GLC Program For Soil Erosion & Sediment Control Grants

Jul 31: The Great Lakes Commission announced the 2013 Great Lakes Basin Program for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Round Two grant programs. This year, the program offers two grant options, a small scale grant project and a larger watershed scale grant project. The due date for applications is 6:00 PM ET September 6, 2013. A total of $750,000 is available for grants.

 

    GLC indicates that the program is all about making a difference -- in water quality, land use, and agricultural productivity. Initiated in 1991 and authorized in the 2002 and 2007 Farm Bills, the Federal/state partnership has supported well over 400 demonstration and technical assistance projects throughout the Great Lakes region. The Basin Program is coordinated by GLC in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (Natural Resources Conservation Service), U.S. EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

 

    Access complete information (click here). Access the Great Lakes Basin Program website for additional information (click here). [#GLakes]

$8.5 Million For Great Lakes Green Infrastructure

Jul 26: U.S. EPA announced that it has invited the 22 largest U.S. Great Lakes shoreline cities to apply for Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) funding for green infrastructure projects that will improve Great Lakes water quality. Great Lakes National Program Manager Susan Hedman said, "These Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grants will be used for green infrastructure projects to reduce urban runoff and sewer overflows that foul beaches and impair Great Lakes water quality."

    Up to $8.5 million is available to U.S. Great Lakes shoreline cities in the following amounts: (A) Population greater than 500,000 Up to $1,000,000; (B) Population from 100,000 - 499,999 Up to $500,000; and (C) Population from 50,000 - 99,999 Up to $250,000. Eligible cities can use the grants to cover up to 50 percent of the cost of rain gardens, bio-swales, green roofs, porous pavement, greenways, constructed wetlands, stormwater tree trenches and other green infrastructure measures installed on public property. Cities are encouraged to work with non-governmental organizations and private sector partners on these projects. Grants will be awarded to eligible Great Lakes shoreline cities on a "first-come, first awarded" basis – until funding runs out. The applications deadline is September 15, 2013.

 

    Access a release from EPA and link to complete details (click here). [#GLakes]

Democratic Senators Want Great Lakes In Climate Plan

Jul 23: Six Great Lakes Democratic Senators wrote President Obama urging him "to fully incorporate the risks and impacts to the Great Lakes" as he charts a plan for confronting climate change [See WIMS 6/25/13 & See WIMS 6/26/13]. The letter is from Senators Carl Levin (D-MI)); Dick Durbin (D-IL); Al Franken (D-MN); Sherrod Brown (D-OH); Charles Schumer (D-NY); and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) . It points to the importance of the Great Lakes, which supply drinking water to 40 million residents and provide 1.5 million jobs, and to problems such as low lake levels and extreme weather that are likely to worsen if climate change continues.

 

    In their letter the Senators indicate, "This year, Great Lakes water levels reached new historic lows severely hampering commercial shipping, jeopardizing recreational boating and fishing, devastating the tourism industry, threatening electric power generation, compromising water supply infrastructure, and exacerbating problems caused by invasive species.  In addition, severe spring storms in the Midwest resulted in flooding that damaged highways, homes, businesses, and public buildings.  The heavy rains and flooding also ironically exacerbated shipping problems in the Great Lakes because the runoff from these storms resulted in excessive sedimentation, further restricting shipping channels.  While we are pleased that your climate action plan would help make communities more resilient to flooding, it is disappointing that low water levels and the Great Lakes were not once mentioned in your plan, nor addressing the impacts they cause to shipping and the economy, water and energy supplies, shoreline integrity and the environment. The impacts of climate change on the nation's largest freshwater system should not be overlooked.

 

    Access a release and the complete letter (click here). [#GLakes, #Climate]

Meeting Of GLC & Great Lakes Week

Jul 25: The 2013 Annual Meeting of the Great Lakes Commission (GLC) will be held at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center, on September 9, 2013. Again this year, the GLC Annual Meeting will be held in conjunction with Great Lakes Week (September 9-12), which features the annual meetings and conferences of diverse groups who are leading the fight to restore the Great Lakes. Events this year include the first binational public forum under the new Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement and the Healing Our Waters – Great Lakes Coalition's Great Lakes Restoration Conference.

