EDITORIAL: Microbead ban will ease harm to Lake Erie

<> EDITORIAL: Microbead ban will ease harm to Lake Erie - A new nationwide ban on microbeads should particularly benefit Lake Erie, which has a high density of the plastic pellets as it is the shallowest of the Great Lakes.

Steady decline in wetlands endangers Great Lakes

<> Steady decline in wetlands endangers Great Lakes - A recent study by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, which used data collected by our (Ducks Unlimited) mapping experts, points to staggering losses. Status and Trends of Michigan's Wetlands: Pre-European Settlement to 2005

Asian carp could cause some Lake Erie fish to decline, others to increase

<> Asian carp could cause some Lake Erie fish to decline, others to increase - If they successfully invade Lake Erie, Asian carp could eventually account for about a third of the total weight of fish in the lake and could cause declines in most fish species -- including prized sport and commercial fish such as walleye, according to a new computer modeling study. Study: Forecasting the Impacts of Silver and Bighead Carp on the Lake Erie Food Web

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