May 8: Senator Carl Levin, (D-MI) and Senator George Voinovich (R-OH), co-chairmen of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force, introduced the bipartisan Great Lakes Legacy Act of 2008 (S. 2994), to expand on legislation passed six years ago. The bill aims to clean up contaminated expanses in the Great Lakes known as “Areas of Concern” (AOCs) within 10 years. The bill focuses on the forty-three AOCs that have been identified in the Great Lakes, 13 of which are in Michigan and four in Ohio. The bill would authorize $150 million annually for clean up of the AOCs. The cosponsors of the bill are Senators Debbie Stabenow, D-MI, Sherrod Brown, D-OH, Hillary Clinton, D-NY, Norm Coleman, R-MN, Amy Klobuchar, D-MN, Barack Obama, D-IL, and Charles Schumer, D-NY.
Senator Levin said, “The Great Lakes are an indispensable natural, economic and recreation resource for Michigan and many other states. We must continue the progress we’ve made on cleaning up the contaminated sites in the lakes. This legislation builds on the existing Legacy program in several crucial ways and will help protect and restore this unique treasure for the benefit of citizens throughout the Midwest and across the nation.”
Senator Voinovich said, “Protecting and restoring the Great Lakes has been a top priority of mine throughout my political career. As co-chair of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force, I am focused on working with the Great Lakes delegation to advance restoration efforts in this critical region. This bill will provide EPA with the tools and resources to remove contaminated sediment and clean up Areas of Concern and is a vital piece of a comprehensive strategy that is absolutely necessary to protect the Great Lakes for generations to come.”
The AOCs do not meet the water quality goals established by the United States and Canada in the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, mainly because of contaminated sediments from historic industrial activity. This contamination results in several detrimental consequences including fish advisories, degradation of fish and wildlife populations, taste and odor problems with drinking water, beach closures, and bird and animal deformities or reproductive problems.
The legislation would give EPA greater flexibility to manage funds by allowing the EPA to distribute funds directly to contractors and would provide relief to states from burdensome requirements. Under this bill, eligible projects would be expanded to include habitat restoration. Many Areas of Concern cannot be delisted until habitat restoration work is done. Also, the bill would give the EPA the discretion to provide Legacy Act monies to demonstration and pilot projects.
The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes (HOW) Coalition consisting of more than 90 zoos, aquariums, museums, and hunting, fishing, and environmental organizations representing millions of people, whose common goal is to restore and protect the Great Lakes issued a statement saying, "Cleaning up toxic pollution in the Great Lakes is essential to our public health, economy and way of life. We urge the U.S. Congress to pass and fund this important, efficient and successful clean-up program. . . The pace of clean-up has been inadequate. We can do better and need to do better. We know that healthy lakes go hand-in-hand with healthy communities and a healthy economy. The time to act is now.”
Access a release from Senators Levin and Voinovich including a brief summary of key provisions (click here). Access a release from the HOW Coalition (click here). Access legislative details for S. 2994 (click here). Access complete information on AOCs (click here).
Monday, May 12, 2008
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Great Lakes For Sale: From Whitecaps to Bottlecaps
May 7: The UM Press has released an announcement and interview with Dave Dempsey, author of, Great Lakes for sale from Whitecaps to Bottlecaps. According to the UM Press announcement, "This is a book for anyone interested in saving the Great Lakes, a huge fresh-water system that contains about 25 percent of the world's fresh surface water. The book asks -- and answers -- important questions about the export and diversion of Great Lakes water. Not only does Great Lakes for Sale examine past and present water-diversion practices; it also shows readers what they can do to save this natural resource." The book contains a Foreword by Congressman Bart Stupak (D-MI).
Congressman Stupak says, "Dave Dempsey's book is an important part of the effort to remind people why commercialization of Great Lakes water is a dangerous threat. It's not simply a matter of how much water in the short term is bottled and shipped away; the long-term threat is control of water and the possibility that private interests will assert ownership of the very substance of the Great Lakes. This is an issue that could determine the fate of the Great Lakes."
In the interview, Dempsey, former environmental advisor to Michigan Governor James Blanchard (1983-89) says, "The public trust doctrine reaches back to the Roman empire. It essentially says that some natural resources are so precious they are the common heritage of humankind. Water, the source of life, is one of those. By adhering to the doctrine, the people (through their governments) can assure Great Lakes water is accessible to all now and in the future – not hoarded and owned and sold by giant special interests." Dempsey is the author of two other books: Ruin and Recovery: Michigan's Rise as a Conservation Leader and William G. Milliken: Michigan's Passionate Moderate. He now lives in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Access the announcement and interview (click here). Access additional information from UM Press on obtaining the books and links to related websites (click here).
Congressman Stupak says, "Dave Dempsey's book is an important part of the effort to remind people why commercialization of Great Lakes water is a dangerous threat. It's not simply a matter of how much water in the short term is bottled and shipped away; the long-term threat is control of water and the possibility that private interests will assert ownership of the very substance of the Great Lakes. This is an issue that could determine the fate of the Great Lakes."