 

    The GLC meeting will feature panel discussions on fluctuating water levels and St. Clair River control options; the Waukesha, WI, water diversion proposal; and innovative state and provincial programs for dealing with nutrient management, invasive species and other pressing Great Lakes issues. Register by Aug. 9 to receive discounted registration fees. The 2013 Great Lakes Commission Semiannual Meeting registration fee is $110 (USD). Fees will rise to $125 on Aug. 10. An updated agenda, and travel and lodging information are available.

 

    Access complete registration and meeting information (click here). Access complete information on Great Lakes Week activities (click here). [GLakes]

MI Senator Proos Urges Action On Asian Carp

Jul 23:  Michigan State Senator John Proos (R-St. Joseph) indicated in a release that a new Canadian report warns of the real threat of an Asian carp invasion that could put the health of the Great Lakes at stake and damage the boating, fishing and tourism economies of both the United State and Canada. He said, "This is the latest report that reaches the same dire conclusion: the environmental and economic impact of Asian carp if they were to invade Lake Michigan would be catastrophic. Billions of dollars in economic activity would be lost, thousands of Michigan jobs would be wiped out and our way of life in the Great Lakes region would be forever changed."

    He said, he and his colleagues are currently pushing Senate Resolution 36 urging Congress to end water diversion from the Great Lakes through Chicago to avoid contamination. Closing the Chicago locks would prevent the migration into Lake Michigan of silver and bighead carp, commonly known as Asian carp. According to the report, since Asian carp breed quickly, have no natural predators and can consume as much as 20 percent of their body weight in a day, they can monopolize food sources and push out native species. The Canadian government predicts that if Asian carp get into Lake Michigan, they would spread to Lake Huron within five years.

    Sen. Proos said, "An Asian carp infestation would wreak havoc on the ecosystems of the Great Lakes and all its rivers, devastate a $7 billion fishing industry and jeopardize the livelihoods of many Michigan families. This is a battle that we cannot afford to lose, so I again urge the president to immediately close the Chicago locks to prevent an ecological and economic disaster. As families and tourists get out and enjoy Michigan waters, I encourage them to join the fight against Asian carp by learning more about the fish and reporting any suspected sightings."

    The report that Senator Proos refers to was released on July 11, by the Canadian nonprofit organization Environmental Defence. The report -- Tipping the Scales: How Canada and Ontario Can Prevent an Asian Carp Invasion of the Great Lakes -- outlines recommendations on what can be done to prevent Asian carp from establishing in the lakes. Nancy Goucher, water programs manager at Environmental Defence said, "Once Asian carp take hold of a lake or river, they wreak havoc on the ecosystem, steal food from other fish species, and are nearly impossible to get rid of. We need to act now to prevent an invasion because the cost of doing nothing is too high." She said, "The good news is that there is still time to prevent these dreaded invaders from establishing in the Great Lakes. This is an issue that affects both sides of the border, and everyone -- government and individuals -- can play a role in protecting the health of the lakes for generations to come."

    Access a release from Sen. Proos (click here). Access a release from Environmental Defence and link to the complete 24 page report (click here). Access the MDNR Asian Carp website for additional information (click here). Access the Asian Carp Management website for additional information (click here). Access the U.S. Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee website for more information (click here). [#MIGLakes, #MIWildlife]

2013 Asian Carp Control Strategy Framework

Jul 24: The Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee (ACRCC) release its updated version of the Asian Carp Control Strategy Framework [See WIMS 2/24/12]. According to a release, the Administration has invested more than $200 million dollars to protect the Great Lakes from Asian carp and created the ACRCC in 2009 in an unprecedented and effective effort to coordinate Federal, State and local efforts to combat the invasive species. John Goss, Asian Carp Director at the White House Council on Environmental Quality said, "This strategy continues our aggressive effort to bolster our tools to keep Asian carp out of the Great Lakes while we work toward a long term solution. The 2013 Framework will strengthen our defenses against Asian carp and move innovative carp control projects from research to field trials to implementation." The ACRCC has specified the following actions within the 2013 Framework:

