (click here). 

 

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NOAA Marine Debris Research Funding Opportunity

Jan 25: The NOAA Marine Debris Program is seeking applicants for research into the persistence and chemical impacts of marine debris. Original, hypothesis-driven projects that address one of these focus areas is the subject of this funding opportunity. NOAA expects to fund research projects in focus areas that have not previously been addressed to scientific standards. This is not a request for project proposals that address outreach, education, or removal of marine debris; rather it is a focused effort to address specific research topics and advance the state of the science regarding the persistence and chemical impacts of marine debris. Funding of up to $500,000 is expected to be available. Typical awards will range from $25,000 to $200,000. Funding is contingent upon the availability of Fiscal Year 2013 appropriations. Applications will be accepted via grants.gov until February 28, 2013.

 

    Access the grants.gov website for Funding Opportunity # NOAA-NOS-ORR-2013-2003594 (click here). Access the NOAA Marine Debris website for additional information (click here).

 

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How Climate Change Is Damaging The Great Lakes

Jan 18: Matt Kasper with the Center for American Progress (CAP) has posted an article as a guest blogger on the Climate Progress blog. The posting is entitled, How Climate Change Is Damaging The Great Lakes, With Implications For The Environment And The Economy.

 

    According to the posting, "Great Lakes Michigan and Huron set a new record low water level for the month of December, and in the coming weeks the could record their lowest water levels ever. It's becoming certain that, like the rest of the country, the Great Lakes are feeling the effects of climate change. Last year was officially the warmest year on record for the lower-48 states. The hot summer air has been causing the surface water of the Great Lakes to increase in temperature. One might think this causes more precipitation around the lakes, but the warmer winter air is causing a shorter duration of ice cover. In fact, the amount of ice covering the lakes has declined about 71 percent over the past 40 years. Last year, only 5 percent of the lakes froze over –- compared to 1979 when ice coverage was as much as 94 percent.

    "Furthermore, the continuing effect of the historic drought in the Midwest is causing increased levels of evaporation. This combination of climate change side-effects results in low water levels for the Great Lakes. The impact climate change has on the five lakes (Superior, Michigan, Huron Erie, and Ontario) will have serious implications for aquatic life, as well as high economic costs for communities."

    The posting includes maps and information developed by the Great Lakes Environmental Assessment and Mapping project (GLEAM) that illustrate the severity of the environmental impacts on the lakes, as well as the warming temperature of the lakes. Also included are information from the NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL) and the draft Third National Climate Assessment draft.

    Access the complete posting with links to the various cited resources (click here).

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USACE Wants Comments On ANS Control Methods

Jan 18: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Chicago District has posted aquatic nuisance species (ANS) Controls that can be used to prevent the transfer of algae, crustaceans, fish and plants via aquatic pathways. USACE is announcing in the Federal Register [78 FR 4137-4138] a comment period, extending until February 21, 2013, to allow for the submission of information on available ANS Controls for these organism types.

    In a December 8, 2010 notice of intent, Federal Register Notice (75 FR 76447), USACE announced it will prepare a feasibility report and an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for GLMRIS. GLMRIS is a feasibility study of the range of options and technologies that could be applied to prevent ANS transfer between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River basins through aquatic pathways. USACE is conducting GLMRIS in consultation with other Federal agencies, Native American tribes, state agencies, local governments and non-governmental organizations.

    This notice announces a comment period during which USACE is asking the public to submit: (i) information on ANS Controls that may be effective at preventing the transfer of fish, algae, crustaceans and plants in the Chicago Area Waterway (CAWS) but are missing from the USACE's lists of ANS Controls, or (ii) comments regarding the identified ANS Controls.

 

    Access the FR announcement (click here). Access the screened ANS Controls (click here). Access the ANS Control Paper website (click here). Access additional information regarding GLMRIS (click here).

 

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Great Lakes Toxic Releases Up 12% From 2010 To 2011

Jan 16: U.S. EPA Region 5 Administrator issued a release discussing the latest 2011 annual Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) report and its implications for the Great Lakes [See WIMS 1/16/12]. EPA indicates that toxic releases into surface waters in the Great Lakes Basin increased by 12 percent from 2010 to 2011. Nationwide, toxic surface water discharges decreased by 3 percent. Susan Hedman, EPA Region 5 Administrator and Great Lakes National Program Manager said, "This is a significant increase in toxic releases to our waters -- and an indication that the Great Lakes region is lagging behind other parts of the country. EPA's Toxic Release Inventory is a valuable tool to help target areas for improvement and we will use this new information to work with municipalities, agricultural producers and manufacturers in the Great Lakes Basin to improve water quality."

