Presque Isle Bay In PA Removed From AOC List

Feb 14: U.S. EPA announced that Presque Isle Bay, on the Pennsylvania shore of Lake Erie, has been removed from the list of heavily contaminated Great Lakes sites targeted for cleanup by the U.S.-Canada Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. Environmental conditions in Presque Isle Bay have significantly improved due to actions taken by Federal, state and local government. Studies have shown that revitalized waterways, like Presque Isle Bay, can benefit the local economy and better protect people's health. Presque Isle Bay is now the second site in the nation to be taken off the list of Great Lakes Areas of Concern (AOCs). Presque Isle Bay's delisting reduces the number of AOCs to 29 contaminated sites wholly in the U.S. or shared with Canada.

    On her last day as EPA Administrator, Lisa Jackson said, "I'm proud to announce that Presque Isle Bay is no longer considered an Area of Concern. We still have a great deal of work to do in the Great Lakes, but this is a positive step that will help protect people's health and the environment in the community. President Obama has made cleaning up the Great Lakes a priority for his Administration, and delisting Presque Isle Bay is a big step toward fulfilling that commitment."

    In a release EPA indicated that the historic discharge of industrial and domestic wastewater contaminated Presque Isle Bay with excessive nutrients, organic compounds, toxic metals and other pollutants. Improvements at Erie's wastewater treatment plant, along with the waterfront's conversion from heavy industrial to commercial use, reduced pollution and helped restore the bay.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection will continue to monitor ecological conditions in Presque Isle Bay, with support from EPA.

 

    Access a release from EPA (click here). Access more information on Presque Isle Bay (click here). Access more information on the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (click here). [#GLakes/AOC]

 

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Record Lowest Ever Water Levels For Lake Michigan-Huron

Feb 5: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District through its Great Lakes Hydraulics and Hydrology Office reports a preliminary new record low water level for Lake Michigan-Huron for the second month in a row.  The new record low of 175.57 meters or 576.02 feet is not only the lowest January monthly average water level ever recorded, but also the lowest monthly average ever recorded for any month over the official period of record for Great Lakes water levels, which extends back to 1918.  The Corps issues water level forecasts for the Great Lakes in coordination with Environment Canada, and with the use of water level data and forecasting models developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory and National Ocean Service. The Corps latest forecasts indicate a strong likelihood for continued record lows on Lake Michigan-Huron over the next several months. Water levels on the remaining Great Lakes are expected to remain below their respective long-term average water levels, but above record lows.
 
    John Allis, Chief of the Great Lakes Hydraulics and Hydrology Office said, "Not only have water levels on Michigan-Huron broken records the past two months, but they have been very near record lows for the last several months before then. Lake Michigan-Huron's water levels have also been below average for the past 14 years, which is the longest period of sustained below average levels since 1918 for that lake."
 
   The current record low water levels on Lake Michigan-Huron are the result of lower than average snowfall during the winter of 2011-2012, coupled with the very hot and dry summer. Together these conditions led to only a 4 inch seasonal rise of Lake Michigan-Huron in 2012, compared to an average rise of 12 inches. Also, evaporation was significantly above average during the summer and fall months and contributed to a very rapid seasonal decline.
 
    Access a release from USACE-Detroit (click here). Access the USACE-Detroit website for more information on Great Lakes water levels (click here). [#Glakes/Climate]

 

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Senate EPW Hearing On Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund

Jan 31: The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, Chaired by Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), with Ranking Member David Vitter (R-LA), held a hearing entitled, "The Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund and the Need to Invest in the Nation's Ports." Witnesses included: Jo-Ellen Darcy, Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works); and representatives from Port of Los Angeles; Associated Branch Pilots; Alabama State Port Authority; the American Society of Civil Engineers' Coasts, Oceans, Ports and Rivers Institute.

 

    In an opening statement, Senator Boxer introduced Sen. Vitter as the new Ranking Member and said they were working together on legislation for the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund. She said, "The Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund is the primary source of Federal investment to maintain America's ports. The Trust Fund is financed through a fee on the value of cargo imported through coastal and Great Lakes ports. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, if funding continues at current levels, by 2040 the U.S. will face a shortfall of nearly $28 billion to meet the dredging needs of the nation's ports. As we will hear from our witnesses today, this funding gap can have significant economic consequences.

    "Increasing investment in ports and reforming the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund will be critical components of the next Water Resources Development Act – known as WRDA. Senator Vitter and I have already begun working together on this vital legislation which supports water resources infrastructure nationwide. WRDA authorizes the projects and programs of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and provides many benefits to the American people -- including expanding and maintaining navigation routes for commerce."