• Provide a sound strategy for addressing the threat of an Asian carp invasion into the Great Lakes such that the Framework continues to provide direction to participating agencies and to provide modes of actions to reduce threats and identify areas of possible future
• mitigation of Asian carp population expansion.
• Identify an array of alternatives through the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Interbasin Study (GLMRIS) to prevent spread of aquatic nuisance species between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River basins.
• Identify efforts that supplement direct management action, such as education and outreach, or increased regulatory structure.
• Develop an effective and fiscally sustainable Asian carp control program throughout the Great Lakes Basin.
• Increase program sustainability through Framework action items such as robust control and removal efforts, and novel technology to detect and/or remove existing populations; and improve accuracy of known extent of Asian carp populations (including Dual-Frequency Identification Sonar [DIDSON], hydro-acoustic, and other remote sensing technologies). Other mitigating action items contribute to the program base and can be implemented if an emergency arises—including rotenone stockpiling, net development, and advanced fishing strategies. Further development of biological control agents will help to eradicate novel populations where they arise or to deplete existing stocks.
• Identify ongoing or potential collaboration among ACRCC entities, and specify partner roles.
• Document, track, and communicate actions of ACRCC partners in applying full authorities, capabilities, and resources to prevent introduction and establishment of Asian carp in the Great Lakes.
• Further engage with governmental, industrial, environmental, and other stakeholders.
• Initiate development of a strategy for transferring technology, decision support tools, and/or information to resource managers.
• Apply technologies and lessons learned to areas below the electric dispersal barriers and to concurrent national Asian carp efforts, where applicable.
• Build upon developed collaborative roles in the Great Lakes Basin to fully prepare for other basin-wide efforts as these arise.

    According to the report, "This Framework is a product of the best science available. Widespread agreement exists among scientists and stakeholders that prevention measures are critical to avoid the potential economic, environmental, and social costs associated with Asian carp establishment in the Great Lakes."

 

    Access a release from ACRCC (click here). Access the complete 200-page 2013 Framework document (click here). Access the ACRCC website for more information (click here). [#GLakes]

GOP "Proud" Proposed Budget Cuts Will Put "Check" On EPA

Jul 23: The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related agencies voted 7-4, in a straight party line vote, to approve a funding bill that would make major cuts to critical U.S. EPA and Great Lakes Programs. The legislation includes funding for the Department of the Interior, the U.S. EPA, the Forest Service, and various independent and related agencies. The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes (HOW) Coalition points out that the bill "slashes the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) funding by nearly 80 percent -- from the current level of $285 million to a proposed $60 million for fiscal year 2014. GLRI funds projects to clean up toxic contamination, reduce runoff from cities and farms, control invasive species, and restore fish and wildlife habitat.

 

    Overall, the bill funds the EPA at $5.5 billion, a reduction of $2.8 billion -- or 34% -- below the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. HOW also indicated that the bill also "slashes funding" to the Clean Water State Revolving Loan fund, the national program that helps communities fix old sewers to keep beaches open and protect drinking water supplies. The bill also cuts that program by more than 80 percent -- from the current level of $1.03 billion to a proposed $250 million for fiscal year 2014. A Republican Subcommittee release indicates that, the legislation also includes provisions to rein in various problematic, costly, and potentially job-killing regulatory actions by the Administration. Some of these provisions include: language related to the "stream buffer rule"; changes to the definition of "navigable waters" under the Clean Water Act; "new source" performance standards; "silviculture" regulations; changes to the definition of "fill material;" and new financial assurance requirements for hard rock mining.

