Report Shows $15 Billion In Great Lakes Local Government Investment

Feb 27: A report released by the Great Lakes Commission (GLC) and the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative (Cities Initiative) and funded by the Joyce Foundation, concludes that local governments in the U.S. and Canada invest an estimated $15 billion annually to protect and restore the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River, but cannot keep pace with the one-two punch of escalating threats to the resource and ongoing cuts in Federal restoration programs. Michigan Lt. Gov. John Cherry, chair of the Great Lakes Commission said, “This report clearly demonstrates that our cities and other communities are ready and willing partners in the protection and restoration of the Great Lakes – St. Lawrence ecosystem. Their contributions at the local level play a key role in the environmental health and well-being of the entire system, and they need and deserve federal support in those efforts.”

Results from the 143 U.S. and Canadian local governments that responded to the survey document 2006 local investment at $2.5 billion on water quality management activities, including wastewater systems operation, maintenance and infrastructure, and $784 million on ecosystem protection activities such as greenspace protection and recycling/reuse programs. By extrapolating to incorporate the entire survey population of 688 local governments, which included cities, towns, villages, counties, regional municipalities and conservation authorities, the estimated local government investment is $15 billion annually, with $12 billion for water quality management and $3 billion for ecosystem protection.

Mayor Richard Daley of Chicago, founding U.S. chair of the Cities Initiative said, “This study makes it clear that there is a growing movement that recognizes the need for long-term funding for Great Lakes protection and restoration, but it also suggests that we need to do more. All our cities desperately need significant funding for water and wastewater infrastructure, but it’s still not on the radar of the national government and it’s time for them to step up and help protect this precious natural resource.” The survey found that in both the United States and Canada, local investment was highest in the area of wastewater systems operation, maintenance and infrastructure. U.S. survey results alone indicate that local government makes capital investments in wastewater infrastructure in the Great Lakes Basin at well over 10 times the U.S. Federal government. Federal funding through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) has been cut by 49 percent since 2004 and more cuts are proposed for 2009. When viewed in light of the survey results, these cuts only amplify the need for Congress to restore funding of the CWSRF to $1.35 billion.

The report -- Local Investment In The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence -- is expected to build support in the United States for Federal legislation to implement recommendations of the 2005 Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Strategy to Restore and Protect the Great Lakes -- the product of a year-long initiative among Federal, state and local governments, tribes and other stakeholders that was established by a presidential executive order. Among the Strategy’s foremost recommendations to protect and restore the Great Lakes is increased federal investment in storm-and wastewater treatment, to supplement the substantial local investment documented in the report.

Access a release from the GLC and Cities Initiative (click here). Access the complete 89-page report (click here). Access further information from the Cities Initiative including an Introduction, Synopsis, Survey Fact Sheets (respondents, results) Press event speakers, and Clean Water State Revolving Fund facts (click here).

U.S. Seaway Development Corporation Finalizes Ballast Water Regs

Feb 25: The U.S. Department of Transportation's Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC) have published the final rule governing ballast water regulation in the Federal Register [73 FR 9950-9954]. SLSDC and the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) of Canada, under international agreement, jointly publish and presently administer the St. Lawrence Seaway Regulations and Rules (Practices and Procedures in Canada) in their respective jurisdictions. Under agreement with the SLSMC, the SLSDC is amending the joint regulations by updating the Regulations and Rules in various categories. The changes will update the sections of the Regulations and Rules: Condition of Vessels; Seaway Navigation; and, Information and Reports.

The SLSDC is seeking to harmonize the ballast water requirements for vessels transiting the U.S. waters of the Seaway after having operated outside the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) with those currently required by Canadian authorities for transit in waters under Canadian jurisdiction of the Seaway. These amendments are necessary to take account of updated procedures and will eliminate the confusion regarding the requirements for saltwater flushing in the binational waters of the Seaway System. The final rule will be effective March 26, 2008. SLSMC and SLSDC originally announced the coordination of the regulation of ballast water management practices between the two countries for the 2008 season on January 16, 2008 [See WIMS 1/17/08].

Beginning with the 2008 navigation season, all ocean vessels, including those with "no ballast on board", will be subjected to an inspection, covering 100% of ballast water tanks. The inspection process will ensure that the vessel -- while still a minimum of 200 km offshore -- flushed all of its tanks with salt water. On subsequent transits during the year, the vessel will again be subjected to a series of inspections, with the objective of ensuring that the vessel's crew is strictly adhering to the salt water flushing practice.

Saltwater flushing is defined as the addition of midocean water to ballast water tanks: the mixing of the flushwater with residual water and sediment through the motion of the vessel; and the discharge of the mixed water. The resultant residual water remaining in the tank must have a salinity level of at least 30 parts per thousand (ppt). Further, each vessel must maintain the ability to measure salinity levels in each tank onboard the vessel so that final salinities of at least 30 parts per thousand can be ensured. Any vessel that has tanks that fail to reach this salinity level will be required to retain any water in those tanks until it exits the Seaway.