    Nitrates and pesticides from municipal wastewater treatment plants and agriculture account for most of the toxic surface water discharges to the Great Lakes Basin. Nitrates were also discharged by primary metals facilities, such as iron and steel mills and smelters, and food and beverage manufacturers. Despite increases from 2010 to 2011, overall toxic releases in the Great Lakes Basin have decreased about 40 percent since 2003 and are currently at the second-lowest level in a decade. Surface water, air and land releases in the basin increased by 12, 1 and 4 percent respectively, while underground injection decreased 5 percent from 2010 to 2011. Nationwide, the 2011 TRI data show total toxic air releases in 2011 declined 8 percent from 2010, mostly because of decreased emissions of hazardous air pollutants. Total releases of toxic chemicals increased for the second year in a row as a result of mining.

    Access an EPA Region 5 release with links to related information (click here). Access a national release from EPA with links to related information (click here). Access more on the 2011 TRI analysis and TRI web-based tools (click here). Access more on facility efforts to reduce toxic chemical releases (click here).

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Officials Meeting On Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement

Jan 15: The Alliance for the Great Lakes (Alliance) and the International Joint Commission (IJC) announced that U.S. and Canadian officials are coming to Chicago on January 23 to discuss with environmental leaders and the public the way ahead in implementing the landmark Great Lakes Water Quality agreement, recently amended and updated in September 2012 [See WIMS 9/7/12]. Commissioners of the International Joint Commission will be an important part of this dialogue. Registration is now open for the day-long seminar and webinar entitled, "The Boundary Waters Treaty, the International Joint Commission, and the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement," The deadline for registration to attend in-person is Friday, January 18, by end of day.

    Lyman Welch, Water Quality Program director for the Alliance said, "The future of the Great Lakes depends on the U.S. and Canada following through on their visionary commitments to protect and restore our precious clean water. It also depends on input from those outside government. We are pleased to invite everyone for a discussion on making this happen, providing an opportunity for stakeholders to contribute their views to both governments and the International Joint Commission."

    Years in the making, the 40-year-old pact to protect and restore the Great Lakes across national boundaries was updated by the U.S. and Canada in September. The Great Lakes Water Quality Protocol of 2012 is a bi-national agreement addressing key threats to the Great Lakes today, adding prevention of invasive species and adapting to impacts of climate change to its earlier calls for reductions in phosphorus and toxic pollutants. U.S. EPA Region V and the Great Lakes National Program Office in Chicago have made their facilities available for the seminar, 9 AM – 5PM CST, in the Lake Michigan Room of the EPA/GLNPO, 77 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60604-3590. Photo identification/security screening will be required for building entry.

    Access a posted announcement and agenda (click here). Access the in-person registration website (click here). Access the webinar registration website (click here).

 

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Funding For Habitat Restoration In U.S. Great Lakes Areas of Concern

Jan 4: NOAA's Restoration Center announced a Federal funding opportunity (FFO) for habitat restoration in U.S. Great Lakes Areas of Concern (AOCs). The closing date is February 27, 2013. NOAA anticipates up to $5 million may be available for habitat restoration; typical awards for on the ground implementation are expected to range between $750,000 and $4 million. NOAA will also accept proposals for engineering and design of habitat restoration projects; typical awards are expected to range between $50,000 and $350,000.

    New this year NOAA will accept four proposals per AOC (each with an endorsement letter from either the state agency responsible for implementing the Area of Concern program or local public stakeholder group working with the state agency on implementing the remedial action plan): two for on the ground restoration projects and two for engineering and design projects. In cases where an Area of Concern crosses state boundaries, each state can submit two proposals for implementation and two proposals for engineering and design.

 

    Access complete information on the FFO (click here). Access further information from NOAA Restoration Center (click here, posted soon).

 

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Sustain Our Great Lakes Funding Opportunity

Jan 3: Sustain Our Great Lakes is now accepting applications for competitive funding through its 2013 grant cycle. Details about this funding opportunity are provided in the Request For Proposals, and additional program information is available from the link below. The submission deadline is February 14, 2013.

    In 2013, grant funding will be awarded in three categories: Habitat Restoration; Delisting of Habitat-Related Beneficial Use Impairments; and Private Landowner Technical Assistance. To be eligible for funding, projects must occur within the Great Lakes basin. Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and state, tribal and local governments.
Approximately $5–9 million is expected to be available for grant awards. Individual awards will range from $25,000 to $1.5 million.
 
    Sustain Our Great Lakes will host a webinar on January 15, 2013 to provide information about this funding opportunity.  Webinar participants will learn about funding priorities and the application process, see examples of past projects, receive tips for submitting competitive proposals, and have the opportunity to ask questions.  The webinar will begin at 11 AM Eastern Time/10 AM Central Time and last for approximately 1 hour. 

 

    Sustain Our Great Lakes is a public–private partnership among ArcelorMittal, the U.S. EPA, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Forest Service, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S.D.A. Natural Resources Conservation Service.

 

    Access an announcement with additional information and contacts (click here). Access the complete RFP (click here). Access a registration website for the webinar (click here).

 

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