Report Documents Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands Increase

Feb 17: While the nation as a whole gained freshwater wetlands from 1998 to 2004, a report by NOAA and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service documents a continuing loss of coastal wetlands in the eastern United States. The report, Status and Trends of Wetlands in the Coastal Watersheds of the Eastern United States, shows a loss of 59,000 acres each year in the coastal watersheds of the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico from 1998 to 2004, but an increase in the Great Lakes.

Jim Balsiger, acting NOAA assistant administrator for NOAA’s Fisheries Service said, “This report shows the nation’s need to expand the effort to conserve and rebuild valuable coastal wetlands. Coastal wetlands are nurseries for important commercial and recreational fish and are vital to many threatened and endangered species. They also provide natural protection to coastal communities from the most damaging effects of hurricanes and storm surges.”

In a release, NOAA indicates that one reason wetland loss is concentrated in coastal watersheds is because of the large numbers of people living there -- more than half of the nation’s population lives in coastal counties in densities five times greater than inland counties -- the building of roads, homes and businesses have accelerated wetlands loss, particularly along the Gulf of Mexico. Wetland restoration is also more difficult in coastal areas where land values are high and factors such as storms and large expanses of soft muddy ground hamper restoration efforts.

Rowan Gould, acting director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said, “We are concerned by the findings of this report because coastal wetlands provide essential habitat for many migratory bird, fish, and endangered species. The high rate of coastal wetlands losses is even more alarming when we consider the anticipated stresses that climate change will bring to our coasts in the future. We look forward to working with federal and non-federal partners to stop this trend and achieve no net loss of coastal wetlands."

NOAA and FWS are discussing with the U.S. EPA and other interested groups how to best respond to the alarming loss of coastal wetlands outlined in the new report. Michael Shapiro, acting assistant administrator for water at EPA said, "Our coastal wetlands are ecological treasures that help protect shorelines and infrastructure in areas where more than half of Americans live. This report emphasizes the need for action to protect these valuable resources."

According to the report, watersheds of the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts have almost the same amount of total wetland area: 15.9 million and 15.6 million acres, respectively. Watersheds of the Great Lakes had an estimated 8.4 million acres. Considering saltwater and freshwater systems together, there was an estimated loss of 361,100 wetland acres in the coastal watersheds between 1998 and 2004. Both the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico coasts experienced net wetland losses of 14,980 and 370,760 acres, respectively. The Great Lakes coastal watersheds had an estimated net gain of 24,650 acres (10,000 ha).

Access a release from NOAA (click here). Access the complete 36-page report (click here).

RFP To Address Persistent Toxic Substance Deposition

Jan 29: The Great Lakes Commission (GLC) is requesting project proposals under its Great Lakes Air Deposition (GLAD) program. Pre-Proposals are due March 2, 2009. The purpose of the GLAD program is to safeguard the environment and human health from the adverse effects of atmospherically deposited toxic contaminants in the Great Lakes region. This program supports scientific investigation and the development of assessment tools to identifying the magnitude, sources and impacts of toxic contaminant deposition within the region and to facilitate concerted and strategic actions to mitigate such impacts. The funding available for the current year of the GLAD program is at least $600,000. Previously sponsored projects have ranged from $20,000 to $250,000, with a median of $120,000.

Proposals should focus on contaminants of concern for atmospheric deposition in the Great Lakes region and should demonstrate a likelihood that the contaminant(s) being examined are depositing to the region's waterways from the atmosphere in a quantity that may cause adverse impacts to humans or wildlife. Proposals must describe tangible benefits delivered to the Great Lakes states and how projects will assist the state agencies and their partners in taking informed actions toward assessing and reducing the occurrence and impact of atmospheric deposition of toxic substances.

The 2009 RFP identifies priority project areas that are specifically targeted to be addressed in the upcoming year: Impacts of atmospherically deposited toxic pollutants on Great Lakes wildlife; Effects of climate change on toxic deposition and bioaccumulation; Great Lakes Coordinated Science and Monitoring Initiative; Demonstrate the influence of remaining local, continental and controllable sources; Characterize emissions from burning of agricultural plastics; and Flame Retardants.