According to the Federal Register notice, SLSDC received 15 letters or other forms of correspondence on the proposed regulation requiring saltwater flushing of ballast water tanks that contain residual amounts of water and/or sediment. Comments were received from: Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Great Lakes Commission, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Shipping Federation of Canada, McCabe Chapter of IWLA, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Environmental Coalition on Invasive Species, Great Lakes United/Save The River/Alliance for the Great Lakes, Natural Resources Defense Council, the Polish Steamship Company, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, and 3 private citizens. All 15 comments supported the proposed regulations and eleven of the commenters stated that while the regulation is an important step in the right direction, more needs to be done to reduce invasions of aquatic nuisance species (ANS).

Access the FR announcement which includes a details discussion of the various comments (click here). Access the SLSDC website (click here). Access the SLSMC Ballast Water website for extensive information (click here).

MSU & WJR Launch Greening of the Great Lakes Website

Feb 22: Michigan State University (MSU) and News/Talk 760 WJR radio have launched a website called "Greening of the Great Lakes." The goal of the website is to provide information and insight into the organizations committed to making the Great Lakes region a leader in environmental practices. It's designed to be an online resource for anyone interested in learning about the Great Lakes region, related environmental issues and ways that they can protect the environment.

MSU President Lou Anna Simon said, "'Greening of the Great Lakes' is an exciting extension of MSU's partnership with WJR. The stewardship of the environment in which we live is vitally important to all of us, especially when it concerns our treasured Great Lakes. We want 'Greening of the Great Lakes' to become the online resource for all the important information people need to incorporate sound environmental practices into their daily lives." WJR President and General Manager Mike Fezzey said, "The outstanding partnership between WJR and MSU to create Greening of the Great Lakes has not only created a place where listeners can go to find extensive resources for those dedicated to living an environmentally friendly lifestyle, but this site will stay on the cutting edge of environmental related news and information."

Almost all of the information and resources on the site are and will continue to be provided by MSU and a dozen current company sponsor. The website is divided into several categories and sub-categories related to our environment.Primary categories include: Agriculture, Biobased Technologies, Companies Contributing, ECO/AGRI Tourism, Energy, Green Building, Green Careers, Green Facts, Green Products, Public Policy, Recycling, Transportation, Green Events and Water and Land. One of the primary features of the Web site is Green in the News and Regional Green in the News. This news feed is produced by MSU's Knight Center for Environmental Journalism through a news service called Michigan's Echo.

Access a release with further information (click here).

Great Lakes Commission Outlines Major Priorities

Feb 21: Michigan Lt. Governor John Cherry, Chairman of the Great Lakes Commission (GLC) reiterated the need for increased protection and preservation of the Great Lakes and urged lawmakers in Washington over the next year to increase Federal investments in Michigan's greatest natural resource. Cherry said, "With one-fifth of the Earth's surface freshwater supply, the Great Lakes are truly a world-class resource and a national treasure without peer. State, local, tribal and private interests contribute billions of dollars for Great Lakes protection. It is essential that the Federal government step up its support, recognizing that investing in the Great Lakes will protect a national asset and produce a good return for taxpayers' dollars."

Acting on behalf of its membership -- the Great Lakes states -- the GLC will present its annual list of Federal legislative priorities to Congress on February 28, which has been designated as Great Lakes Day in Washington. The annual event, held in conjunction with the Northeast-Midwest Institute and the Healing Our Waters® - Great Lakes Coalition, is designed to convey a unified message regarding Great Lakes needs and legislation to address them.

At the top of the list -- legislation to curb the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species and to implement other key recommendations of the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration's Strategy to Restore and Protect the Great Lakes. The GLC said its priorities are consistent with and complement those of the Council of Great Lakes Governors.

The commission outlined four of its highest priorities -- (1) Enacting legislation to curb the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species by ensuring that commercial vessels visiting Great Lakes ports meet uniform ballast water discharge requirements, providing funding to control invasive sea lamprey and complete a barrier to prevent Asian carp from migrating into the lakes from the Mississippi drainage. (2) Reauthorizing and fully funding the Great Lakes Legacy Act at $150 million a year to clean up contaminated hot spots in Great Lakes rivers and harbors [See WIMS 2/19/08]. (3) Appropriating $28.5 million to restore 200,000 acres of wetlands toward the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration strategy's goal of restoring 550,000 acres. (4) Appropriating $1.35 billion nationwide to protect water quality by restoring funding to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund - cut significantly in 2008. The program is essential to updating sewerage systems and improving coastal health in the Great Lakes and nationwide.

Access a release from Chairman Cherry (click here). Access a full list of GLC's FY2009 legislative priorities, fact sheets and related information (click here).

Great Lakes Fish And Wildlife Restoration Grants

Feb 15: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is seeking pre-proposals for projects to restore Great Lakes fish and wildlife resources through its Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Grants Program. The program provides Federal grants on a competitive basis to states, tribes and other interested entities to encourage cooperative conservation, restoration and management of fish and wildlife resources and their habitats in the Great Lakes basin. Projects are funded under authority of the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act of 2006.

