Feb 4: The Great Lakes Fishery Commission (GLFC) has completed five separate research projects related to the Great Lakes fishery, invasive species, and management. The projects deal with the possible factors leading to the dramatic decline of the American eel; luring the round goby into traps by the scent of male round goby urine; the ecology of a diverse and highly threatened group of fishes called the deepwater ciscoes; improving the inclusion of stakeholders in decisions affecting fisheries; and estimating the diets of the sea lamprey, one of the most devastating invasive species in the Great Lakes.
Access a release with a brief summary of each project and links to further information of each (click here).
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
On-Line Great Lakes Chemicals Fate Model
Jan 29: Syracuse Research Corporation (SRC) has produced an online, interactive modeling application for predicting the fate of chemicals within the Great Lakes environment. The project, led by Dr. Mario Citra of SRC, set out to produce an easy-to-use application that would allow users to determine several important factors relating to how chemicals behave once they have been released into the Great Lakes environment. These include: Where in the environment does the chemical tend to accumulate (such as in water, soils, sediments, air or fish)? How long is the chemical retained in the Great Lakes environment before it degrades or is transported to another region? What concentration in the environment would be produced by a given level of emission? What is the potential for a chemical to travel to the Great Lakes region from far away? And more.
By providing this capability through an online interface that is easy to access and use, the model gives users a powerful tool for answering their questions about the behavior of a given chemical in the Great Lakes system. The modeling program may be run with as little input as the chemical’s Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) identification number (of which 33 million are available) although more detailed characteristics may be input as well. The model’s ease of use and availability over the Internet make it a great tool for use in educational settings.
While much information can be generated by the model without specifying chemical quantities, knowing how much of a chemical is emitted into the environment allows a user to obtain even more information, such as predicted concentrations in air, water, soils, sediments and fish. It also allows the user to determine the likelihood that a certain concentration known to be a high-risk level would be exceeded. While users can enter their own emissions information, the website also includes links to pesticide application data from the CropLife Foundation and air emissions data from the Great Lakes Regional Toxic Air Emissions Inventory, which together provide useful release information on more than 350 toxic substances.
The model is configured to represent each of the five Great Lakes basins (Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie and Superior). The user is able to choose which of these five they would like to use as the basis for the model. While other models may be more complex or offer additional capabilities, this modeling program has the advantage of being easy to access and use. Potential applications include investigating the behavior of new or unstudied chemicals; comparing emissions and monitoring data; and calculating expected concentrations of chemicals in the environment or the likelihood that such concentrations will exceed known risk values.
Access an announcement on the model (click here). Access the model on the SRC website (click here). Access additional model documentation (click here).
By providing this capability through an online interface that is easy to access and use, the model gives users a powerful tool for answering their questions about the behavior of a given chemical in the Great Lakes system. The modeling program may be run with as little input as the chemical’s Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) identification number (of which 33 million are available) although more detailed characteristics may be input as well. The model’s ease of use and availability over the Internet make it a great tool for use in educational settings.
While much information can be generated by the model without specifying chemical quantities, knowing how much of a chemical is emitted into the environment allows a user to obtain even more information, such as predicted concentrations in air, water, soils, sediments and fish. It also allows the user to determine the likelihood that a certain concentration known to be a high-risk level would be exceeded. While users can enter their own emissions information, the website also includes links to pesticide application data from the CropLife Foundation and air emissions data from the Great Lakes Regional Toxic Air Emissions Inventory, which together provide useful release information on more than 350 toxic substances.
The model is configured to represent each of the five Great Lakes basins (Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie and Superior). The user is able to choose which of these five they would like to use as the basis for the model. While other models may be more complex or offer additional capabilities, this modeling program has the advantage of being easy to access and use. Potential applications include investigating the behavior of new or unstudied chemicals; comparing emissions and monitoring data; and calculating expected concentrations of chemicals in the environment or the likelihood that such concentrations will exceed known risk values.
Access an announcement on the model (click here). Access the model on the SRC website (click here). Access additional model documentation (click here).
Thursday, January 24, 2008
New USGS Genetic Research On VHS Fish Virus
Jan 23: New genetic research by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) indicates that the devastating virus that has killed thousands of fish in the Great Lakes over the past few years is different from other strains of the same virus found in Europe and the West Coast of the United States. The Great Lakes' strain of viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV) is the only strain outside of Europe that has been associated with significant die-offs of freshwater fish species.