In the interview, Dempsey, former environmental advisor to Michigan Governor James Blanchard (1983-89) says, "The public trust doctrine reaches back to the Roman empire. It essentially says that some natural resources are so precious they are the common heritage of humankind. Water, the source of life, is one of those. By adhering to the doctrine, the people (through their governments) can assure Great Lakes water is accessible to all now and in the future – not hoarded and owned and sold by giant special interests." Dempsey is the author of two other books: Ruin and Recovery: Michigan's Rise as a Conservation Leader and William G. Milliken: Michigan's Passionate Moderate. He now lives in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Access the announcement and interview (click here). Access additional information from UM Press on obtaining the books and links to related websites (click here).
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Using Computer Models In Great Lakes Decision-Making
May 2: A new publication by researchers at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) and the University of Michigan -- The Use of Models in Great Lakes Decision Making, An Interdisciplinary Synthesis -- examines how computer simulation models were used in four case studies in the Great Lakes. The four cases were chosen because they represent the increasing demands being placed on both environmental managers and computer modelers. They covered high interest topics as diverse as fish stocking and lake levels. Dr. Jack Manno of ESF said, “Computer models have been used for a long time, but no one asked how to do the modeling to best promote good decision making. The issue is whether the models really answer the right questions.”
Manno said the researchers looked at how models were used and which ones worked well in addressing the issue at hand and communicating the model's meaning to stakeholders. He said the publication suggests a process that can be used when facing a policy issue that has environmental aspects. The research project, “The Development and Use of Predictive Models in Great Lakes Decision-Making: An Interdisciplinary Synthesis,” was funded with a one-year, $65,330 grant from New York Sea Grant.
Access an announcement of the report (click here). Access a copy of the 96-page publication (click here).
Manno said the researchers looked at how models were used and which ones worked well in addressing the issue at hand and communicating the model's meaning to stakeholders. He said the publication suggests a process that can be used when facing a policy issue that has environmental aspects. The research project, “The Development and Use of Predictive Models in Great Lakes Decision-Making: An Interdisciplinary Synthesis,” was funded with a one-year, $65,330 grant from New York Sea Grant.
Access an announcement of the report (click here). Access a copy of the 96-page publication (click here).
Monday, May 5, 2008
Next IJC Biennial Meeting October 6-7, 2009, In Windsor, Ontario
May 1: The International Joint Commission's (IJC's) next Biennial Meeting will take place on October 6-7, 2009, in Windsor, Ontario. The meetings will be held at the St. Clair Centre for the Arts. The IJC holds a Biennial Meeting every two years to hear from scientists and the public about issues relating to the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, and to assist the Commission with preparing its Biennial Report on the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. These reports assess the governments’ progress in meeting the goals of the Agreement to restore the physical, biological and chemical integrity of the Great Lakes waters. The upcoming meeting in Windsor will assist the IJC in preparing its 15th Biennial Report.
The IJC was established under the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 to help prevent and resolve disputes by the United States and Canada over the use of the waters they share. Under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, the Commission is charged with making a full report to the federal, state and provincial governments in the Great Lakes basin every two years on progress toward achieving the general and specific objectives of the Agreement.
Access an IJC announcement (click here). Access the IJC website for additional information (click here).
The IJC was established under the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 to help prevent and resolve disputes by the United States and Canada over the use of the waters they share. Under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, the Commission is charged with making a full report to the federal, state and provincial governments in the Great Lakes basin every two years on progress toward achieving the general and specific objectives of the Agreement.
Access an IJC announcement (click here). Access the IJC website for additional information (click here).
Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Teleconference May 13
May 5: The Great Lakes Regional Collaboration (GLRC) Executive Subcommittee invites interested stakeholders to participate in or observe teleconference discussion on Tuesday, May 13, 2008, from 2:00 to 3:30 PM CDT regarding ongoing and planned activities of the GLRC. The topics for discussion include: Update on GLRC Initiatives; Future actions on GLRC Initiatives; Continuing follow-up from previous Public Call; and Questions and Comments from Stakeholders.
Persons wishing to participate in the call should email GLRC staff prior to the call to let them know who will be participating in the teleconference. The teleconference will accommodate up to 125 participants with participation on a first come, first serve basis. However, persons may listen to the call on the Internet without participating.
Access complete instructions for participating or listening only (click here). Access current information on the GLRC Initiatives (click here). Access a summary of the February 19 teleconference call (click here). Access the GLRC website for additional information (click here).
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Controversial AOC Health Report Released For Comments
Apr 30: Dr. Henry Falk, Director, Coordinating Center for Environmental Health and Injury Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), announced that the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) had issued a revised report for public comment on what is known about environmental contaminants and human health in 26 Great Lakes “Areas of Concern” (AOCs). The controversial report which had been suppressed for nearly a year responds to a request from the International Joint Commission (IJC) to define the threat to human health from critical pollutants found in the Great Lakes basin. The report analyzes many sources of data on environmental exposures and on human health in the Great Lakes basin. The report is open for public comment for 60 days.
