Study: Lake Erie silt dumping isn't fueling algae

Study: Lake Erie silt dumping isn't fueling algae - Study released by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers found that silt dumped into the lake isn't a primary source of the phosphorus that feeds the algae, which produces toxins that this summer fouled the tap water for 400,000 people in Ohio and southeastern Michigan.

Great Lakes in unprecedented danger, Chicago mayor says

Great Lakes in unprecedented danger, Chicago mayor says - The discussion is no longer just about the environmental health of the five big lakes. It's also about the health of the millions of people who rely on them for their drinking water.

Coalition Supports New Great Lakes Action Plan

Coalition Supports New Great Lakes Action Plan - The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition is supporting a new Great Lakes action plan that will guide federal restoration efforts for the next five years. 

Federal Agencies Announce 5-Year Great Lakes Restoration Action Plan

Federal Agencies Announce 5-Year Great Lakes Restoration Action Plan - At a meeting of Great Lakes Mayors in Chicago, EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy  released a new Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) Action Plan that lays out steps that federal agencies will take during the next five years to protect water quality, control invasive species and restore habitat in the largest surface fresh water system in the world. 

 

Environmental Information Specialists -- WIMS Daily Environmental HotSheet -- eNewsUSA blog -- EcoBizPort.com

Microplastic pollution widespread in St. Lawrence River

Microplastic pollution widespread in St. Lawrence River - Canadian scientists say they've found 2-millimeter plastic microbeads widely distributed along the bottom of the St. Lawrence River.

Legislators oppose limiting states' ability to regulate ballast water discharges

Letter from caucus members expresses opposition to federal legislation limiting states' ability to regulate ballast water discharges - Close to 50 state legislators from the Great Lakes region are urging the U.S. Senate to reject federal legislation that would prevent states from establishing their own tougher standards on ballast water discharges. S.2094 was passed by a Senate committee in July. 

• Access legislative details for S.2094

U.S. Resolutions opposing permanent storage of nuclear waste in Great Lakes Basin

MI Senators Levin, Stabenow introduce Senate companion to Rep. Kildee House resolution opposing permanent storage of nuclear waste in Great Lakes Basin - Oppose a Canadian proposal to build a permanent nuclear waste repository in the Great Lakes Basin. The measure is a companion resolution to one introduced by Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Flint, earlier this month. The Senate resolution is co-sponsored by Sens. Debbie Stabenow, D-MI, Mark Kirk, R-IL, and Tammy Baldwin, D-WI.

Michigan officials fight proposed Lake Huron nuke waste storage

Michigan officials fight proposed Lake Huron nuke waste storage - Residents of Michigan's Thumb region are looking across Lake Huron with some concern as the Canadian utility provider. . .

Great Lakes racing to prepare for new kind of oil spill

Great Lakes racing to prepare for new kind of oil spill - Bitumen from tar sands are heavier and sink to the bottom in fresh water

 

Environmental Information Specialists -- WIMS Daily Environmental HotSheet -- eNewsUSA blog -- EcoBizPort.com

MI Gov. Snyder Should Act On Great Lakes Oil Spill Threat

MI Gov. Snyder Should Act On Great Lakes Oil Spill Threat - For Immediate Release: Monday, Sept. 15, 2014. Citizens groups called on Gov. Rick Snyder to take immediate steps toward protecting Michigan from oil pipelines running through the Straits of Mackinac, in the wake of revelations that the United States Coast Guard cannot effectively respond to a major heavy oil spill in the Great Lakes.

 

Environmental Information Specialists -- WIMS Daily Environmental HotSheet -- eNewsUSA blog -- EcoBizPort.com

Environmental group calling for construction of 'far-offshore wind farms in Ontario

Environmental group calling for construction of 'far-offshore wind farms in Ontario - Ontario will miss a huge opportunity to create jobs and protect the environment if it doesn't embrace building wind farms in the Great Lakes, an environmental group is arguing -- Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment

 

Environmental Information Specialists -- WIMS Daily Environmental HotSheet -- eNewsUSA blog -- EcoBizPort.com

Members of Congress press two bills on Lake Erie toxin

Members of Congress press two bills on Lake Erie toxin - At least four members of Ohio's congressional delegation are trying to fast-track efforts for a national standard to control western Lake Erie's primary algae toxin while also seeking more federal money for infrastructure projects 

 

Environmental Information Specialists -- WIMS Daily Environmental HotSheet -- eNewsUSA blog -- EcoBizPort.com

Coast Guard: We can't adequately respond to Great Lakes heavy oil spill

Coast Guard: We can't adequately respond to Great Lakes heavy oil spill - The U.S. Coast Guard and other responders are not adequately equipped or prepared for a "heavy oil" spill on the Great Lakes, according to a Coast Guard commander who is pushing for action.

 

Environmental Information Specialists -- WIMS Daily Environmental HotSheet -- eNewsUSA blog -- EcoBizPort.com

MI Senators Stabenow, Levin announce nearly $8 million for Great Lakes habitat restoration

MI Senators Stabenow, Levin announce nearly $8 million for Great Lakes habitat restoration - Support for the Great Lakes Commission to lead a regional partnership focusing on habitat restoration in the Lakes. 

Plans for a nuclear waste storage facility near Lake Huron face a public hearing

Plans for a nuclear waste storage facility near Lake Huron face a public hearing - Canadian officials will open a public hearing Tuesday looking at plans for a nuclear waste storage facility very close to Lake Huron. . .

 

Environmental Information Specialists -- WIMS Daily Environmental HotSheet -- eNewsUSA blog -- EcoBizPort.com

Great Lakes Agencies to monitor grass carp on Lake Erie

Michigan DNR to conduct field exercise with other Great Lakes agencies to monitor grass carp on Lake Erie - Agencies will conduct an extensive field exercise in western Lake Erie Sept. 9-11 to test response capabilities for invasive bighead and silver carp and other aquatic invasive species.

 

Environmental Information Specialists -- WIMS Daily Environmental HotSheet -- eNewsUSA blog -- EcoBizPort.com

Plastic Waters: from the Great Lakes to the Oceans

Plastic Waters: from the Great Lakes to the Oceans - What do the Great Lakes and a camel's stomach have in common? Find out at Plastic Waters, an exhibit that shows the harmful effects of plastic pollution on the lakes and oceans -- and some inspiring solutions that can sustain the waters. . .

 

Environmental Information Specialists -- WIMS Daily Environmental HotSheet -- eNewsUSA blog -- EcoBizPort.com

Upper Great Lakes continue to rise

Upper Great Lakes continue to rise - Upper Great Lakes water levels continue to rise, with Lake Superior's monthly water level the highest in 18 years and lakes Michigan and Huron reaching the highest August level since 1998.

• Latest information on Lake Superior Outflow from International Lake Superior Board of Control

Lake Michigan ferry fight rages in Washington

Lake Michigan ferry fight rages in Washington - The battle has involved an alphabet soup of federal agencies from the EPA to the DOT, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle -- and the lake -- and a federal lobbying tab nearing $1 million.

Groups discuss oil pipelines during bridge walk

Groups discuss oil pipelines during bridge walk - Environmentalists will use the annual Mackinac Bridge walk to raise awareness about oil pipelines in the area and urge Gov. Rick Snyder to make sure they won't leak into the Great Lakes.