Dr. Jim Winton, a fisheries scientist at the USGS Western Fisheries Research Center (WFRC) in Seattle said, "VHSV is a rhabdovirus that is the causative agent of one of the most dangerous viral diseases of fish. The virus belongs to a family of viruses that includes rabies. The disease causes internal bleeding in fish, but is not harmful to people. This Great Lakes strain appears to have an exceptionally broad host range. Significant die-offs have occurred in muskellunge, freshwater drum, yellow perch, round goby, emerald shiners and gizzard shad."
Winton and co-authors Gael Kurath and William Batts recently authored a new USGS fact sheet that describes important genetic information about isolates of VHSV from Great Lakes region (Molecular Epidemiology of Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia Virus in the Great Lakes Region fact sheet). Other strains of the VHS virus are found in continental Europe, North Pacific Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, Baltic Sea and North Sea.
Genetic research at the WFRC and by colleagues from Canada showed that this strain of the virus was probably introduced into the Great Lakes in the last 5 to 10 years, and that the fish die-offs occurring among different species and in different lakes should be considered as one large ongoing epidemic. The USGS genetic research also indicated that the Great Lakes' strain of the virus was not from Europe, where three other strains of the virus occur, but more likely had its origin among marine or estuarine fish of the Atlantic seaboard of North America. The strain is genetically most like samples of VHSV recovered during 2000-2004 from diseased fish in areas of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, Canada.
The Great Lakes' strain has now been isolated from more than 25 species of fish in Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake St. Clair, Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, Saint Lawrence River and from inland lakes in New York, Michigan and Wisconsin. Experts fear the disease could potentially spread from the Great Lakes into new populations of native fish in the 31 states of the Mississippi River basin. Also, if VHS virus is introduced into the aquaculture industry, it could lead to trade restrictions as well as direct losses from the disease.
Regulatory agencies in the United States and Canada have already placed restrictions on the movement of fish or fish products that could pose a risk for the spread of VHS virus to regions outside of the known geographic range. These restrictions include requirements for viral examinations by standard methods.
Access a release from USGS (click here). Access the fact sheet (click here). Access more information on how to detect and confirm VHS virus from USGS's Aquatic and Endangered Resources Program (click here). Access a release from Wisconsin DNR and link to Wisconsin's VHS website (click here). Access Michigan DNR's VHS website for additional information (click here).
Dr. Jim Winton, a fisheries scientist at the USGS Western Fisheries Research Center (WFRC) in Seattle said, "VHSV is a rhabdovirus that is the causative agent of one of the most dangerous viral diseases of fish. The virus belongs to a family of viruses that includes rabies. The disease causes internal bleeding in fish, but is not harmful to people. This Great Lakes strain appears to have an exceptionally broad host range. Significant die-offs have occurred in muskellunge, freshwater drum, yellow perch, round goby, emerald shiners and gizzard shad."
Winton and co-authors Gael Kurath and William Batts recently authored a new USGS fact sheet that describes important genetic information about isolates of VHSV from Great Lakes region (Molecular Epidemiology of Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia Virus in the Great Lakes Region fact sheet). Other strains of the VHS virus are found in continental Europe, North Pacific Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, Baltic Sea and North Sea.
Genetic research at the WFRC and by colleagues from Canada showed that this strain of the virus was probably introduced into the Great Lakes in the last 5 to 10 years, and that the fish die-offs occurring among different species and in different lakes should be considered as one large ongoing epidemic. The USGS genetic research also indicated that the Great Lakes' strain of the virus was not from Europe, where three other strains of the virus occur, but more likely had its origin among marine or estuarine fish of the Atlantic seaboard of North America. The strain is genetically most like samples of VHSV recovered during 2000-2004 from diseased fish in areas of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, Canada.
The Great Lakes' strain has now been isolated from more than 25 species of fish in Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake St. Clair, Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, Saint Lawrence River and from inland lakes in New York, Michigan and Wisconsin. Experts fear the disease could potentially spread from the Great Lakes into new populations of native fish in the 31 states of the Mississippi River basin. Also, if VHS virus is introduced into the aquaculture industry, it could lead to trade restrictions as well as direct losses from the disease.
Regulatory agencies in the United States and Canada have already placed restrictions on the movement of fish or fish products that could pose a risk for the spread of VHS virus to regions outside of the known geographic range. These restrictions include requirements for viral examinations by standard methods.
Access a release from USGS (click here). Access the fact sheet (click here). Access more information on how to detect and confirm VHS virus from USGS's Aquatic and Endangered Resources Program (click here). Access a release from Wisconsin DNR and link to Wisconsin's VHS website (click here). Access Michigan DNR's VHS website for additional information (click here).
