Mackinac Straits, Line 5 focus of Coast Guard bill

<> Mackinac Straits, Line 5 focus of Coast Guard bill - Great Lakes transportation and oil pipeline safety are key factors in legislation expected to be signed by President Barack Obama in the near future -- In addition to calling for the new icebreaker, the bill also includes a provision Peters authored requiring the U.S. Coast Guard and other relevant federal agencies to coordinate an assessment of fresh water oil spill response activities, including during times of heavy ice cover. H.R. 4188: Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015

New EPA Report: $80 Billion Needed for Wastewater Infrastructure in Great Lakes States

<> New EPA Report: $80 Billion Needed for Wastewater Infrastructure in Great Lakes States - Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition says the Federal investment fails to keep pace with need -- at current funding levels, it will take 160 years to meet wastewater infrastructure needs of region. Report: Clean Watersheds Needs Survey 2012 Report to Congress Website: Clean Watersheds Needs Survey (CWNS) – 2012 Report and Data

Comments Wanted: 'Testing a Framework for Assessing the Effectiveness of Programs and Other Measures under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement'

<> Comments Wanted: 'Testing a Framework for Assessing the Effectiveness of Programs and Other Measures under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement' - The International Joint Commission (IJC) commissioned a study to test a methodology for the assessment of progress in the achievement of GLWQA objectives -- comments are appreciated by March 4, 2016.

MI Rep. Miller: 'No' to nuclear waste near Lake Huron

<> MI Rep. Miller: 'No' to nuclear waste near Lake Huron - Its backers contend the waste can be more safely stored there (in a limestone formation 2,200 feet below the surface) than it is today, on-site at nuclear power generating stations -- "In my view, that contention defies common sense."

IJC Diversion Report disappointing, says Restore Our Water Intl. rep

<> IJC Diversion Report disappointing, says Restore Our Water Intl. rep - An official with Restore Our Water International (ROWI) expressed her disappointment with comments made by the International Joint Commission (IJC) on a report released on Great Lakes water diversion. IJC Hails Progress by Governments in Protecting Great Lakes from Diversions - [Previously from WIMS] Group Says IJC Diversion Report "Game-Changing"- [Previously from WIMS]

Advocacy Alert: Great Lakes Net Pen Fish Farming

<> Advocacy Alert: Great Lakes Net Pen Fish Farming -  Advocacy Alert from Trout Unlimited: Great Lakes Net Pen Fish Farming It's Time for Your Voice to be Heard   We have been communicating with you for the last year about the proposal to allow large-scale commercial fish farming in the Great Lakes.

Great Lakes Fishery Trust (GLFT) RFP

<> Great Lakes Fishery Trust (GLFT) RFP - The Great Lakes Fishery Trust (GLFT) is now accepting proposals under its Ecosystem Health and Sustainable Fish Populations: Habitat Protection and Restoration focus area through two grant categories -- submissions through this request for proposals (RFP) process are due by Tuesday, March 8, 2016. Targeted Land and Capital Effort (Including Barrier Removals) RFP Habitat Information Initiative RFP