Indiana court upholds public right to walk - and sunbathe - on Lake Michigan shore

<> Indiana court upholds public right to walk - and sunbathe - on Lake Michigan shore - A LaPorte County judge declined to modify citizens' rights to use Indiana's Lake Michigan beaches on Dec 18.

Holiday Break

Subscribers Note: WIMS will be on Christmas – New Year break for the next two weeks. We will resume publication on Monday, January 4, 2016.   Have a safe & happy holiday season.

Scientists predict huge Lake Erie algae blooms

<> Scientists predict huge Lake Erie algae blooms - Scientists at the American Geophysical Union's annual conference in San Francisco are releasing a report today that predicts huge algal growth in Lake Erie for decades, even if the region's policymakers are able to achieve their goal of a 40 percent reduction in farm fertilizers and other nutrients going into the water over the next 10 years. Climate Change Rapidly Warming World's Lakes

Federal Budget Advances Key Great Lakes Priorities

<> Federal Budget Advances Key Great Lakes Priorities -- Provides $300 million to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to clean up toxic pollution, restore fish and wildlife habitat, reduce farm and city runoff, and combat invasive species -- also, approximately $510 million for the eight-state Great Lakes region -- MN, WI, IL, IN, MI OH, PA, & NY

EDITORIAL: Lake Erie wind farm could blow away last vestiges of Cleveland Rust Belt rep

<> EDITORIAL: Lake Erie wind farm could blow away last vestiges of Cleveland Rust Belt rep - The $120 million pilot wind farm project in Lake Erie just eight to 10 miles northwest of downtown Cleveland, Ohio, will help the city become a center of innovative alternative energy -- The non-profit Lake Erie Energy Development Co., or LEEDCo, has been planning a six-turbine pilot project that will generate about 20 megawatts of electricity at peak output.

Marine sanctuary possible for Lake Superior

<> Marine sanctuary possible for Lake Superior - The possibility of naming a Lake Superior National Marine Sanctuary in western Lake Superior is the topic of this month's Iron County Citizen's Forum -- the designation is eyed mainly for Chequamegon Bay near Ashland, WI but the designation could extend east to Iron County, WI.

2016 Great Lakes Commission Semiannual Meeting and Great Lakes Day

<> 2016 Great Lakes Commission Semiannual Meeting and Great Lakes Day - Registration is now open for the 2016 Great Lakes Commission Semiannual Meeting and Great Lakes Day in Washington, D.C., to be held Feb. 23-25.