Since 1998, 72 restoration projects totaling $6.6 million, including $3.9 million in Federal funds, have been implemented. FWS contributes up to 75 percent of the cost of the projects, with matching funds and expertise coming from partner organizations. To date, more than 60 organizations have participated in projects funded under the act. States, Federally recognized Indian Tribal governments and Native American treaty organizations within the Great Lakes basin are eligible to apply for the funding. Non-government and conservation organizations may also receive funding, if sponsored by an organization listed above; however, sponsorship is not required at the pre-proposal stage. Applicants must submit their pre-proposals to FWS by March 28, 2008.

Access a release from FWS (click here). Access a request for proposals, instructions for submitting pre-proposals and complete background information (click here).

Governors Decry "Misguided Efforts" To "Derail" Compact

Feb 19: According to a release from the Great Lakes Council of Governors (CGLG), the eight Great Lakes Governors renewed their call to state legislators to take the steps needed to protect the region’s most valuable asset, the Great Lakes. Specifically, the Governors adopted a resolution again urging swift enactment of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact (compact) and rejected calls for renegotiations that will only serve to weaken the protections they endorsed more than two years ago. The Governors issued a clear statement decrying recent proposals to upset the delicate compromise among diverse and varied interests in support of protecting the Great Lakes through the compact.

On February 14, Ohio Senate President Bill Harris (R-Ashland, OH), and Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Michael Huebsch (R-West Salem, WI) announced they had teamed up to propose "modification" of the Great Lakes Compact and said they "will move expeditiously to pass legislation in their respective chambers." [See WIMS 2/15/08]

Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle, CGLG Chair said, “The Great Lakes are not only our greatest natural resource, but they are also a true national treasure. As Great Lakes Governors, we have been fighting to make sure we have a compact that preserves and protects the waters of the Great Lakes. We cannot allow misguided efforts to derail this important compact at this critical time.” Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty said, “This compact will improve and protect the health of the Great Lakes and our region’s economy. It was designed to enhance the protections many of our states already have in place and will protect us from new diversions of water from the Basin. We are hopeful that every Great Lakes state will ratify the compact soon.”

In a release the CGLG said, "The compact was developed by the Governors during an open and transparent process in order to ensure that everyone’s interests were represented and protected. As a result, there is an overwhelming consensus in favor of enacting the compact’s protections. Recent proposals by individual state legislators to change the compact threaten to destroy its protections and jeopardize regional management of the Great Lakes. Due to the legal vulnerability of current federal law, failure to enact the compact endorsed by the Governors will likely result in litigation through the courts or Congress interceding to exercise control over the Great Lakes.

Legislative approval has already been completed in four states: Minnesota, Illinois, New York and Indiana. Compact legislation has been approved by the Pennsylvania House and the Ohio House; bills are pending in Michigan; and, a bill is expected to be introduced soon in Wisconsin. Additionally, over 100 diverse groups of stakeholders who depend on the Great Lakes have endorsed the compact approved by the Governors.

Access a release from the Governors (click here). Access a resolution adopted by the Governors (click here). Access details on individual state adoption of the Compact (click here).

Great Lakes Commission Recommendations On Legacy Act

Feb 15: The Great Lakes Commission (GLC) is calling on Congress to reauthorize the Great Lakes Legacy Act in order to continue progress in remediating contaminated sediments in the Great Lakes Areas of Concern (AOCs). First passed in 2002, the Great Lakes Legacy Act authorizes funding to remediate contaminated sediments in the U.S. and binational Great Lakes Areas of Concern designated under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.

Commission Chair and Michigan Lt. Gov. John Cherry Jr., in a letter to Congressional leaders and members of the House and Senate Great Lakes Task Forces said, “The Legacy Act program has been highly successful in cleaning up toxic hot spots in Great Lakes rivers and harbors and has become a cornerstone of Great Lakes restoration efforts. It’s critical that Congress reauthorize the Great Lakes Legacy Act and maintain this vital program for restoring the Great Lakes.” Cherry noted that the Commission’s recommendations are consistent with the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration and that the Legacy Act enjoys strong support from the Great Lakes states, the business community, regional environmental organizations and local Area of Concern advisory councils.

The Commission recommended several amendments to benefit the Great Lakes states and improve the Legacy Act’s effectiveness and efficiency. Two major recommendations included, one, reauthorizing the Legacy Act through 2013 and increasing authorized appropriations to $150 million annually, consistent with the recommendations of the Great Lake Regional Collaboration and to better match the projected long-term costs of remediating contaminated sediments. Second, the GLC recommended that the current 35 percent nonfederal cost-share requirement be reduced to 25 percent for orphan sites where no responsible party is available to support the nonfederal cost share, to lessen the burden on states and local communities. The complete list of recommendations and additional information is available fro the contacts below.

To date, five cleanup projects and seven projects to monitor and evaluate contaminated sediments have been implemented under the Legacy Act, with eight additional projects now under review. The original Great Lakes Legacy Act enacted in 2002 authorized $270 million over five years to remediate contaminated sediments in Great Lakes Areas of Concern.

Access a release from the GLC (click here). Access the complete recommendations and background (click here).