 

    Todd Ambs, campaign director for HOW said, "The nation is at a crossroads. We urge public officials to keep restoration efforts on track by restoring funding to successful Great Lakes efforts and embracing a plan that puts the Lakes on a path toward recovery. Cutting successful Great Lakes programs will not save the nation one penny. It will only cost taxpayers more, because projects will only become more difficult and expensive the longer we wait." HOW said a funding bill in the House Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Subcommittee 

 

    Joel Brammeier, co-chair of HOW and President and CEO of the Alliance for the Great Lakes said, "Cuts of this magnitude would bring Great Lakes programs to a halt. At a time when communities are facing a staggering backlog of work to keep sewage out of our lakes and rivers, the nation needs to increase -- not cut -- these investments, which are critical for the environment and economy."   

    Subcommittee Chairman Mike Simpson (R-ID) commented on the bill saying, "Simply put, this bill makes very difficult choices in an extremely tough budget environment. In order to fund critical 'must-do' priorities, like human health, public safety, and treaty obligations and responsibilities, we've had to reduce and even terminate some programs that are popular with both Members of Congress and the American people. Within challenging budget constraints, we've focused on providing adequate funding to fight and prevent wildfires, making sure our national parks stay open, and meeting our trust responsibilities to American Indians. Paying for these critical priorities comes at a price to many agencies and activities throughout the bill. We are going to continue to see these kinds of dramatic reductions as long as we keep trying to reduce the debt by cutting discretionary spending alone, rather than also tackling mandatory spending, which is the real driver of our debt."    

    Full Committee Chairman Hal Rogers (R-KY) said, "The vast majority of the cuts fall on the Environmental Protection Agency, which is reduced by $2.8 billion, a full 34% down from FY13. That is no accident. As the American economy struggles to get up to speed, this Agency has introduced countless regulatory obstacles to growth and job creation, all without approval from Congress. The fruit of this labor has been readily apparent in southeastern Kentucky. In exchange for the use of millions of taxpayer dollars, the EPA helped to put 5,700 Kentucky miners in the unemployment lines between 2011 and 2012. New regulations and the uncertain business environment they create have shuttered coal plants nationwide. One-fifth of this country's coal fleet has been retired under this Administration, with many more to come unless something is done about it. The closure of one of those plants, Big Sandy in my District, will mean a further 120 jobs lost and a rate hike of between eight and a whopping thirty-one percent for customers throughout the region.

    "And now the President wants to put the nail in the coffin by regulating greenhouse gases on new and existing power plants, regardless of fuel source. This is a regulatory tilting of the playing field in favor of other energy sectors that will prove disastrous for the American families, businesses, and our energy security. It is no wonder that the White House talking points memo on these regulations explicitly advised staff to avoid discussion of 'net job numbers,' as these New Source Performance Standards have been forecasted to add hundreds of thousands to the unemployment lines. The pain already felt in Appalachia will be known across the country if these regulations are allowed to take effect. I am proud to say that this legislation serves as a check on the EPA, reducing its operations funding and prohibiting this harmful regulatory energy tax and several other proposed rules that would serve only to harm our economic recovery."

    Access a summary of the bill and link to the draft text of the bill (click here). Access the Republican markup meeting website for a video including the record vote, Republican statements and the bill text (click here). Access a lengthy release from HOW with additional details (click here). Access a summary of the bill and link to the draft text of the bill (click here). [#All, #GLakes]

Great Lakes Ecological & Economic Protection Bills

Jul 22: The Great Lakes Commission (GLC) issued a release commending the introduction of a House bill that authorizes several critical Great Lakes restoration programs and strengthens regional coordination and binational cooperation with Canada. The Great Lakes Ecological and Economic Protection Act (GLEEPA) was introduced by U.S. Representative Dave Joyce (R-OH). The bill is virtually identical to a Senate bill (S.1232) introduced on June 26, by Senator Carl Levin, et al, with the exception that it authorizes the Great Lakes Legacy Act at $100 million annually versus $150 million in the Senate bill. GLC gratefully acknowledges Rep. Joyce's leadership on the legislation and urges members of the House Great Lakes delegation to sign on as co-sponsors of the bill. Other members joining Rep. Joyce in introducing the bill include Reps. John Dingell (D-MI), Louise Slaughter (D-NY), Tom Petri (R-WI), Sander Levin (D-MI), and Candice Miller (R-MI).

