Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Interactive Map Of Great Lakes Restoration Work

Apr 9: The Great Lakes Commission (GLC) has unveiled a new interactive map showcasing nearly 1,000 restoration projects being implemented under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI). The site, available on the GLC website includes map overlays of Congressional districts, and state and county boundaries. The website showcases GLRI restoration projects funded in fiscal years 2010-2012, with an emphasis on "on-the-ground" actions. The project table is fully searchable and can be sorted by title, lead agency, state and other parameters. When users click on a project in the table the map zooms into the site.

    When county or congressional district boundaries are turned on, the map shows what county a project is located in or which Member of Congress represents the district and the percentage of the district that lies within the Great Lakes Basin. The project table "disaggregates" programs to show separate on-the-ground projects, versus showing a grant program managed by an agency or organization. For example, the map shows separate contaminated sediment cleanups implemented under the Great Lakes Legacy Act program.

    The website emphasizes on-the-ground actions and does not include some projects focused on research, monitoring, public education and other broad-scale activities not focused on a specific site. The project locations may represent a specific site or the watershed in which restoration work is being conducted. In some cases the site is the
location of the lead agency. The Commission has also produced state-specific factsheets showcasing how the GLRI is benefiting each of the eight Great Lakes states.
 
    Access a release from GLC with more information with links to more information (click here). Access the interactive map (click here). [GLakes]
 
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Posted by JPMcJ at 4/09/2013 0 comments

Friday, March 29, 2013

Environmental Groups Say EPA's Vessel Permit Is Too Weak

Mar 29: Major environmental organizations are saying that the U.S. EPA new General Discharge Permit to regulate ballast water discharges from commercial vessels in U.S. waters "falls far short of what is needed." The coalition of organizations had previously sued the Agency to win a tougher permit. EPA announced yesterday it had issued a final vessel general permit regulating discharges from commercial vessels, including ballast water. The final vessel general permit covers commercial vessels greater than 79 feet in length, excluding military and recreational vessels, and will replace the 2008 vessel general permit due to expire on December 19, 2013. EPA said the permit regulates 27 specific discharge categories, and will also provide improvements to the efficiency of the permit process, and clarify discharge requirements [See WIMS 3/28/13].

    The environmental groups indicated in a release that invasive species introduced and spread via ballast water discharge are already wreaking havoc on U.S. waters. For example, a litany of non-native invaders -- including zebra mussels, quagga mussels, spiny water fleas and round gobies -- have turned the Great Lakes ecosystem on its head, altering the food web and threatening the health of native fish and wildlife. Non-native ballast water invaders cost Great Lakes citizens, utilities, cities and businesses at least $1 billion every five years in damages and control costs, according to research by the University of Notre Dame. Invasive species exact similar significant economic costs throughout American waterways and on both coasts.

    They said despite the significant regional economic drain brought about by invasive species, the EPA permit fails to deliver strict enough standards to protect the nation's waters, choosing instead to adopt weak International Marine Organizations (IMO) standards. While there is no hard deadline for ships to install systems to clean ballast water, EPA "expects" that the process will take a half-decade to complete.

    Previously, the groups called for the new permit to include a discharge standard stringent enough to prevent invasive species and the most protective technology standards nationwide, develop standards for "lakers" (ships that ply the Great Lakes) and put more aggressive timelines to implement new technology standards into place. None of these actions were taken, leaving American waters at risk. Groups issuing the release included: the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC); National Wildlife Federation's (NWF) Great Lakes office; Northwest Environmental Advocates; Great Lakes United; and the Alliance for the Great Lakes.

    Rebecca Riley, attorney for NRDC said, The Clean Water Act gives the EPA authority to stop invasive species from entering the Great Lakes in ballast water---they just chose not to use it. This failure threatens our economy and the single most important freshwater resource on the continent." Marc Smith, senior policy manager for NWF's Great Lakes office said, "The permit will not adequately protect the Great Lakes and other U.S. waters from ballast water invaders. The EPA's failure to protect water quality leaves the door open for future harm to our environment and economy."

    Access a release from the groups (click here). Access links to a 1-page fact sheet and the complete prepublication federal register notice, general permit and economic analysis (click here). Access EPA's overall Vessel Discharge website for more information(click here). [#Water, #GLakes]

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Posted by JPMcJ at 3/29/2013 1 comments

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Groups Petition For Moratorium & New Pipeline Regs

Mar 27: A coalition of landowners, former and current government officials, environmental, renewable energy and sportsmen's groups filed a petition today with the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT's) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and the U.S. EPA asking the agencies to develop stronger safety standards for tar sands oil pipelines.

    Beth Wallace with the Great Lakes Regional Center said, "Three years after the largest inland oil spill in U.S. history, little has been done to improve pipeline safety. This disaster should have been a wake-up call to industry, regulators and public officials. Instead industry is being allowed to expand pipelines across the region and even under the Great Lakes themselves, which will continue to put communities, wildlife and our economy at risk."   