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
House Hearing On Improving Great Lakes Water Quality
Jan 23: House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, Chaired by Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) held a hearing entitled, Progress Toward Improving Water Quality in the Great Lakes. The Subcommittee received testimony from representatives from the U.S. EPA, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the International Joint Commission, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), and members of the United States House of Representatives on Great Lakes water quality. Representatives testifying included: Peter Visclosky (D-IN); Bart Stupak (D-MI); and Mark Kirk (R-IL); and Rahm Emanuel (D-IL).
GAO delivered testimony entitled, Great Lakes Initiative: EPA and States Have Made Progress, but Much Remains to Be Done If Water Quality Goals Are to Be Achieved (GAO-08-312T, January 23, 2007). GAO indicated that millions of people in the United States and Canada depend on the Great Lakes for drinking water, recreation, and economic livelihood. In 1995, EPA issued the Great Lakes Initiative (GLI). The GLI established water quality criteria to be used by states to establish pollutant discharge limits for some BCCs and other pollutants that are discharged by point sources. The GLI also allows states to include flexible permit implementation procedures (flexibilities) that allow facilities’ discharges to exceed GLI criteria.
GAO's testimony was based on its July 2005 report, Great Lakes Initiative: EPA Needs to Better Ensure the Complete and Consistent Implementation of Water Quality Standards (GAO-05-829) and updated information from EPA and the Great Lakes states. The statement addressed: (1) the status of EPA’s efforts to develop and approve methods to measure pollutants at the GLI water quality criteria levels, (2) the use of permit flexibilities, and (3) EPA’s actions to implement GAO’s 2005 recommendations.
GAO said in its 2005 report, it made a number of recommendations to EPA to help ensure full and consistent implementation of the GLI and to improve measures for monitoring progress toward achieving GLI’s goals. GAO said EPA has taken some actions to implement the recommendations. For example, EPA has begun to review the efforts and progress made by one category of facilities -- municipal wastewater treatment plants -- to reduce their mercury discharges into the basin. However, until EPA gathers more information on the implementation of GLI and the impact it has had on reducing pollutant discharges from point sources, as we recommended, it will not be able to fully assess progress toward GLI goals.
EPA testified that, "While significant and emerging challenges remain, the Great Lakes have made a dramatic comeback from severely polluted conditions - 30 to 40 years ago when the Lakes were seemingly on the verge of collapse... We have also made significant progress in incorporating revised permit limits into NPDES permits that reflect the Guidance [GLI]. The percentage of NPDES permitted discharges to the Lakes or major tributaries that had permit limits reflecting the Guidance's water quality standards has increased from 62% in 2002 to 95% in 2007." The Agency cited and listed many of the accomplishments of the recent State of the Great Lakes 2007 [See WIMS 6/7/07 and below].
Access the hearing website for background information and links to all testimony (click here). Access the 2007 Highlights Report on the State of the Great Lakes 2007 and other documents about Great Lakes indicators and the SOLEC website (click here); or the Binational website (click here).
GAO delivered testimony entitled, Great Lakes Initiative: EPA and States Have Made Progress, but Much Remains to Be Done If Water Quality Goals Are to Be Achieved (GAO-08-312T, January 23, 2007). GAO indicated that millions of people in the United States and Canada depend on the Great Lakes for drinking water, recreation, and economic livelihood. In 1995, EPA issued the Great Lakes Initiative (GLI). The GLI established water quality criteria to be used by states to establish pollutant discharge limits for some BCCs and other pollutants that are discharged by point sources. The GLI also allows states to include flexible permit implementation procedures (flexibilities) that allow facilities’ discharges to exceed GLI criteria.
GAO's testimony was based on its July 2005 report, Great Lakes Initiative: EPA Needs to Better Ensure the Complete and Consistent Implementation of Water Quality Standards (GAO-05-829) and updated information from EPA and the Great Lakes states. The statement addressed: (1) the status of EPA’s efforts to develop and approve methods to measure pollutants at the GLI water quality criteria levels, (2) the use of permit flexibilities, and (3) EPA’s actions to implement GAO’s 2005 recommendations.
GAO said in its 2005 report, it made a number of recommendations to EPA to help ensure full and consistent implementation of the GLI and to improve measures for monitoring progress toward achieving GLI’s goals. GAO said EPA has taken some actions to implement the recommendations. For example, EPA has begun to review the efforts and progress made by one category of facilities -- municipal wastewater treatment plants -- to reduce their mercury discharges into the basin. However, until EPA gathers more information on the implementation of GLI and the impact it has had on reducing pollutant discharges from point sources, as we recommended, it will not be able to fully assess progress toward GLI goals.