    GLC Chair Kenneth Johnson, water division administrator at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources said, "This legislation will advance programs that are vital to the environmental and economic well-being of the entire region. GLEEPA will ensure that these valuable programs continue to protect and restore our Great Lakes and support our freshwater investment strategy." The bill formally authorizes the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI); reauthorize the Great Lakes Legacy Act; establish an Interagency Task Force to coordinate federal Great Lakes programs and a Great Lakes Advisory Board; and authorizes U.S. EPA's Great Lakes National Program Office.

    Access a release from GLC on the House bill (click here); and the Senate bill (click here). Access the S.1232 (click here). [GLakes]

Great Lakes Advisory Board Meeting July 23

Jul 18: U.S. EPA announces a public meeting and teleconference of the Great Lakes Advisory Board (GLAB) to be held  on July 23, 2013 in Chicago, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM (CDT). The GLAB is a Federal advisory committee established in 2012 to provide independent, consensus advice on Great Lakes restoration to the EPA Administrator who acts as Chair of the Interagency Task Force. The GLAB consists of 18 members, including a chairperson, appointed by EPA's Administrator. Members serve as representatives of state, local and tribal government, environmental groups, agriculture, business, transportation, foundations, educational institutions and as technical experts.

   

The GLAB held a meeting on May 21 and 22, 2013 and a teleconference on June 12, 2013, to discuss refinements to the existing GLRI Action Plan that will inform the development of a draft FY 2015-2019 Action Plan. The purpose of the July 23, 2013 meeting is for the GLAB to discuss its recommendations. Also, periodic opportunities for the public to provide input to the GLAB for consideration will be provided after the July 23, 2013 public meeting.

 

    Access an announcement with further details and links (click here). Access an agenda and other materials in support of the meeting from the GLRI website (click here). [#GLakes/GLRI]

EPA RFP For Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

Jul 15: U.S. EPA issued a Request for Applications soliciting proposals from states, municipalities, tribes, universities and nonprofit organizations for Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) grants to fund new projects to restore and protect the Great Lakes. Up to $9.5 million will be available during the current funding cycle. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis for projects in the Great Lakes basin. Applications are due August 14, 2013. 

    EPA Great Lakes National Program Manager Susan Hedman said, "This round of Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding will be used for projects that reduce exposure to toxic substances from fish consumption, control invasive species, and improve water quality in the Great Lakes. The work funded by these grants will help to restore and protect waters that are essential to the health and jobs of millions of Americans." A webinar explaining the grant application process will be held at 11:00 AM, Eastern Time, on Tuesday, July 30.

 

    Access the Request for Applications and information about applying for GLRI grants (click here). Access the GLRI website for more information (click here). [GLakes/GLRI] 

Great Lakes and Mississippi River Interbasin Study Newsletter

Jul 10: The Great Lakes and Mississippi River Interbasin Study (GLMRIS), managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Chicago District has release the latest issue of its newsletter on the Study (Volume 3, Issue 2). The issue includes: the GLMRIS Report and Agency Technical Reviews; updated pathway reports on areas outside of the Chicago Area Waterway System (Focus Area 2) posted; the 2013 Asian carp monitoring plan and distribution maps; and more.

 

    Access the newsletter (click here). Access the GLMRIS website for more information (click here). [GLakes/GLMRIS]

NWF Sues EPA Over Weak Ballast Water General Permit

Jul 10: The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) announced that it is suing the U.S. EPA to force the agency to adopt measures that will effectively stop vessels discharging ballast water from introducing and spreading harmful aquatic invasive species. NWF indicated in a release that ballast water invaders such as zebra mussels, quagga mussels, spiny water fleas and round gobies have turned the Great Lakes ecosystem on its head, altering the food web and threatening the health of native fish and wildlife. Non-native ballast water invaders cost Great Lakes citizens, utilities, cities and businesses at least $200 million annually in damages and control costs.

