Aug 18: The Sustain Our Great Lakes (SOGL) program, a public–private partnership among ArcelorMittal, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. EPA, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Forest Service has launched a new website and announced two major funding opportunities. Overall, the SOGL program is designed to support the implementation of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), an outcomes-focused initiative designed to protect, maintain and restore the chemical, biological and physical integrity of the Great Lakes ecosystem.
The funding opportunities through the Community Grants and Stewardship Grants program support habitat restoration, protection and enhancement projects, invasive species control, water quality improvements, and watershed planning and management within the Great Lakes basin. The Requests For Proposals (RFPs) are now available. Community Grants range from $25,000 to $150,000 and proposals due on October 15, 2009. Stewardship Grants range from $150,001 to $1,500,000 and pre-proposals are due on October 1, 2009, and invited full proposals will be due on December 15, 2009. Complete information is available from the links below.
The new website is designed to increase awareness of the SOGL program; Inform potential grantees about new funding opportunities and provide access to Requests For Proposals; Share information about previously funded projects and program accomplishments; Provide information on Great Lakes news and events; and Provide general information on the importance of the Great Lakes ecosystem.
Access complete information and RFPs for the funding opportunities (click here). Access the SOGL website for complete information (click here).
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Emergency Compact Meetings To Adopt Budget Resolutions
Sep 1: The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Water Resources Regional Body (Regional Body) announced that it will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, September 22, 2009, at 2:00 PM EDT. The conference call meeting will be open to the public and will include an opportunity for public comments. According to the announcement an agenda and materials to be discussed will be available at in coming weeks.
Additionally, the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Council (Compact Council) will also hold a special meeting on Tuesday, September 22, 2009. The meeting will begin immediately following the adjournment of the Regional Body, expected at approximately 2:30 PM EDT. The conference call meeting will be open to the public and will include an opportunity for public comments. An agenda and materials to be discussed at the meeting will be available in coming weeks.
The Council of Great Lakes Governors (CGLG) which serves as Secretariat to the Regional Body and the Compact Council indicated that less than 30 days notice is given for these special meetings because the sole substantive focus will be to vote on a budget resolution for both organizations for the second quarter of FY 2010 (October 1-December 31, 2009). Pursuant to the By-Laws of the Compact Council, the budget serves as authorization for the Executive Director to make expenditures on behalf of the Compact Council. The current budget resolution providing such authorization will end on September 30, 2009, and a new budget resolution must be approved to allow expenditures thereafter.
Access the announcement posted on the CGLG website (click here). Access the Regional Body website for meeting information updates (click here).
Additionally, the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Council (Compact Council) will also hold a special meeting on Tuesday, September 22, 2009. The meeting will begin immediately following the adjournment of the Regional Body, expected at approximately 2:30 PM EDT. The conference call meeting will be open to the public and will include an opportunity for public comments. An agenda and materials to be discussed at the meeting will be available in coming weeks.
The Council of Great Lakes Governors (CGLG) which serves as Secretariat to the Regional Body and the Compact Council indicated that less than 30 days notice is given for these special meetings because the sole substantive focus will be to vote on a budget resolution for both organizations for the second quarter of FY 2010 (October 1-December 31, 2009). Pursuant to the By-Laws of the Compact Council, the budget serves as authorization for the Executive Director to make expenditures on behalf of the Compact Council. The current budget resolution providing such authorization will end on September 30, 2009, and a new budget resolution must be approved to allow expenditures thereafter.
Access the announcement posted on the CGLG website (click here). Access the Regional Body website for meeting information updates (click here).
Monday, August 31, 2009
Proposed Rules & PEIS For Ballast Discharge Standards
Aug 28: The U.S. Coast Guard has issued a notice of proposed rulemaking for Standards for Living Organisms in Ships' Ballast Water Discharged in U.S. Waters [74 FR 44631-44672, 8/28/09]; and a Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for the standards [74 FR 44673-44674, 8/28/09].
In the proposed rulemaking, the Coast Guard proposes to amend its regulations on ballast water management by establishing standards for the allowable concentration of living organisms in ships' ballast water discharged in U.S. waters. The Coast Guard also proposes to amend its regulations for approving engineering equipment by establishing an approval process for ballast water management systems. The Coast Guard says the new regulations would aid in controlling the introduction and spread of nonindigenous species from ships discharging ballast water in U.S. waters.
The availability of a Draft PEIS for the rulemaking provides an assessment of the potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed establishment of ballast water discharge standards. The standards would be used to approve alternative ballast water management methods that are effective in preventing or reducing the introduction of nonindigenous species via discharged ballast water into United States waters. Comments and related material on the proposed rules and the draft PEIS must be submitted on or before November 27, 2009.
Access the proposed rule FR announcement (click here). Access the draft PEIS FR announcement (click here). Access the combined docket USCG-2001-10486 for both actions (click here).