    The petition effort is spearheaded by the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) and includes 29 national, state and local organizations as well as 36 landowners from states across the country impacted by existing and proposed tar sands pipelines. It requests a halt to new or expanded tar sands pipelines until adequate rules are in place.
 
    Jim Murphy, Senior Council at NWF said, "This petition is an exercise of citizens' rights to request that government live up to its charge to follow the law, and protect us from the harms and risk of a tar sands pipeline spill. Until the right standards are put into place, we shouldn't be exposing more communities and resources to tar sands risks. We expect the government to answer our request and live up to its charge to properly address the unique risks of tar sands transportation."
 
    According to a release from the groups, current pipeline regulations were issued long before tar sands oil production ramped up and do not cover the unique aspects of tar sands. Tar sands oil poses more acute risks than conventional fuels shipped through pipelines because the oil is a volatile mix of raw bitumen – an asphalt-like substance – diluted with gas condensates. Diluted bitumen is a toxic, viscous, corrosive substance with the consistency of gritty peanut butter that must be moved at much higher pressures and temperatures than conventional oil. Strong evidence indicates tar sands oil threatens pipeline integrity.
 
    Jeff Inkso, writer of the Line 6B citizen blog and landowner impacted by the Enbridge expansion project said, "Even after what happened in Marshall, pipeline companies have continued to run roughshod over the state of Michigan while regulatory agencies and elected officials have stood by idly and allowed it to happen."
 
    Between 2007 and 2010, pipelines in North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan -- the main states with a history of tar sands oil pipelines -- spilled almost three times more crude oil per mile of pipeline when compared to the U.S. national average. In a scathing report on the Kalamazoo River spill near Marshall, MI, the National Transportation Safety Board pointed blame at current regulations, calling them "weak" and "inadequate." The petition requests new standards tightening several aspects of oil transport and pipeline safety:
  • Stronger safety requirements than those for conventional crude oil;
  • Industry disclosure of products carried through pipelines and their conveyance schedules;
  • Stronger industry spill response plans;
  • Shut-down requirements upon the first indication of a leak or other pipeline failure;
  • Repair of pipelines as soon as defects are discovered;
  • Transparent pipeline inspection reporting; and
  • Pipeline inspection and monitoring by independent entities unaffiliated with pipeline or energy companies;
  • A moratorium on building new or expanded tar sands pipelines until new regulations are final. 
    Supporters of the petition will be seeking cosigners over the next few months. Under the U.S. Constitution and the Federal Administrative Procedure Act, citizens can file a formal petition requesting that a Federal agency take specific actions required by law or change existing regulations. The petition requests a change in existing regulations. Federal agencies are required to respond.
 
    Access a release from NWF with a complete list of petition signers (click here). Access the complete 54-page petition with links to referenced documents and information (click here). [#Energy/Pipeline, #GLakes]
 
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Posted by JPMcJ at 3/28/2013 0 comments

EPA Issues A Final Vessel General Permit

Mar 28: U.S. EPA announced it has issued a final vessel general permit regulating discharges from commercial vessels, including ballast water, to protect the nation's waters from ship-borne pollutants and reduce invasive species in U.S. waters. The final vessel general permit covers commercial vessels greater than 79 feet in length, excluding military and recreational vessels, and will replace the 2008 vessel general permit due to expire on December 19, 2013. EPA said the permit regulates 27 specific discharge categories, and will also provide improvements to the efficiency of the permit process, and clarify discharge requirements by the following:
  • Reduce the risks of introduction of invasive species. The permit includes a more stringent numeric discharge standard limiting the release of non-indigenous invasive species in ballast water. The permit also contains additional environmental protection for the Great Lakes, which have suffered disproportionate impacts from invasive species, aligning Federal standards with many Great Lakes states by requiring certain vessels to take additional precautions to reduce the risk of introducing new invasive species to U.S. waters.
  • Reduce administrative burden for vessel owners and operators. The permit will eliminate duplicative reporting requirements, expand electronic recordkeeping opportunities, and reduce self-inspection frequency for vessels that are out of service for extended periods.
    EPA said the new discharge standards are supported by independent studies by the Agency's science advisory board and the National Research Council (NRC), and are consistent with those contained in the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) 2004 Ballast Water Convention. EPA is issuing the permit in advance of the current permit's expiration to provide the regulated community time and flexibility to come into compliance with the new requirements. The new permit is effective on December 19, 2013.
 
