University awards grants for study of lake levels

<> University awards grants for study of lake levels - The University's Graham Sustainability Institute awarded seven grants, totaling $70,000, to American and Canadian researchers studying how Michigan residents are adjusting to the fluctuations.

Bill to cut Lake Erie toxic algae goes to Ohio governor

<> Bill to cut Lake Erie toxic algae goes to Ohio governor - New rules for farmers aimed at reducing the toxic algae in Lake Erie won unanimous approval from the Legislature on Wednesday and were headed to the governor for his expected signature. Ohio Senate Bill 1 – passed unanimously in House & Senate on March 25, 2015 EDITORIAL: A cleaner Lake Erie - As lawmakers in both houses negotiated a compromise, Governor Kasich reportedly conveyed hard truths to Statehouse lobbyists and their House helpers about what he wanted to see in the bill before he would sign it.

Proposed fracking ban vital for protecting Great Lakes, says Council of Canadians

<> Proposed fracking ban vital for protecting Great Lakes, says Council of Canadians - March 25, 2015 Toronto – Peter Tabuns, MPP for Toronto-Danforth, introduced a bill that would ban fracking in Ontario -- Other provinces such as New Brunswick and Nova Scotia already have similar bans

Canada Gets failing grade on protecting freshwater

<> Canada Gets failing grade on protecting freshwater - A report, Blue Betrayal, launched by the Council of Canadians, chronicles the Harper government's assault on Canada's freshwater

COMMENTARY: With epic drought, is it time for a national water policy?

<> COMMENTARY: With epic drought, is it time for a national water policy? - Currently, the Council of the Great Lakes Governors have an agreement that prevents water diversion to any state or locality but its members. Perhaps it's time to have a discussion about a national water policy

Agency to fund input on lakeside nuke waste facility

<> Agency to fund input on lakeside nuke waste facility - The Joint Review Panel, which held hearings on a proposed deep geologic repository in 2013 and 2014, will submit its environmental assessment by May 6 -- the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency is offering funding to aboriginal groups and participants who would like a say in the conditions placed on the nuclear waste repository should it be approved. CEAA Participant Funding Program

Great Lakes Economic Forum

<> Great Lakes Economic Forum - The Council of the Great Lakes Region will host the premier Great Lakes Economic Forum on April 26-28, 2015. The Forum will provide a venue for Great Lakes leaders to share ideas and insights that will help shape economic policy, boost the region's competitive edge and secure its long-term success.

Great Lakes land cover change chronicled in new NOAA report

<> Great Lakes land cover change chronicled in new NOAA report - A new NOAA report says four percent of the U.S. Great Lakes region saw changes to its land cover--paved surfaces, trees, forests, grasses, and wetlands--from 1996 to 2010 -- that figure represents 7,144 square miles, almost the equivalent of Lake Ontario's surface area. Additional Lake Michigan Basin Land Cover Change Report - A special basin-focused report covering 1985 to 2010

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Asian Carp Canada GLIN Site of the Month

<> Asian Carp Canada GLIN Site of the Month - Asian Carp Canada, built and maintained by the Invasive Species Centre, has been selected to be the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN) Site of the Month for March 2015

Stabenow vows to fight for Great Lakes funding, pipeline review

<> Stabenow vows to fight for Great Lakes funding, pipeline review - Stabenow said she is not satisfied with ongoing efforts to bolster the public trust in a set of more than 60-year-old pipelines carrying petroleum under water in the Straits of Mackinac -- Citing advanced technology available to automatically stop the flow of oil through a pipeline in the event of a rupture or spill as one example, she said it's time to take precautionary action against such a threat to the Great Lakes. Michigan Petroleum Pipeline Task Force website

When invasive Asian carp look for love in all the right places

<> When invasive Asian carp look for love in all the right places - Only 10 Asian carp needed to establish population in Great Lakes Landmarking and strong Allee thresholds - Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

Lake Michigan salmon populations remain strong, study shows

<> Lake Michigan salmon populations remain strong, study shows - MDNR northern Lake Michigan fisheries supervisor Dave Boyarski says experts from across the region are seeing the salmon taking a firm hold of the ecosystem and breeding without the help of the hatcheries.

Council of Great Lakes Governors' COMPASS Newsletter

<> Council of Great Lakes Governors' COMPASS Newsletter - A Message from Council Chair Michigan Governor Rick Snyder; States and Provinces Unite to Fight AIS; and more. . .

Graham announces 7 seed grants for studies of adaptation to Great Lakes water-level changes

<> Graham announces 7 seed grants for studies of adaptation to Great Lakes water-level changes - The U-M Graham Sustainability Institute announced seven grants, totaling $70,000, to U.S. and Canadian researchers who will use the $10,000, six-month planning grants to study policy options and management actions available to residents, businesses and government officials in shoreline communities impacted by Great Lakes water-level fluctuations.

Mapping the Great Lakes' Wetlands

<> Mapping the Great Lakes' Wetlands - Fluorescent bands of color outline the Great Lakes on a new, comprehensive map of the region's coastal wetlands. This publicly available map is the first of its kind on such a broad scale — and the only one to trump political boundaries Comprehensive map of the region's coastal wetlands

Upton, Pallone Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Reduce Harmful Pollution in the Great Lakes

<> Upton, Pallone Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Reduce Harmful Pollution in the Great Lakes - Reps. Fred Upton (R-MI), joined and Frank Pallone (D-NJ) are introducing the Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015 to prohibit the sale or distribution of personal care products that contain synthetic plastic microbeads, effective January 1, 2018. H.R. 1321: To prohibit the sale or distribution of cosmetics containing synthetic plastic microbeads ACC Welcomes Legislation to Phase out Microbeads - We commend Chairman Upton and Ranking Member Pallone for their leadership on this important issue.

Midwest initiative funds digital collection of Great Lakes environmental history

<> Midwest initiative funds digital collection of Great Lakes environmental history - The project aims to collect digital aspects of Great Lakes environmental history in one place. More information about The Global Midwest initiative

Ballast Water Bill -- S.373 -- Would Open Coasts and Great Lakes to Invasive Species Assault

<> Ballast Water Bill Would Open Coasts and Great Lakes to Invasive Species Assault - The US Senate Commerce Committee reported a bill to the Senate that would exempt ship ballast water—the source of numerous damaging invasive species infestations in the Great Lakes, inland waterways and sensitive waters along the entire American coastline—from the Clean Water Act. S. 373: Vessel Incidental Discharge Act

Does Great Lakes ice cover predict West Michigan weather?

<> Does Great Lakes ice cover predict West Michigan weather? - As winter starts to wind down, there is speculation about how the cold lakes will influence weather around the region as we transition into spring and summer.