 

    She continued saying, "Significant challenges remain in working to ensure that revenues collected in the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund are fully expended, including identification of necessary offsets. I look forward to collaborating with all of my colleagues as we look for creative solutions to this challenging issue. In addition, we must also look at ways to ensure that ports which collect the most Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund revenues receive an equitable share of Federal investment. Currently, some of these ports receive only a fraction of the funds that users of their ports pay into the Trust Fund. I have proposed a provision for the next WRDA bill that would increase equity for ports nationwide. The provision would allow certain ports to use harbor maintenance funds for limited additional uses after other traditional operation and maintenance needs are met. This would be an important step forward in ensuring our nation's most essential ports receive an equitable share of harbor maintenance revenues.

   

    The Great Lakes Governors have applauded the recent introduction of legislation that would permanently fix the nation's dysfunctional funding program to maintain ports and harbors [See WIMS 1/25/13]. Specifically, the Governors pledged their support for the Realize America's Maritime Promise (RAMP) Act, H.R. 335, and commended the sponsors for their leadership in introducing this bill. The bill was introduced by Rep. Charles Boustany, Jr. (R-LA) and has 47 cosponsors.

 

    Michigan Governor Rick Snyder (R), Co-Chair of the Council of Great Lakes Governors (CGLG) said, "I applaud the Congressmen for working to enact what is really a simple solution to a major problem—actually spending funds already collected for the purpose of harbor maintenance on harbor maintenance. This solution is critical for our region's ports and harbors, and for the national economy." Illinois Governor Pat Quinn (D), Co-Chair said, "Congress must act to provide relief to our harbors. Drought and low water levels have created a crisis that is only compounded by the failure to spend federal funds that have already been collected and set aside for just this purpose." 

    Access the hearing website and link to all testimony and a webcast (click here). Access legislative details for HR.335 (click here). [#GLakes/Harbors] 

 

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$3.7 Million For Great Lakes Enhance Restoration Efforts

Jan 31:The University of Michigan Water Center [See WIMS 12/13/12] is soliciting applications for funding to support and enhance restoration efforts within the Great Lakes Basin. Up to $3.7 million dollars will be awarded to high quality projects that can demonstrate specific benefits for advancing restoration approaches in the Great Lakes. The request for proposals is an important part of the Center's efforts to enhance restoration activities by engaging the region's best scientific minds in advancing evaluation and assessment of restoration projects. Through this process we also seek to improve restoration and protection technologies and techniques and develop a collective framework for large-scale restoration and protection efforts.

 

    The Center is seeking projects that support existing restoration and protection efforts in the Great Lakes basin. Projects should emphasize synthesis and assessment of existing data/information, with little support provided for new data collection. Projects should address one or more of the following topic areas:

1. Conducting assessments of economic and/or environmental outcomes for existing Canadian and/or U.S. restoration efforts such as the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI);
2. Strengthening Great Lakes restoration projects through enhanced integration of science into restoration efforts that span multiple stressors and/or cover larger geographic areas in the Great Lakes basin. These projects should include elements that identify key science and management gaps;
3. Improving restoration and protection science, techniques, and methods for the Great Lakes basin ecosystem.

    Expressions of Interest are due by midnight Eastern Time on February 22, 2013. Water Center staff will address questions during a webinar on February 14, 2013, from 2-3 PM. Webinar details will be posted on the Water Center website when available. Responses to questions will be posted in a Frequently Asked Questions document that will be regularly updated while the request for proposals is open.

 

    Access details on proposal guidelines and submission, including all relevant deadlines and contacts (click here). Access the U-M Water Center website for background information (click here). [#MIGLakes/Funding]

 

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Great Lakes Governors Applaud Bill To Fix Funding For Ports & Harbors

Jan 25: The Great Lakes Governors applauded the recent introduction of legislation in Congress that would permanently fix the nation's dysfunctional funding program to maintain ports and harbors.  Specifically, the Governors pledged their support for the Realize America's Maritime Promise (RAMP) Act, H.R. 335, and commended the sponsors for their leadership in introducing this bill. The bill was introduced by Rep. Charles Boustany, Jr. (R-LA) and has 47 cosponsors. Once enacted, the legislation would immediately help to put Americans to work on improving ports and harbors, while representing a long-term investment to enhance both the nation's and the region's global economic competitiveness.
 
