Jul 17: Environment Canada and U.S. EPA announced the release of the 2007 edition of the U.S.-Canada Great Lakes Binational Toxics Strategy (GLBTS) Progress Report. Over the past ten years, the governments of Canada and the U.S., along with stakeholders from industry, academia, state/provincial and local governments, Tribes, First Nations, and environmental and community groups have worked together toward the achievement of the Strategy’s challenge goals. Of the Strategy’s 17 challenge goals that were established in 1997, 13 have been achieved and significant progress has been made toward the remaining four challenge goals.
According to an announcement, compared to 1988 levels, Canada achieved over 98 percent reduction in sources, uses and releases for alkyl-lead; eliminated the use, generation or release of octachlorostyrene and five Level 1 pesticides; met its 90 percent reduction goal for mercury and dioxins and furans; and reduced emissions of hexachlorobenzene and benzo(a)pyrene by 73 percent and 52 percent, respectively. Furthermore, Canada destroyed 90 per cent of high-level PCBs in storage, compared to 1993 levels; and achieved a reduction of nearly 70 percent of high-level PCBs in service since 1989.
Similarly, the U.S. eliminated the use of alkyl-lead in automotive gasoline; eliminated the use, generation or release of octachlorostyrene and five Level 1 pesticides; achieved its 50 percent reduction goal for mercury and 75 percent goal for dioxins and furans, and reduced its benzo(a)pyrene emissions by 77 percent, in addition to significantly reducing its hexachlorobenzene releases and PCB equipment in service.
Looking ahead beyond the reduction of legacy contaminants, Canada and the U.S. have also created two new Groups under the Strategy to focus on substances of emerging concerns and sectors of importance in the Great Lakes Basin. These new efforts will enable the identification of management options for addressing the current and future releases of persistent toxic substances into the Great Lakes Basin.
Access the complete 120-page 2007 Report (click here). Access a detailed 22-page overview of the GLBTS (click here). Access links to previous reports and related information (click here). Access additional information about the GLBTS, the innovative public-private binational partnership aimed at reducing toxic chemicals in the Great Lakes (click here).
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Senate Urged To Pass Coast Guard Act And Ballast Management
Jul 16: According to a release, preliminary data released by researchers at the University of Notre Dame, Center for Aquatic Conservation, estimates that invasive species that arrived in the ballast tanks of ocean-going vessels may cost the Great Lakes region upwards of $200 million dollars a year in losses to commercial fishing, sport fishing, and the area’s water supply. David Lodge, Director of the Center for Aquatic Conservation at the University of Notre Dame said, “We wanted to apply objective scientific research to one of the most pressing questions being asked today: what are the benefits and costs of shipping in the Great Lakes region? The distributions of losses we found with invasions from shipping may be the tip of the iceberg. There is much more economic information to uncover.” The estimated losses are for the U.S. alone, with comparable losses expected in Canada. The researchers said losses may also grow as these invaders spread from the source of invasion and across the country on boats, recreational equipment, or natural migration.
In a separate release from Great Lakes United (GLU), they said, "Time is running out on a solution to the Great Lakes invasive species problem, and the cost to the region has swelled to at least $200 million a year and is growing." GLU's Jennifer Nalbone said, “Before Congress adjourns for the elections, the Senate must agree to legislation already passed by the House of Representatives that puts in place protections against invasive species in the Great Lakes and all U.S. ports." She urged presidential candidates Senator Barack Obama [D-IL] and Senator John McCain [R-AZ] as well as all 16 Senators representing the Great Lakes states to reach out to other senators to make this a priority immediately.
The Coast Guard Authorization Act (H.R. 2830) would require ocean vessels coming to any U.S. port to install treatment technology to clean their ballast water by as early as next year. Scientists have cited ballast water from these ships as the cause of invasive species such as zebra mussels, quagga mussels, the Eurasian ruffe, round goby, and spiny water fleas, entering the Great Lakes.
On April 24, by a vote of 395-7, the House of Representatives approved H.R. 2830, the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2007 [See WIMS 4/28/08]. The bill increases the size of the Coast Guard, reorganizes the Service, and enhances the Coast Guard’s dual mission of homeland security and maritime safety. Among many other items, Title V the bill requires ships to begin installing ballast water treatment systems in 2009 to control the introduction of invasive species into U.S. ports and waterways -- a measure particularly important to Great Lakes interests. All ships will be required to have treatment systems installed by 2016. The bill was sponsored by Representative James Oberstar (D-MN), Chair of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee.
Access a release on the research (click here). Access a fact sheet on the research and links to related information on the Great Lakes United website (click here). Access a release on passage of H.R. 2830 (click here).