    Access a release from EPA (click here). Access links to a 1-page fact sheet and the complete prepublication federal register notice, general permit and economic analysis (click here). Access EPA's overall Vessel Discharge website for more information(click here). [#Water, #GLakes]
 
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Posted by JPMcJ at 3/28/2013 0 comments

Friday, March 22, 2013

Settlement Would End S.S. Badger Coal Ash Discharge

Mar 22: U.S. EPA announced the lodging of a proposed consent decree that requires Lake Michigan Carferry Service, Inc. (LMC) of Ludington, Michigan, to eliminate the discharge of coal ash into Lake Michigan from the operation of the S.S. Badger by the end of the 2014 sailing season. In 2013 and 2014, the ferry will reduce its discharge of coal ash and LMC will pay a $25,000 civil penalty for violating mercury water quality standards in 2012, according to the proposed consent decree. 

    EPA Region 5 Administrator Susan Hedman said, "This consent decree offers the fastest and most certain path available to EPA to stop the discharge of coal ash from the Badger into Lake Michigan. The enforcement agreement reduces the discharge of coal ash more quickly and with greater oversight than would occur during the appeal of a decision to issue or deny a permit -- a process that often takes several years." The S.S. Badger was authorized to discharge coal ash under the 2008 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Vessel General Permit. A permit provision authorized that discharge until December 2012. The S.S. Badger is the last coal-fired ship operating on the Great Lakes.

    Last year, LMC applied for an individual NPDES permit to allow the S.S. Badger to continue discharging coal ash into Lake Michigan. In light of the settlement announced, EPA does not plan to make a decision on that permit application. DOJ and EPA will accept and consider comments on the proposed consent decree during a 30-day public comment period, to be announced shortly in the Federal Register. The proposed consent decree is available now on the DOJ website (see below).

    Access a release from EPA (click here). Access the legal complaint filed in Federal Court (click here). Access the proposed consent decree (click here). Access extensive background and a chronology on the S.S. Badger issue from EPA (click here). [GLakes, #Toxics, #Water]

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Posted by JPMcJ at 3/22/2013 0 comments

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Call For Papers On Great Lakes Restoration & Sustainability Issues

Mar 19: U.S. EPA's Office of Great Lakes has announced that Environmental Practice, the Journal of the National Association of Environmental Professionals, is seeking papers for possible publication. The issue topic is "Great Lakes Sustainability," featuring Guest Editor Dr. Susan Hedman, EPA's Great Lakes National Program Manager.
 
    EPA indicates that in light of the many difficult and complex challenges facing the Great Lakes ecosystem today, and given the current focus on its restoration and protection, this issue of Environmental Practice will be dedicated to exploring the challenges faced in Great Lakes restoration.  The Journal welcomes a variety of perspectives and submissions from scholars, practitioners, and students.  Manuscripts are particularly sought with a focus on public policy. The deadline for submittals is May 15, 2013.
 
    Access answers to questions from Dan Carroll, Managing Editor, Phone: 773-325-2298; or Lead Editor Kelly Tzoumis, Email: (click here). [#GLakes]
 
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Posted by JPMcJ at 3/19/2013 0 comments

Monday, March 18, 2013

Adaptive Management Plan To Address Great Lakes Water Levels

Mar 15: On May 29, 2012 the International Joint Commission (IJC) issued a directive to establish the International Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Adaptive Management Task Team and directed it to develop a detailed Adaptive Management Plan to address future extreme water levels in the Great Lake-St. Lawrence River system. The bi-national Team has now released its proposed Adaptive Management Plan -- Building Collaboration Across the Great Lakes – St. Lawrence River System: An Adaptive Management Plan for Addressing Extreme Water Levels. The proposed Adaptive Management provides a new approach to addressing water level issues, one that is based on working collaboratively with partners in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River system to gather and share critical information over time; assess the information with state-of-the art tools; develop adaptation strategies; measure collective success in managing the impacts of extreme water levels; and adapt accordingly. Its goal is provide a more efficient and cost effective way to support decision-making aimed  at reducing the impacts associated with future extreme water levels.

    The Adaptive Management Task Team is seeking input from the public on the draft Plan between March 15 and April 15, 2013. In particular, the Task Team would like feedback on the following: Do you support the general adaptive management approach for addressing future extreme water levels?; How could the proposed Adaptive Management Plan be improved?; and What concerns do you have about the proposed Adaptive Management Plan? Comments on the proposed Adaptive Management Plan can submitted until April 15, 2013. Comments submitted on-line will appear on the website and will contribute to the broader discussion. Following the public comment period, the Task Team will revise the Adaptive Management Plan and forward it to the IJC for its consideration.

    The Task Team is hosting a series of seven topical webinars to provide more information on key aspects of the proposed Adaptive Management Plan. The webinars are designed to deal with specific issue topics including: Hydroclimate Monitoring and Modeling; Performance Indicators and Risk Assessment; Plan Evaluation and Decision Tools; Information Management and Distribution; Governance for Adaptive Management; Outreach and Engagement; and Adaptive Management Pilot Projects.

    Access an announcement from IJC with details on the webinars and on-line commenting (click here). Access the complete 72-page draft plan (click here). [#GLakes/Levels]
 
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Posted by JPMcJ at 3/18/2013 0 comments
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