Innovative in-stream BMPs to reduce nonpoint source pollution and phosphorus loadings

<> Innovative in-stream BMPs to reduce nonpoint source pollution and phosphorus loadings - A series of technical reports, peer-reviewed publications, government publications, books and academic dissertations were reviewed to outline BMP advantages and disadvantages, compare their efficiencies and estimate their implementation and maintenance costs.

COMMENTARY: Bipartisan Great Lakes legislation deserves attention

<> COMMENTARY: Bipartisan Great Lakes legislation deserves attention -  Sponsored by Rep. David Joyce (R-Ohio) and co-sponsored by 13 Republicans and 12 Democrats, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2015 seeks to restore the lakes from toxic substances, prevent and control invasive species, protect and restore the health of nearshore systems, mitigate non-point source pollution, and protect wildlife and wetland habitats. H.R. 223: Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2015

Climate affects how the Great Lakes grow and flow

<> Climate affects how the Great Lakes grow and flow - New climate projections suggest increases in maximum and minimum daily temperatures in the Lake Michigan basin by as much as 8 degrees by 2099 USGS Report: Basin-Scale Simulation of Current and Potential Climate Changed Hydrologic Conditions in the Lake Michigan Basin, United States

Great Lakes Fishery Commission Hosts Workshop to Explore Lampricide Resistance

<> Great Lakes Fishery Commission Hosts Workshop to Explore Lampricide Resistance and the Development of Next Generation Lampricides -  GLC convened a first-of-its-kind workshop recently to explore the question: "Are sea lampreys becoming less susceptible to the lampricides that serve as the primary method of control for this destructive invader?"

Moves afoot to ban microbeads from personal care products

<> Moves afoot to ban microbeads from personal care products - Tiny plastic beads in personal care products are showing up in the Great Lakes and other water bodies amid growing worries about the danger they pose for humans, fish and other aquatic life.

Industrial Water Stewardship - A Look into the Future

<> Industrial Water Stewardship – A Look into the Future - A team led by the Council of Great Lakes Industries hosted a well-attended expert workshop last week in Ann Arbor, MI, that was focused on tools that industry can use to become better stewards of the region's water resources.

NWF Names Mike Shriberg to Oversee Great Lakes Regional Center

<> NWF Names Mike Shriberg to Oversee Great Lakes Regional Center - "He's got the experience, leadership and vision to help the National Wildlife Federation."

Law and Governance of the Great Lakes

<> Law and Governance of the Great Lakes – From Professor Noah Hall of Wayne State University Law School: Along with my friend and colleague Ben Houston, I've published a new article entitled simply "Law and Governance of the Great Lakes."

Great Lakes Commission releases water quality trading economic feasibility report

<> Great Lakes Commission releases water quality trading economic feasibility report - The report concludes a nine-month effort to determine whether water quality trading is economically feasible in the Lower Fox River Watershed. The Lower Fox River Basin Water Quality Trading Economic Feasibility Assessment - analyzes the potential demand for Water Quality Trading (WQT) credits by wastewater treatment facilities (WWTF) and others that hold water quality permits and the potential supply for those credits, primarily from upstream agricultural landowners but also from municipalities.

Asian carp eDNA found above barrier, feared to be in Great Lakes waters

<> Asian carp eDNA found above barrier, feared to be in Great Lakes waters - Several recent water samples came back positive for silver carp eDNA above an electrical barrier system near Chicago and environmentalists are concerned the species of Asian carp may have reached the Great Lakes.

New Data Show Multiple Asian Carp eDNA Hits Just Yards from Lake Michigan

<> New Data Show Multiple Asian Carp eDNA Hits Just Yards from Lake Michigan - A coalition of Great Lakes organizations indicate that Asian carp continue to knock on the door of the Great Lakes, based on eDNA sampling results released last week by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  Recently released U.S. Fish and Wildlife eDNA results

Senator Stabenow Announces Historic $40 Million Investment in Conservation Projects Across Michigan, Great Lakes Region

<> Senator Stabenow Announces Historic $40 Million Investment in Conservation Projects Across Michigan, Great Lakes Region - This major investment is a direct result of the Regional Conservation Partnership Program, created in Sen. Stabenow's 2014 Farm Bill, to protect our Great Lakes and invest in water, land, and wildlife conservation across the country.

Scientists: Great Lakes teeming with plastic

<> Scientists: Great Lakes teeming with plastic - First, it was tiny plastic beads from facial washes and toothpaste turning up in the Great Lakes, scientists now are raising concerns about fibers from synthetic clothing. Microplastic pollution in the surface waters of the Laurentian Great Lakes

Proposal would limit manure spreading by farmers

<> Proposal would limit manure spreading by farmers - Ohio's lawmakers are taking their first step toward slowing the spread of algae in Lake Erie since a toxin contaminated the drinking water for more than 400,000 people.

Binational Great Lakes Climate Quarterly Covering Sept-Nov 2014 Now Available On-line

<> Binational Great Lakes Climate Quarterly Covering Sept-Nov 2014 Now Available On-line - Fall 2014 had wild winds, lake effect storms, rapid temperature changes and above average water levels on all the Great Lakes for the first time since 1998.

Only 1 of 500 Mississippi River samples test positive for invasive carp

<> Only 1 of 500 Mississippi River samples test positive for invasive carp - Water samples from southeastern Minnesota pools of the Mississippi River that were collected in August and analyzed in December indicate only a small presence of bighead carp eDNA, according to the MN Department of Natural Resources. Bighead & Silver Carp eDNA Early Detection Results: 2014 Upper Mississippi River

Scientists: Weather plays big role in Lake Erie 'dead zones'

<> Scientists: Weather plays big role in Lake Erie 'dead zones' - A newly released study the Carnegie Institution for Science says cutting phosphorus levels is important for Lake Erie but isn't a cure-all -- drought and low flows from tributary rivers were even bigger factors. Drought Led to Massive "Dead Zone" in Lake Erie – Release from the Carnegie Institution for Science

Great Lakes Commission Semiannual Meeting and Great Lakes Day in Washington, DC

<> Great Lakes Commission Semiannual Meeting and Great Lakes Day in Washington, DC - Feb 24-26, 2015. Events will feature dialogue on Great Lakes priorities by regional leaders and members of Congress who play a critical role in shaping Great Lakes policies