In a separate release from Great Lakes United (GLU), they said, "Time is running out on a solution to the Great Lakes invasive species problem, and the cost to the region has swelled to at least $200 million a year and is growing." GLU's Jennifer Nalbone said, “Before Congress adjourns for the elections, the Senate must agree to legislation already passed by the House of Representatives that puts in place protections against invasive species in the Great Lakes and all U.S. ports." She urged presidential candidates Senator Barack Obama [D-IL] and Senator John McCain [R-AZ] as well as all 16 Senators representing the Great Lakes states to reach out to other senators to make this a priority immediately.
The Coast Guard Authorization Act (H.R. 2830) would require ocean vessels coming to any U.S. port to install treatment technology to clean their ballast water by as early as next year. Scientists have cited ballast water from these ships as the cause of invasive species such as zebra mussels, quagga mussels, the Eurasian ruffe, round goby, and spiny water fleas, entering the Great Lakes.
On April 24, by a vote of 395-7, the House of Representatives approved H.R. 2830, the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2007 [See WIMS 4/28/08]. The bill increases the size of the Coast Guard, reorganizes the Service, and enhances the Coast Guard’s dual mission of homeland security and maritime safety. Among many other items, Title V the bill requires ships to begin installing ballast water treatment systems in 2009 to control the introduction of invasive species into U.S. ports and waterways -- a measure particularly important to Great Lakes interests. All ships will be required to have treatment systems installed by 2016. The bill was sponsored by Representative James Oberstar (D-MN), Chair of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee.
Access a release on the research (click here). Access a fact sheet on the research and links to related information on the Great Lakes United website (click here). Access a release on passage of H.R. 2830 (click here).
Monday, July 14, 2008
NRDC Fights BP Air Permits in Federal Court
Jul 9: Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) filed a federal challenge to air permits given by the State of Indiana to BP’s controversial refinery in Whiting, IN [See WIMS 6/2/08]. The permits were recently awarded by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) despite significant concern from the public, environmental experts and elected officials. Ann Alexander, a senior attorney at NRDC said, “IDEM and BP did not learn their lesson after the public outcry over water pollution permits last summer. They had an opportunity to do things right this time, and they didn’t take it. The permits simply do not protect the public and do not live up to the law. The failure of Indiana and BP to take the public interest and the law seriously has forced the issue and required that this case be brought before the federal courts. . . In the ConocoPhillips case, the environmental review board at US EPA sent a message to oil refineries around the nation that it is time they clean up. We believe that the federal courts will support that precedent.”
The case argues that BP and IDEM have not properly accounted for increases in dangerous pollution that will result from the refinery expansion. The increased pollution requires that the refinery control its pollution more effectively, and operate under a more stringent, “major source” permit. NRDC is assisting as legal counsel in a similar case being brought by Indiana environmental groups in a state administrative forum. NRDC is challenging the facility’s construction permits in the Hammond Division of the Northern District of Indiana Federal court.
Access a release from NRDC (click here).
The case argues that BP and IDEM have not properly accounted for increases in dangerous pollution that will result from the refinery expansion. The increased pollution requires that the refinery control its pollution more effectively, and operate under a more stringent, “major source” permit. NRDC is assisting as legal counsel in a similar case being brought by Indiana environmental groups in a state administrative forum. NRDC is challenging the facility’s construction permits in the Hammond Division of the Northern District of Indiana Federal court.
Access a release from NRDC (click here).
Friday, July 11, 2008
Groups Says Dry Cargo Dumping Proposal Is Illegal
Jul 11: Several groups have issued a release encouraging Great Lakes interests to participate in commenting on the proposed rule and attending meetings on the Coast Guard's proposal for Dry Residue Discharges in the Great Lakes [See WIMS 6/13/08]. The groups include: Alliance for the Great Lakes, Great Lakes United, Lake Ontario Waterkeeper, and National Wildlife Federation.
On June 6, the Coast Guard announced two public meetings for its May 23, 2008 notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) [73 FR 30014-30029] on dry cargo residue (DCR) discharges in the Great Lakes and its supporting Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) to be held in Duluth, Minnesota, and Cleveland, Ohio, in July 2008. The meetings are scheduled for Duluth, MN, July 15, 2008, 1-5 PM; and Cleveland, OH, July 17, 2008, 1-5 PM. Comments and related material must be received on or before July 22, 2008.
According the group release, "Clear laws exist on both the international and domestic levels that prohibit the dumping of garbage in any of the internal waterways of the United States. The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) is the primary international treaty covering the discharge of pollutants into the ocean. The United States is signatory to MARPOL, which articulates that garbage is not to be dumped within 12 nautical miles off the oceanic coast and therefore does not allow dumping in the Great Lakes. To implement MARPOL Congress passed the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS) in 1987. Under both MARPOL and APPS operational wastes (i.e.: cargo residues) fall under the definition of garbage.