    Governor Rick Snyder (R-MI), Co-Chair of the Council of Great Lakes Governors (CGLG) said, "I applaud the Congressmen for working to enact what is really a simple solution to a major problem—actually spending funds already collected for the purpose of harbor maintenance on harbor maintenance. This solution is critical for our region's ports and harbors, and for the national economy." Governor Pat Quinn (D-IL), Co-Chair said, "Congress must act to provide relief to our harbors. Drought and low water levels have created a crisis that is only compounded by the failure to spend federal funds that have already been collected and set aside for just this purpose." 
 
    The Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF) was created in 1986 to establish a dedicated funding source for dredging and other required maintenance of the nation's coastal harbors. Cargo vessels are assessed a user fee on imported and domestic cargo arriving at U.S. ports and harbors. Recent annual revenue from these fees has totaled about $1.5 billion, but only about half of that amount has been spent on its intended purpose. This trend has led to inadequate dredging of harbors and ports, which forces ships to carry lighter cargo loads and increases the cost per ton to move cargo.  As the Great Lakes water levels reach historic lows, this problem has been exacerbated and hindered job creation, economic growth and competitiveness.
 
    The President's FY2013 budget includes $31 million for dredging Great Lakes harbors but the Federal government estimates that about twice that amount is needed in this year alone. Further, the total backlog of dredging needs for Great Lakes harbors totals approximately $200 million. Failure to address these needs jeopardizes our region's ports, particularly smaller ports that provide the livelihood of many smaller cities and towns. For instance, the ports of Waukegan, Illinois, and St. Joseph, Michigan, recently faced closure because of inadequate dredging. 
 
    A release from CGLG indicates that the legislation will ensure that all funds deposited into the trust fund in a given fiscal year are fully expended. A broad, national coalition supports this long-term solution to more closely tie trust fund expenditures to revenues, maintain the nation's ports and harbors, and bolster the American economy.

 

    Access a release from and link to more information (click here). Access legislative details for HR.335 (click here). 

 

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NOAA Marine Debris Research Funding Opportunity

Jan 25: The NOAA Marine Debris Program is seeking applicants for research into the persistence and chemical impacts of marine debris. Original, hypothesis-driven projects that address one of these focus areas is the subject of this funding opportunity. NOAA expects to fund research projects in focus areas that have not previously been addressed to scientific standards. This is not a request for project proposals that address outreach, education, or removal of marine debris; rather it is a focused effort to address specific research topics and advance the state of the science regarding the persistence and chemical impacts of marine debris. Funding of up to $500,000 is expected to be available. Typical awards will range from $25,000 to $200,000. Funding is contingent upon the availability of Fiscal Year 2013 appropriations. Applications will be accepted via grants.gov until February 28, 2013.

 

    Access the grants.gov website for Funding Opportunity # NOAA-NOS-ORR-2013-2003594 (click here). Access the NOAA Marine Debris website for additional information (click here).

 

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How Climate Change Is Damaging The Great Lakes

Jan 18: Matt Kasper with the Center for American Progress (CAP) has posted an article as a guest blogger on the Climate Progress blog. The posting is entitled, How Climate Change Is Damaging The Great Lakes, With Implications For The Environment And The Economy.

 

    According to the posting, "Great Lakes Michigan and Huron set a new record low water level for the month of December, and in the coming weeks the could record their lowest water levels ever. It's becoming certain that, like the rest of the country, the Great Lakes are feeling the effects of climate change. Last year was officially the warmest year on record for the lower-48 states. The hot summer air has been causing the surface water of the Great Lakes to increase in temperature. One might think this causes more precipitation around the lakes, but the warmer winter air is causing a shorter duration of ice cover. In fact, the amount of ice covering the lakes has declined about 71 percent over the past 40 years. Last year, only 5 percent of the lakes froze over –- compared to 1979 when ice coverage was as much as 94 percent.

    "Furthermore, the continuing effect of the historic drought in the Midwest is causing increased levels of evaporation. This combination of climate change side-effects results in low water levels for the Great Lakes. The impact climate change has on the five lakes (Superior, Michigan, Huron Erie, and Ontario) will have serious implications for aquatic life, as well as high economic costs for communities."

    The posting includes maps and information developed by the Great Lakes Environmental Assessment and Mapping project (GLEAM) that illustrate the severity of the environmental impacts on the lakes, as well as the warming temperature of the lakes. Also included are information from the NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL) and the draft Third National Climate Assessment draft.

    Access the complete posting with links to the various cited resources (click here).

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