EPA testified that, "While significant and emerging challenges remain, the Great Lakes have made a dramatic comeback from severely polluted conditions - 30 to 40 years ago when the Lakes were seemingly on the verge of collapse... We have also made significant progress in incorporating revised permit limits into NPDES permits that reflect the Guidance [GLI]. The percentage of NPDES permitted discharges to the Lakes or major tributaries that had permit limits reflecting the Guidance's water quality standards has increased from 62% in 2002 to 95% in 2007." The Agency cited and listed many of the accomplishments of the recent State of the Great Lakes 2007 [See WIMS 6/7/07 and below].
Access the hearing website for background information and links to all testimony (click here). Access the 2007 Highlights Report on the State of the Great Lakes 2007 and other documents about Great Lakes indicators and the SOLEC website (click here); or the Binational website (click here).
$9 Million Great Lakes Watershed Restoration Grant Program
Jan 22: ArcelorMittal, the world's number one steel company, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) announced the ArcelorMittal Great Lakes Restoration Program. The new grant program is funded by a $2.1 million donation from the ArcelorMittal USA Foundation that will be matched by a $3 million investment by NFWF and Federal agency partners including: U.S. EPA, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The contributions will then be leveraged by grantees to enable a total on-the-ground impact of $9 million throughout the Great Lakes watershed.
According to a release, the ArcelorMittal Great Lakes Restoration Program is an important step towards restoring the ecological integrity of the Great Lakes Basin. The program is designed to address the habitat and ecosystem restoration goals developed through the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration (GLRC). The Regional Collaboration, created by a Presidential Executive Order, is a wide-ranging, public-private cooperative effort to design and implement a strategy for the restoration, protection, and sustainable use of the Great Lakes. Specifically, ArcelorMittal funds will support wetland protection and restoration across the Great Lakes Region.
Lou Schorsch, President and CEO, ArcelorMittal Flat Carbon Americas said, “A vibrant, sustainable Great Lakes is important to our business and our community. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to lead the effort in improving the fish and wildlife habitat in the Great Lakes. Our USA Foundation is committed to supporting sustainability through the focus areas of education, the environment and support of healthy and safe communities where our employees and customers work and live.” Benjamin Grumbles, Assistant Administrator for Water at U.S. EPA said, “This seed money grows innovative partnerships to restore and sustain the greatness in the Lakes. The world's largest freshwater ecosystem benefits when governments and the private sector team up to achieve the environmental and economic goals of the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration.”
Jeff Trandahl, Executive Director of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation said, “Ever increasing pressure on our fresh water ecosystems underscores the need to protect and restore and Great Lakes, which represent ten percent of all fresh water globally. We are proud to work with ArcelorMittal and our federal, state, and local partners to move Great Lakes restoration forward. ArcelorMittal's commitment sets a high bar for corporate commitment to restoring the ecological integrity of the Great Lakes system.”
Access a release from NFWF (click here). Access more information on the Great Lakes Watershed Restoration Program including applicant eligibility, eligible projects, and submission requirements (click here).
According to a release, the ArcelorMittal Great Lakes Restoration Program is an important step towards restoring the ecological integrity of the Great Lakes Basin. The program is designed to address the habitat and ecosystem restoration goals developed through the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration (GLRC). The Regional Collaboration, created by a Presidential Executive Order, is a wide-ranging, public-private cooperative effort to design and implement a strategy for the restoration, protection, and sustainable use of the Great Lakes. Specifically, ArcelorMittal funds will support wetland protection and restoration across the Great Lakes Region.
Lou Schorsch, President and CEO, ArcelorMittal Flat Carbon Americas said, “A vibrant, sustainable Great Lakes is important to our business and our community. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to lead the effort in improving the fish and wildlife habitat in the Great Lakes. Our USA Foundation is committed to supporting sustainability through the focus areas of education, the environment and support of healthy and safe communities where our employees and customers work and live.” Benjamin Grumbles, Assistant Administrator for Water at U.S. EPA said, “This seed money grows innovative partnerships to restore and sustain the greatness in the Lakes. The world's largest freshwater ecosystem benefits when governments and the private sector team up to achieve the environmental and economic goals of the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration.”
Jeff Trandahl, Executive Director of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation said, “Ever increasing pressure on our fresh water ecosystems underscores the need to protect and restore and Great Lakes, which represent ten percent of all fresh water globally. We are proud to work with ArcelorMittal and our federal, state, and local partners to move Great Lakes restoration forward. ArcelorMittal's commitment sets a high bar for corporate commitment to restoring the ecological integrity of the Great Lakes system.”