"The Coast Guard’s draft interim enforcement policy required under APPS, in place since 1997, has allowed ships to 'sweep' cargo residues that litter vessel decks off the side of the ship and into the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Basin. Congress recently ordered the Coast Guard to examine cargo sweeping and its effects and the Coast Guard has now proposed a rulemaking on the practice. The Coast Guard’s proposed rule is illegal, because dry cargo residues fall under the description of garbage in domestic and international law and are thus prohibited to be dumped into inland waters. The Coast Guard should be developing rules that set standards and deadlines to virtually eliminate dry cargo dumping to protect the Great Lakes- St. Lawrence River ecosystem and comply with the law!"
Access a release from the groups and links to additional background information (click here).
On June 6, the Coast Guard announced two public meetings for its May 23, 2008 notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) [73 FR 30014-30029] on dry cargo residue (DCR) discharges in the Great Lakes and its supporting Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) to be held in Duluth, Minnesota, and Cleveland, Ohio, in July 2008. The meetings are scheduled for Duluth, MN, July 15, 2008, 1-5 PM; and Cleveland, OH, July 17, 2008, 1-5 PM. Comments and related material must be received on or before July 22, 2008.
According the group release, "Clear laws exist on both the international and domestic levels that prohibit the dumping of garbage in any of the internal waterways of the United States. The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) is the primary international treaty covering the discharge of pollutants into the ocean. The United States is signatory to MARPOL, which articulates that garbage is not to be dumped within 12 nautical miles off the oceanic coast and therefore does not allow dumping in the Great Lakes. To implement MARPOL Congress passed the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS) in 1987. Under both MARPOL and APPS operational wastes (i.e.: cargo residues) fall under the definition of garbage.
"The Coast Guard’s draft interim enforcement policy required under APPS, in place since 1997, has allowed ships to 'sweep' cargo residues that litter vessel decks off the side of the ship and into the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Basin. Congress recently ordered the Coast Guard to examine cargo sweeping and its effects and the Coast Guard has now proposed a rulemaking on the practice. The Coast Guard’s proposed rule is illegal, because dry cargo residues fall under the description of garbage in domestic and international law and are thus prohibited to be dumped into inland waters. The Coast Guard should be developing rules that set standards and deadlines to virtually eliminate dry cargo dumping to protect the Great Lakes- St. Lawrence River ecosystem and comply with the law!"
Access a release from the groups and links to additional background information (click here).
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Levin, Voinovich & Oberstar To Lead Compact Approval Efforts
Jul 9: According to a release from the Great Lakes Council of Governors (GLCG); Senator Carl Levin (D-MI), Senator George Voinovich (R-OH) and Congressman James Oberstar (D- MN) will lead efforts to secure the consent of the U.S. Congress for the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact. Now that the individual states have all approved the Compact, to become law, Congress must now provide its consent. GLCG says that to date, more than 20 members of Congress, including both of the presumptive nominees of the major parties (Senator McCain and Senator Obama) have expressed their support for the Compact.
In December 2005, following a nearly five-year negotiation, the Governors of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin reached agreement on the Compact. The Compact provides a comprehensive management framework for achieving sustainable water use and resource protection. The eight Great Lakes States reached a similar, good faith, agreement with Ontario and Québec in 2005, which the Provinces are using to amend their existing water programs for greater regional consistency.
GLCG highlighted the following major points of the Compact: Economic development will be fostered through the sustainable use and responsible management of Basin waters; The States will ensure that authority over Great Lakes water uses is retained in the region; Regional goals and objectives for water conservation and efficiency will be developed, and they will be reviewed every five years; Each State will develop and implement a water conservation and efficiency program; The collection of technical data will be strengthened, and the States will share comparable information, which will improve decision-making by the governments; and There is a strong commitment to continued public involvement in the implementation of the Compact.
GLCG said that as of July 2008, there are at least 41 interstate water compacts that have been entered into by the party States and consented to by the U.S. Congress over a period of decades. 45 States and the District of Columbia currently belong to at least one interstate water compact and many States belong to more than one. These compacts provide an effective means to manage shared water resources consistent with our system of constitutional federalism.
Access a release from the GLCG (click here). Access the CGLG status of Compact approval website (click here).
In December 2005, following a nearly five-year negotiation, the Governors of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin reached agreement on the Compact. The Compact provides a comprehensive management framework for achieving sustainable water use and resource protection. The eight Great Lakes States reached a similar, good faith, agreement with Ontario and Québec in 2005, which the Provinces are using to amend their existing water programs for greater regional consistency.
GLCG highlighted the following major points of the Compact: Economic development will be fostered through the sustainable use and responsible management of Basin waters; The States will ensure that authority over Great Lakes water uses is retained in the region; Regional goals and objectives for water conservation and efficiency will be developed, and they will be reviewed every five years; Each State will develop and implement a water conservation and efficiency program; The collection of technical data will be strengthened, and the States will share comparable information, which will improve decision-making by the governments; and There is a strong commitment to continued public involvement in the implementation of the Compact.