In the proposed rulemaking, the Coast Guard proposes to amend its regulations on ballast water management by establishing standards for the allowable concentration of living organisms in ships' ballast water discharged in U.S. waters. The Coast Guard also proposes to amend its regulations for approving engineering equipment by establishing an approval process for ballast water management systems. The Coast Guard says the new regulations would aid in controlling the introduction and spread of nonindigenous species from ships discharging ballast water in U.S. waters.
The availability of a Draft PEIS for the rulemaking provides an assessment of the potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed establishment of ballast water discharge standards. The standards would be used to approve alternative ballast water management methods that are effective in preventing or reducing the introduction of nonindigenous species via discharged ballast water into United States waters. Comments and related material on the proposed rules and the draft PEIS must be submitted on or before November 27, 2009.
Access the proposed rule FR announcement (click here). Access the draft PEIS FR announcement (click here). Access the combined docket USCG-2001-10486 for both actions (click here).
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Groups Urge Ontario Water Conservation Strategy
Aug 13: A coalition of water professionals, university think-tanks, environmental and citizen-based groups called on the Ontario government to take immediate and aggressive action on water conservation. The groups released the report of the POLIS Water Sustainability Project entitled, H2Ontario: A Blueprint for a Comprehensive Water Conservation Strategy outlines a strategy for making Ontario world-leaders in cutting wasteful water practices, and urges Ontarians to support development of a world-class action plan. They said the blueprint coincides with the release of a government white paper outlining options for a new water strategy. Peer reviewed by the country’s leading water experts, H2Ontario sets a course for the development of a progressive and pragmatic plan.
Carol Maas, author of the report and Innovation and Technology Director for the POLIS Project said, “We commend the Premier of Ontario for identifying the importance of conserving water. Investing in water efficiency and conservation will protect freshwater ecosystems, foster new innovative industries and save energy all at a fraction of the cost of expanding water infrastructure." Maas also pointed to recent research that identifies water conservation as the next frontier of municipal energy and greenhouse gas emission savings. She indicated that a province-wide increase in water efficiency of 20% over the next 20 years could save enough pumping, treatment and heating energy to power 90% of the homes in the City of Toronto.
As signatories to a key regional agreement, all ten Great Lakes states and provinces have committed to taking action on water conservation, a crucial step to protecting and restoring the Great Lakes. The Blueprint establishes a coherent strategy organized around 10 priority actions and 25 specific recommendations. Priority actions include encouraging the province to: Recognize conservation as the best form of new infrastructure – by requiring water conservation plans and providing infrastructure funds for conservation; Price it right – by encouraging volume based pricing; Support innovation – through pilot programs, education, and incentives for commercialization of new water efficient practices and technologies; and, Promote efficient fixtures – by banning 13 liter toilets and other inefficient fixtures.
The groups noted that the government of Ontario had proposed a white paper, entitled “Stewardship, Leadership, Accountability: Safeguarding and Sustaining Ontario’s Water Resources for Future Generations,” which was posted on the Environmental Registry and is open for public comment until October 4, 2009. The proposal indicates, "Water supports a diverse economy, population and ecosystem in Ontario and the province has a strong history in managing our water in a sustainable way. In the face of current and future stresses to water quantity, such as population growth and climate change, some aspects of water management in Ontario need to be enhanced."
Access a release from the groups listing the supporting organizations (click here). Access links to the H2Ontario report and an executive summary (click here). Access the POLIS project website for more information (click here). Access the Ontario proposal in the Registry (click here).
Carol Maas, author of the report and Innovation and Technology Director for the POLIS Project said, “We commend the Premier of Ontario for identifying the importance of conserving water. Investing in water efficiency and conservation will protect freshwater ecosystems, foster new innovative industries and save energy all at a fraction of the cost of expanding water infrastructure." Maas also pointed to recent research that identifies water conservation as the next frontier of municipal energy and greenhouse gas emission savings. She indicated that a province-wide increase in water efficiency of 20% over the next 20 years could save enough pumping, treatment and heating energy to power 90% of the homes in the City of Toronto.
As signatories to a key regional agreement, all ten Great Lakes states and provinces have committed to taking action on water conservation, a crucial step to protecting and restoring the Great Lakes. The Blueprint establishes a coherent strategy organized around 10 priority actions and 25 specific recommendations. Priority actions include encouraging the province to: Recognize conservation as the best form of new infrastructure – by requiring water conservation plans and providing infrastructure funds for conservation; Price it right – by encouraging volume based pricing; Support innovation – through pilot programs, education, and incentives for commercialization of new water efficient practices and technologies; and, Promote efficient fixtures – by banning 13 liter toilets and other inefficient fixtures.