Access a release from NFWF (click here). Access more information on the Great Lakes Watershed Restoration Program including applicant eligibility, eligible projects, and submission requirements (click here).
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Groups Say Seaway Study Missed Sustainable Shipping Opportunity
Jan 22: According to a joint release from several organizations, in the newly released Final Report of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Study [See WIMS 11/26/07], the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has backed away from Seaway expansion, but missed an enormous opportunity to develop a blueprint for a sustainable shipping system argue forty-four groups from across the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River region. The governments of Canada and the United States released the binational study report on November 26, 2007.
Jennifer Caddick, Save the River Executive Director said, "The Corps has finally recognized what communities along the St. Lawrence River and Great Lakes have known for some time -- expansion is the wrong direction for the River and Lakes. Unfortunately, this report falls short of articulating the right direction by trivializing the environmental impacts of shipping on the Lakes and River." Jennifer Nalbone, Campaign Director from Great Lakes United said, "The Final Report appears to justify 'business as usual' by conveniently ignoring the impacts of invasive species and climate change. Environment Canada estimate hundreds of millions are spent every year by Great Lakes communities trying to deal with zebra mussels and other invasive species introduced by ocean-vessels. The viability of future navigation with the looming impacts of climate change on levels and flows is also a huge gap in the report’s credibility."
The sentiments were expressed in a letter sent to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in response to the study. The letter was signed by 44 groups in the United States and Canada, representing a diverse community of interests ranging from environmental, conservation, fishing, boating, residential, labor, tribal, and First Nations. While the binational report claims to envision a "truly sustainable" navigation system, it fails to address many of the destructive practices of the shipping industry on the Great Lakes. Ranking at the top of these threats are invasive species, which hitch a ride in the ballast tanks of ocean-going vessels and have caused tremendous damage to the ecosystem of the River and Lakes. The binational report also fails to prepare the shipping industry for a potentially enormous reduction of vessel capacity under future climate change scenarios.
Access a release from the groups (click here). Access the letter and complete list of the signing organizations (click here). Access the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Study website and links to the final report, FAQs and related information (click here).
Jennifer Caddick, Save the River Executive Director said, "The Corps has finally recognized what communities along the St. Lawrence River and Great Lakes have known for some time -- expansion is the wrong direction for the River and Lakes. Unfortunately, this report falls short of articulating the right direction by trivializing the environmental impacts of shipping on the Lakes and River." Jennifer Nalbone, Campaign Director from Great Lakes United said, "The Final Report appears to justify 'business as usual' by conveniently ignoring the impacts of invasive species and climate change. Environment Canada estimate hundreds of millions are spent every year by Great Lakes communities trying to deal with zebra mussels and other invasive species introduced by ocean-vessels. The viability of future navigation with the looming impacts of climate change on levels and flows is also a huge gap in the report’s credibility."
The sentiments were expressed in a letter sent to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in response to the study. The letter was signed by 44 groups in the United States and Canada, representing a diverse community of interests ranging from environmental, conservation, fishing, boating, residential, labor, tribal, and First Nations. While the binational report claims to envision a "truly sustainable" navigation system, it fails to address many of the destructive practices of the shipping industry on the Great Lakes. Ranking at the top of these threats are invasive species, which hitch a ride in the ballast tanks of ocean-going vessels and have caused tremendous damage to the ecosystem of the River and Lakes. The binational report also fails to prepare the shipping industry for a potentially enormous reduction of vessel capacity under future climate change scenarios.
Access a release from the groups (click here). Access the letter and complete list of the signing organizations (click here). Access the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Study website and links to the final report, FAQs and related information (click here).
Thursday, January 17, 2008
EPA Posts Comments & Transcript On U.S. Steel Gary Works
Jan 17: U.S. EPA Region 5 has announced that comments it has received on its objections to a draft wastewater treatment permit for U.S. Steel Gary Works, in addition to a transcript of a December 11 public hearing on the issue [See WIMS 11/24/07], are available on its website. Copies will also be available at EPA's regional office in Chicago and the Gary Public Library, 220 W. 5th Street. EPA said it received more than 300 comments by the close of the comment period December 28, 2007. The Agency is currently evaluating the comments, will prepare responses to them and make sure that the Indiana Department of Environmental Management is informed of any significant issues raised.
Access an EPA announcement (click here). Access the comments and related information on the draft permit (click here). Access extensive information from IDEM on the permit (click here).
Access an EPA announcement (click here). Access the comments and related information on the draft permit (click here). Access extensive information from IDEM on the permit (click here).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