    NWF initiated the lawsuit in United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. EPA issued a permit to regulate ballast water discharges in late April [See WIMS 3/28/13 & WIMS 3/29/13], the result of a long legal battle in which conservation organizations forced the Federal agency to comply with the Clean Water Act. NWF says the ensuing permit, however, fails to protect U.S. waters from ballast water invaders.

    Marc Smith, senior policy manager for NWF said, "The EPA's permit will not adequately protect the Great Lakes and other U.S. waters from ballast water invaders. This weak permit leaves the door open for future harm to our environment and economy. We can do better -- and need to do better -- if we are to protect our fish and wildlife and their habitat for future generations."

    On March 28, 2013, when EPA announced the final vessel general permit which covers commercial vessels greater than 79 feet in length, excluding military and recreational vessels, and will replace the 2008  permit on December 19, 2013, when the old permit expires. EPA said the permit regulates 27 specific discharge categories, and will also provide improvements to the efficiency of the permit process, and clarify discharge requirements (see link below for details).

     Access a release from NWF (click here). Access EPA's overall Vessel Discharge website for more information(click here). [#Water, #GLakes]

Latest Council Of Great Lakes Governors' Newsletter

Jul 8: The Council of Great Lakes Governors (CGLG) announced the availability of the July 2013 edition of its newsletter, THE COMPASS. Highlights in the issue include: A Message from Council Co-Chair Illinois Governor Pat Quinn; Governors and Premiers Set New Regional Agenda; Governors and Premiers Create Regional Maritime Initiative; Council Launches Water Partnership; Council to Lead Trade Mission to South America; Great Lakes USA Attends International Pow Wow 2013.

 

    Access the latest and previous issues of the newsletter (click here). Access the CGLG website for more information (click here). [#GLakes]

 

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NOAA Annual HAB Outlook For Western Lake Erie

Jul 2: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and its research partners predict that the 2013 western Lake Erie harmful algal bloom (HAB) season will have a significant bloom of cyanobacteria, a toxic blue-green algae, this summer. The predicted bloom is expected to be larger than last year, but considerably less than the record-setting 2011 bloom. Bloom impacts will vary across the lake's western basin. This marks the second time NOAA has issued an annual outlook for western Lake Erie. Holly Bamford, Ph.D., NOAA's assistant administrator for the National Ocean Service said, "This annual forecast and NOAA's weekly bulletins provide the most advanced ecological information possible to Great Lakes businesses and resource managers so they can save time and money on the things they do that drive recreational activities and the economy."

Harmful algae blooms were common on western Lake Erie in the 1960s and 1970s. After a lapse of nearly 20 years, they have been steadily increasing over the past decade. As an early warning system, NOAA has issued weekly HABS bulletins for western Lake Erie since 2008 through the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS). The weekly bulletins will continue in 2013. Jeff Reutter, Ph.D., director of Ohio State University's Sea Grant program and Stone Laboratory said, "This information is critical for tourists, coastal businesses, water treatment plant operators, state and regional natural resource managers and scientists throughout Ohio, the region, and the country. In Ohio, as part of our Phosphorus Task Force II, we have used information from the NOAA model to help us target reductions in the amount of phosphorus going into the lake that would eliminate, or greatly reduce, the HABs."

    The 2013 seasonal forecast, made possible using NOAA models developed by NCCOS scientists, uses an 11-year data set of nutrients flowing into Lake Erie, collected by the Heidelberg University's National Center for Water Quality Research, and analysis of satellite data from the European Space Agency's Envisat. In addition to the satellite monitoring of the lake, NOAA's Great Lakes Environmental Research  Laboratory, Ohio State University's Sea Grant Program and Stone Laboratory, Heidelberg University, the University of Toledo, and Ohio EPA will be collecting key measurements from the lake as the summer progresses. Those results will provide valuable information to regional managers and assist NCCOS scientists in further refining the accuracy of this forecast's models.

    Access a release from NOAA with multiple links to related information (click here). [#GLakes]

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