GLCG said that as of July 2008, there are at least 41 interstate water compacts that have been entered into by the party States and consented to by the U.S. Congress over a period of decades. 45 States and the District of Columbia currently belong to at least one interstate water compact and many States belong to more than one. These compacts provide an effective means to manage shared water resources consistent with our system of constitutional federalism.
Access a release from the GLCG (click here). Access the CGLG status of Compact approval website (click here).
Register Now For SOLEC 2008
Jul 10: SOLEC 2008 will be held October 22–23, 2008, in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. This year, emphasis will be on “The Nearshore.” In 1996, SOLEC focused on the nearshore lands and waters of the Great Lakes where biological productivity is greatest and where humans have maximum impact. In 2008, the conference will concentrate on what has changed with respect to the nearshore environments since 1996. Additional conditions and issues not evaluated in 1996 will also be addressed.
Presentations during day 1 of SOLEC will focus on the state of the Great Lakes based on indicator assessments and other information about nearshore areas. On day 2, the presentations will highlight information about each Great Lake, the connecting channels (including the Niagara River), and the St. Lawrence River with a focus on the nearshore areas and related issues, such as habitat loss, viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS), nutrients and water levels. Breakout sessions will follow the plenary presentations on both days. These afternoon sessions are an opportunity for participants to discuss the information that was presented in the morning as well as to debate more specific issues.
Draft State of the Great Lakes 2009 indicator reports and category assessments will be available in advance of the conference. These reports and assessments are being prepared by various authors from many agencies and organizations in order to assist with assessing the overall state of the Great Lakes. A draft background paper -- The Nearshore Areas of the Great Lakes 2008 -- will also be available in advance of the conference. Links to the State of the Great Lakes 2007 products are available on the registration website.
Access the SOLEC 2008 website for registration information and extensive background materials (click here). Access more information related to State of the Great Lakes Reporting and SOLEC (click here).
Presentations during day 1 of SOLEC will focus on the state of the Great Lakes based on indicator assessments and other information about nearshore areas. On day 2, the presentations will highlight information about each Great Lake, the connecting channels (including the Niagara River), and the St. Lawrence River with a focus on the nearshore areas and related issues, such as habitat loss, viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS), nutrients and water levels. Breakout sessions will follow the plenary presentations on both days. These afternoon sessions are an opportunity for participants to discuss the information that was presented in the morning as well as to debate more specific issues.
Draft State of the Great Lakes 2009 indicator reports and category assessments will be available in advance of the conference. These reports and assessments are being prepared by various authors from many agencies and organizations in order to assist with assessing the overall state of the Great Lakes. A draft background paper -- The Nearshore Areas of the Great Lakes 2008 -- will also be available in advance of the conference. Links to the State of the Great Lakes 2007 products are available on the registration website.
Access the SOLEC 2008 website for registration information and extensive background materials (click here). Access more information related to State of the Great Lakes Reporting and SOLEC (click here).
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Sierra Club Citizen’s Guide to Protecting The Great Lakes
Jul 8: The Sierra Club Great Lakes Program released its Citizen’s Guide to Protecting the Great Lakes. The guide identifies Great Lakes problems and solutions that individuals can implement to protect the Lakes. It also highlights the major policy changes that state and Federal governments need to make to ensure that future generations.
According to an announcement, the Guide was inspired by the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Strategy (GLRCS) -- the comprehensive regional plan to protect our drinking water, economic future and way of life. The Great Lakes hold one fifth of the world’s fresh surface water and currently provide drinking water to over 42 million people. Each day, "the Lakes are damaged economically and ecologically by untreated sewage, industrial pollutants and invasive species." The Guide offers actions to reduce the threats and contains specific strategies that can be used to protect the Lakes. The release kicks off a series of Sierra Club Great Lakes Program meetings and activities that will be held in the region throughout the year to highlight actions needed to protect and restore the Great Lakes.
Access a release from Sierra Club (click here). Access the Guide (click here). Access the Great Lakes Program website for related information (click here).
According to an announcement, the Guide was inspired by the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Strategy (GLRCS) -- the comprehensive regional plan to protect our drinking water, economic future and way of life. The Great Lakes hold one fifth of the world’s fresh surface water and currently provide drinking water to over 42 million people. Each day, "the Lakes are damaged economically and ecologically by untreated sewage, industrial pollutants and invasive species." The Guide offers actions to reduce the threats and contains specific strategies that can be used to protect the Lakes. The release kicks off a series of Sierra Club Great Lakes Program meetings and activities that will be held in the region throughout the year to highlight actions needed to protect and restore the Great Lakes.
Access a release from Sierra Club (click here). Access the Guide (click here). Access the Great Lakes Program website for related information (click here).
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