Access a posted announcement (click here). Access the RFP (click here). Access the GLAD website for additional information (click here).

Army Corps Delays Activation Of New Electric Barrier

Jan 28: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced that it will delay activation of a new electric barrier, known as Barrier IIA, in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal near Romeoville, Illinois. The Army Corps had planned to activate the barrier at 1 Volt/inch by January 31st, but will delay these plans to conduct cooling system repairs. According to a release, inspection and maintenance crews preparing barrier equipment for extended use identified concerns with the condition of the cooling pipes after they de-watered the system coolant tank on January 27. The extent of these defects was not visible during normal maintenance checks of the filled coolant tank. Engineers charged with keeping the barrier in continuous operations recommended defective pipes be replaced prior to activation and extended use of the barrier. The Corps said the corrosion of the cooling pipes was not anticipated. The Corps and other experts are examining the situation to ensure cooling system repairs are completed effectively in a timely manner. The Corps said it now anticipates completing repairs and activating Barrier IIA by mid to late March if fairly favorable working conditions prevail.

The Army Corps has been operating a similar demonstration barrier in the Sanitary and Ship Canal since 2002, which remains in continuous operation. The purpose of the barrier is to block the passage of aquatic nuisance species, such as Asian carp, in order to prevent them from moving into the Great Lakes. Chicago District Commander, Col. Vincent Quarles, said he regrets the delay in activating the new barrier, but indicated, “We want to make sure Barrier IIA runs safely and effectively and to that end we decided it was prudent to make repairs to the cooling system now before we put it into full time operation.”

Access the release from the Corps (click here).

ATSDR Report On Chemical Releases In The Great Lakes Region

Jan 27: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), announced the official availability of the report, ATSDR Studies on Chemical Releases in the Great Lakes Region [74 FR 4751]. The report responds to a request from the International Joint Commission (IJC), the binational organization that works to implement the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA) between the U.S. and Canada. The GLWQA calls for the two nations to define "the threat to human health from critical pollutants" found in the Great Lakes basin.

The report summarizes previously-published public health assessment products and chemical release information for the 26 U.S. Areas of Concern (AOCs) and 54 counties that are in close geographic proximity to those AOCs. ATSDR says, "It is a descriptive report that does not make associations between health outcomes and chemical exposures." The compilation of environmental data, gathered by ATSDR and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is intended to help decision-makers set future priorities.

The originally controversial report, which had been suppressed for nearly a year was revealed on February 7, 2008, by the Center for Public Integrity (CPI) which 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], and completed in July 2007, was being withheld [See WIMS 2/8/08]. The suppression of the study was the subject of an inquiry and investigation from Representatives John Dingell (D-MI), then Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Bart Stupak (D-MI), the Chairman of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee [See WIMS 3/14/08].

Access the FR announcement (click here). Access links to the final report and extensive background information (click here).

Great Lakes Protection Fund Announces Cutbacks

Jan 23: The Great Lakes Protection Fund (GLPF) issued an announcement saying that it is "making changes to its operations to adapt to the challenges of our contracting economy. As a permanent endowment, we remain committed to supporting our current project teams and to making new grants in support of our mission. However, out of economic necessity, we have made some substantial operational changes. We have reduced our operating budget significantly and the level of support for new projects will be reduced in 2009. We are committed to openly communicating any changes that might be necessary in light of the ongoing economic volatility. We will keep our website up to date and encourage you to check in periodically."

GLPF is a private, nonprofit corporation formed in 1989 by the Governors of the Great Lakes States. It is a permanent environmental endowment that supports collaborative actions to improve the health of the Great Lakes ecosystem. The Fund's Board of Directors is comprised of two governor appointed representatives from each member state. The Board of Directors meets quarterly and governs the Fund's operation. To date, the Fund had made 221 grants and program related investments representing more than $56.5 million in regional projects to improve the health of the Great Lakes ecosystem.

Access the announcement (click here). Access the GLPF website (click here).