On February 7, the Center for Public Integrity (CPI) announced that a massive 400-page study, originally entitled, Public Health Implications of Hazardous Substances in the Twenty-Six U.S. Great Lakes Areas of Concern [AOCs], completed in July 2007, was being withheld [See WIMS 2/8/08]. Subsequently, an inquiry and investigation from Representatives John Dingell (D-MI), the Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Bart Stupak (D-MI) caused the study to be publicly released [See WIMS 3/14/08]. The latest 2008 draft report released for comment is now entitled, Selected Information on Chemical Releases Within Great Lakes Counties Containing Areas of Concern (AOC).
According to a CDC announcement, the key conclusions of the revised report include: 1) available environmental health data provide a useful but only a partial picture of the burden of chemical exposures people in the region face; 2) current health and environmental data collection cannot define the threat to human health from critical pollutants in the Great Lakes region; and 3) need for additional data collection and analysis to permit scientists, decision makers, and members of the public to define the threat to human health from pollutants in the Great Lakes basin. CDC indicates that comments should be submitted by email to: greatlakes@cdc.gov.
Access the CDC announcement (click here). Access the ATSDR website for the Great Lakes report which contains extensive links to background information, the Statement of Concern, the 2004 & 2007 & 2008 drafts, and more (click here). Access the 2008 draft report (click here).
On February 7, the Center for Public Integrity (CPI) announced that a massive 400-page study, originally entitled, Public Health Implications of Hazardous Substances in the Twenty-Six U.S. Great Lakes Areas of Concern [AOCs], completed in July 2007, was being withheld [See WIMS 2/8/08]. Subsequently, an inquiry and investigation from Representatives John Dingell (D-MI), the Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Bart Stupak (D-MI) caused the study to be publicly released [See WIMS 3/14/08]. The latest 2008 draft report released for comment is now entitled, Selected Information on Chemical Releases Within Great Lakes Counties Containing Areas of Concern (AOC).
According to a CDC announcement, the key conclusions of the revised report include: 1) available environmental health data provide a useful but only a partial picture of the burden of chemical exposures people in the region face; 2) current health and environmental data collection cannot define the threat to human health from critical pollutants in the Great Lakes region; and 3) need for additional data collection and analysis to permit scientists, decision makers, and members of the public to define the threat to human health from pollutants in the Great Lakes basin. CDC indicates that comments should be submitted by email to: greatlakes@cdc.gov.
Access the CDC announcement (click here). Access the ATSDR website for the Great Lakes report which contains extensive links to background information, the Statement of Concern, the 2004 & 2007 & 2008 drafts, and more (click here). Access the 2008 draft report (click here).
Funding Opportunities From Great Lakes National Program Office
Apr 24: The U.S. EPA's Great Lakes National Program Office (GLNPO) is now requesting applications in the following areas: (1)Approximately $100,000 to support Lake Michigan Forum activities, including work with ports/harbors in the nearshore and completion of the work with the four Lake Michigan states in a climate exchange program between farmers and industry. (2) Approximately $25,000 to support environmental education and outreach about Lake Michigan to Lake Michigan communities, including Areas of Concern and to teachers. (3) Approximately $75,000 to support training and tool development for Lake Michigan regional planning commissions and their shoreline communities in order to promote the use of green infrastructure and low impact land use design. (4) Approximately $75,000 for projects related to facilitating the Lake Superior Binational Forum. (5) Approximately $120,000 for a project that addresses the Lake Huron priority of Managing Water Quality to Protect and Restore Biodiversity. (6) Approximately $300,000 for a project to estimate loadings to Lakes Michigan, Huron, Superior, and Ontario of total phosphorus, total dissolved phosphorus, nitrate, and chloride.
Submissions must be postmarked or received by EPA or electronically through grants.gov by midnight, CST on June 10, 2008. EPA notes that this Request for Applications is one of four funding opportunities currently available. Other opportunities include: Request for Proposals for Great Lakes Pollution Prevention and Reduction and Rochester RAP Management (due June 10); Intermediary Support for Ecological Protection and Restoration Projects in the Great Lakes Basin (due May 21); and the Great Lakes Legacy Act Request for Projects (no date).
Access links to complete details on all of the above opportunities (click here).
Submissions must be postmarked or received by EPA or electronically through grants.gov by midnight, CST on June 10, 2008. EPA notes that this Request for Applications is one of four funding opportunities currently available. Other opportunities include: Request for Proposals for Great Lakes Pollution Prevention and Reduction and Rochester RAP Management (due June 10); Intermediary Support for Ecological Protection and Restoration Projects in the Great Lakes Basin (due May 21); and the Great Lakes Legacy Act Request for Projects (no date).
Access links to complete details on all of the above opportunities (click here).
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