The groups noted that the government of Ontario had proposed a white paper, entitled “Stewardship, Leadership, Accountability: Safeguarding and Sustaining Ontario’s Water Resources for Future Generations,” which was posted on the Environmental Registry and is open for public comment until October 4, 2009. The proposal indicates, "Water supports a diverse economy, population and ecosystem in Ontario and the province has a strong history in managing our water in a sustainable way. In the face of current and future stresses to water quantity, such as population growth and climate change, some aspects of water management in Ontario need to be enhanced."
Access a release from the groups listing the supporting organizations (click here). Access links to the H2Ontario report and an executive summary (click here). Access the POLIS project website for more information (click here). Access the Ontario proposal in the Registry (click here).
Friday, August 7, 2009
Latest Council of Great Lakes Governors Newsletter
Aug 7: The Council of Great Lakes Governors (CGLG) has posted the August 2009 edition of its newsletter, THE COMPASS. Highlights in the issue include: A Message from Council Chair Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle; Governors Continue Push to Protect the Lakes Against Asian Carp; GLNA Hosts Annual Meeting and Tours Wisconsin; Department of Energy Pulls Plug on Regional Biomass Program; Australia—New Zealand Trade Mission Generates Sales for Great Lakes Companies; Great Lakes Water Resource Managers’ Initiative Launched; and Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Promises Funds to Restore the Great Lakes.
Access the latest CGLG newsletter (click here). Access the CGLG website for more information (click here).
Access the latest CGLG newsletter (click here). Access the CGLG website for more information (click here).
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Great Lakes Restoration Initiative News
Jul 28: The slides from the presentations being given by the U.S. EPA at the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) Stakeholder Meetings [See WIMS 7/14/09] are now available online. The slides provide background information about the Great Lakes, the Initiative, Proposed Programs for implementation in Fiscal Year 2010, and the Great Lakes Multi-Year Action Plan Outline (Fiscal Years 2010 thru 2014). The Great Lakes Multi-Year Restoration Action Plan Outline is also available at the link below and stakeholder feedback may be submitted until by August 19, 2009 online.
Access the presentation slides (click here). Access the GLRI Action Plan (click here). Access the GLRI website for links to additional information and background (click here).
Access the presentation slides (click here). Access the GLRI Action Plan (click here). Access the GLRI website for links to additional information and background (click here).
Friday, July 24, 2009
Eleven Soil Erosion & Sediment Control Grants
Jul 23: The Great Lakes Commission (GLC) recently announced eleven grants totaling almost $300,000 were recently announced by the Great Lakes Basin Program for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control. The awards went to applicants in six of the eight Great Lakes states and were selected by GLC's Sediment Task Force from 84 applications received during this year’s application cycle. Over $2 million was requested by 84 applicants but budget constraints limited total funding.
Basin Program grant awards included $30,000 to the Ullr Mountain Gully Erosion and Sediment Control Project in Grand Marais, MN; $35,000 to the Menomonee River Erosion Control Project in Milwaukee, WI; $30,000 to the Silver Creek Super Project in Grayling, MI; $12,459 to the St. Joseph River Watershed Soil Erosion/Sediment Control Project in Hillsdale, MI; $29, 891 to research on “Stabilizing Nutrient-Rich Cropland with Cover Crops and Targeted Zone-Tillage” by Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI; $30,000 to the “Cover it Green” project in Norwalk, OH; $10,500 to Lorain County Erosion and Sediment Control in Elyria, OH; $30,000 to Cascade Creek Watershed Improvements in Erie, PA; $30,000 to Eighteenmile Creek Streambank Restoration and Erosion Control in East Aurora, NY; $30,000 to the Genesee River Watershed Soil Erosion Control Project in Rochester, NY; and $24,200 to the St. Lawrence and Franklin County Ag Soil Erosion Sediment project in Canton, NY.
Access an announcement from GLC and link to further details on the projects (click here). Access the GLC Soil Erosion and Sediment Control program website for more information (click here).
Basin Program grant awards included $30,000 to the Ullr Mountain Gully Erosion and Sediment Control Project in Grand Marais, MN; $35,000 to the Menomonee River Erosion Control Project in Milwaukee, WI; $30,000 to the Silver Creek Super Project in Grayling, MI; $12,459 to the St. Joseph River Watershed Soil Erosion/Sediment Control Project in Hillsdale, MI; $29, 891 to research on “Stabilizing Nutrient-Rich Cropland with Cover Crops and Targeted Zone-Tillage” by Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI; $30,000 to the “Cover it Green” project in Norwalk, OH; $10,500 to Lorain County Erosion and Sediment Control in Elyria, OH; $30,000 to Cascade Creek Watershed Improvements in Erie, PA; $30,000 to Eighteenmile Creek Streambank Restoration and Erosion Control in East Aurora, NY; $30,000 to the Genesee River Watershed Soil Erosion Control Project in Rochester, NY; and $24,200 to the St. Lawrence and Franklin County Ag Soil Erosion Sediment project in Canton, NY.
Access an announcement from GLC and link to further details on the projects (click here). Access the GLC Soil Erosion and Sediment Control program website for more information (click here).
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