Bipartisan, Bicameral Great Lakes Restoration Bills

Jan 14: U.S. Senators Carl Levin (D-MI) and George Voinovich (R-OH), the co-chairs of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force, introduced a bipartisan Great Lakes restoration bill (S. 237)that would help reduce the threat of invasive species in the lakes, restore fish and wildlife, clean up contaminated sediments, and coordinate water quality management in the Great Lakes basin. The senators introduced similar legislation in the last Congress but hope to make further progress this year given President-elect Obama’s commitment to invest significant funding in Great Lakes restoration. In 2005, numerous groups – including more than 1,500 people – joined forces to create the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration (GLRC), which was tasked with devising a cohesive Great Lakes restoration plan. The goal of the Great Lakes Collaboration Implementation Act (GLCIA) being introduced today is to implement many of the recommendations made by the collaboration.

On the House side, Representative Vernon Ehlers (R-MI) introduced a companion bill. The Great Lakes Collaboration Implementation Act (H.R. 500) follows recommendations developed by federal, state, and local officials, as well as hundreds of non-government officials, in the GLRC. The plan for protecting and restoring the lakes was developed in 2005.

Among other items the bills would establishing mandatory ballast water management rules; create a screening process for importation of live organisms; and provide critical research, education and outreach programs; increase funding for the Great Lakes Legacy Act to $150 million per year; establish a grant program in which the EPA could award up to $10 million per year for mercury cleanup efforts; reauthorize the State Revolving Loan Fund for $20 billion over five years; authorize funding for the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to restore Great Lakes waterfront areas; reinstate wetland protection by clarifying Congress’s original intent that the Clean Water Act should protect all waters of the United States; Enhance Great Lakes research and monitoring; and increase funding for NOAA’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab and the U.S. Geological Survey’s Science center.

Access a release from Senator Levin (click here). Access a release from Representative Ehlers (click here). Access the GLRC website more information (click here). Access WIMS-Great Lakes Environment blog posts on the GLRC (click here). Access legislative details for S. 237 (click here). Access legislative details for H.R. 500 (click here).

Great Lakes Recreational Boating = $9.4 Billion/Yr & 60,000 Jobs

Jan 12: Senator Carl Levin (D-MI) released the results of a study conducted by the Detroit District of the Army Corps of Engineers estimating the annual economic impact -- both direct and secondary -- of recreational boating on the Great Lakes at $9.4 billion, including $5.1 billion in sales and $1.8 billion in personal income. According to the report, an average of 911,000 boaters visit the Great Lakes annually, supporting 60,000 jobs.

Levin said, “This study clearly demonstrates that hundreds of thousands of recreational boaters come to the Great Lakes every year because the lakes are such a treasure, and they bring with them billions of dollars in economic activity and jobs. Recreational boating is an important part of our economy in Michigan and around the Great Lakes and this study provides further support for federal funding to keep this economic engine running.”

The Great Lakes Recreational Boating Report, prepared in accordance with Public Law 106-53, the Water Resources Development Act of 1999 (WRDA), Section 455(c), analyzes the economic importance of recreational boating to the Great Lakes states by tracing the flow of spending throughout the regional economy. In particular, the report finds that the nearly one million recreational boaters on the Great Lakes spend $2.44 billion each year on boating trips and $1.44 billion each year on boats, equipment and supplies.

The U.S. Coast Guard’s registration data for 2003 indicated that there were almost 4.3 million recreational boats in the eight Great Lakes states (including boats registered both within and outside the Great Lakes basin) that year. This comprised a third of all U.S. recreational vessels, and represented a 1.3 percent increase over the five-year period between 1999 and 2003. Michigan is first among Great Lakes states having nearly one million registered recreational boats, less than half of which belong to people living in coastal counties.

It is estimated that there are more than a quarter million marina slips available in Great Lakes states. About 51 percent of the slips are located in counties fronting the Great lakes and 89 percent are seasonal rental slips. An average of 93 percent of the
accessible seasonal slips in the counties that border the Great Lakes were occupied during the summer of 2003. About 107,000 boats were kept in Great Lakes marinas during the boating season. These boat owners spent $665 million on trip-related expenses and $529 million on craft-related items.

Access a release from Senator Levin (click here). Access the complete 103-page report (click here).