Oct 2: Environmental groups are asking the leaders of the Canadian Federal parties to put their name to a pledge to make toxic pollution in the Great Lakes region a top priority. They said the Pledge for a Toxics-Free Great Lakes establishes the first steps for cleaning up the Great Lakes. The groups include: Canadian Environmental Law Association; Great Lakes United; and Ecojustice.
Specifically, the pledge asks leaders to: (1) Support the vision of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, signed by Canada and the United States, to work toward the elimination of persistent toxic substances in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin. (2) Support the call for zero discharge of persistent toxic chemicals and other toxic substances in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River ecosystem by: Establishing a phase out and elimination strategy for toxic substances; applying a reverse onus that will require chemical users, manufacturers, importers and sellers to demonstrate safety of chemicals before use; assessing and implementing safe alternatives; and applying the precautionary principle. (3) By 2012, complete all actions need for delisting 10 Areas of Concern, and all actions completed for the remaining Areas of Concerns in Canada by 2015. (4) Create a Great Lakes Clean Water Infrastructure fund to upgrade and 'green' municipal wastewater and stormwater infrastructure.
Access a release (click here). Access links to background information, the pledge and find out who signs it (click here).
Friday, October 3, 2008
Thursday, October 2, 2008
USGS Reports On Lake Michigan Damage From Hurricane Ike
Sep 30: A release from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) indicates that although Hurricane Ike is long gone, its impact lingers more than a thousand miles from where it made landfall. Runoff from tributaries dumped massive amounts of sediment into Lake Michigan, contaminating the water, compromising near-shore navigation and raising E coli bacteria to levels unsafe for swimming. Richard Whitman, a USGS expert on beach health said, "The local effects that Ike had on Lake Michigan's Indiana shoreline, water depth, and water quality have been profound."
While assessing Ike's impact on the lake, Whitman noted that, "The velocity and height of a tributary emptying into Lake Michigan at Portage, Indiana went off the chart. We measured a tremendous amount of sediment accumulation Near Ogden Dunes." USGS uses high tech, state-of-the-art equipment in the lake to measure runoff, the lake's currents, and sediment input during storms. These data are used to forecast whether a beach is unsafe for swimmers. Beaches are subject to high bacteria levels following storms. Heavy rains from Ike significantly impacted northwestern Indiana and Chicago because the ground was already saturated by a stalled cold front.
Access a release from USGS with links to videos, pictures, and real-time data (click here).
While assessing Ike's impact on the lake, Whitman noted that, "The velocity and height of a tributary emptying into Lake Michigan at Portage, Indiana went off the chart. We measured a tremendous amount of sediment accumulation Near Ogden Dunes." USGS uses high tech, state-of-the-art equipment in the lake to measure runoff, the lake's currents, and sediment input during storms. These data are used to forecast whether a beach is unsafe for swimmers. Beaches are subject to high bacteria levels following storms. Heavy rains from Ike significantly impacted northwestern Indiana and Chicago because the ground was already saturated by a stalled cold front.
Access a release from USGS with links to videos, pictures, and real-time data (click here).
Monday, September 29, 2008
Great Lakes Interim Final Rule On Discharge Of Dry Cargo Residue
Sep 29: The U.S. Coast Guard announced in the Federal Register [73 FR 56492-56501] that it is amending its regulations to allow the discharge of bulk dry cargo residue (DCR) in limited areas of the Great Lakes by self-propelled vessels and by any barge that is part of an integrated tug and barge unit. DCR is the residue of non-toxic and non-hazardous bulk dry cargo like limestone, iron ore, and coal. The regulations also add new recordkeeping and reporting requirements and encourage carriers to adopt voluntary control measures for reducing discharges. Discharges are now prohibited in certain protected and sensitive areas where, previously, they were allowed. The Coast Guard also requests public comments on the need for and feasibility of additional conditions that might be imposed on discharges in the future, such as mandatory use of control measures, or further adjustments to the areas where discharges are allowed or prohibited.
The interim final rule takes effect September 29, 2008. Initial reports under amended 33 CFR 151.66(c)(4) are due January 15, 2009. Comments and related material submitted in response to the request for comments must be received before January 15, 2009. The action follows a May 23, 2008, notice of the rulemaking and of the availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). The Coast Guard says it received written comments on the proposed rule from 55 sources, and heard from 3 commenters at two public meetings in Duluth, MN, and Cleveland, OH, An additional notice of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and the Record of Decision (ROD)was announced on August 22, 2008.
In response to public comments, the Coast Guard extended the areas where DCR discharges are prohibited to include waters within three miles of shore at the following sites: Indiana Dunes and Sleeping Bear National Lakeshores on Lake Michigan and Grand Portage National Monument and Apostle Islands and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshores on Lake Superior.
Access the FR notice (click here). Access the docket for this rulemaking for background information and to review and submit comments (click here).
The interim final rule takes effect September 29, 2008. Initial reports under amended 33 CFR 151.66(c)(4) are due January 15, 2009. Comments and related material submitted in response to the request for comments must be received before January 15, 2009. The action follows a May 23, 2008, notice of the rulemaking and of the availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). The Coast Guard says it received written comments on the proposed rule from 55 sources, and heard from 3 commenters at two public meetings in Duluth, MN, and Cleveland, OH, An additional notice of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and the Record of Decision (ROD)was announced on August 22, 2008.
In response to public comments, the Coast Guard extended the areas where DCR discharges are prohibited to include waters within three miles of shore at the following sites: Indiana Dunes and Sleeping Bear National Lakeshores on Lake Michigan and Grand Portage National Monument and Apostle Islands and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshores on Lake Superior.
Access the FR notice (click here). Access the docket for this rulemaking for background information and to review and submit comments (click here).
Legacy Act Passes; White House Cuts Funding
Sep 29: The Great Lakes Commission (GLC) issued a release applauding Congressional leaders for securing reauthorizing of the Great Lakes Legacy Act (H.R 6460). The House of Representatives re-approved an amended version of H.R. 6460 on September 28, which extends the Legacy Act for two years at level funding of $54 million per year. The bill now goes to President Bush for signing.
According to a release from Michigan Lt. Governor and Great Lakes Commission (GLC) Chairman John Cherry, "While this is a positive step forward, the Great Lakes Commission is disappointed that despite the best efforts of our region’s Congressional leaders, no additional funding was provided. HR 6460 first passed the House of Representatives on September 18 at $150M. At the 11th hour, the Bush Administration weighed in with a letter to House and Senate leaders in opposition to the bill, because of the proposed funding increase. To gain approval in the Senate, the bill was amended and the funding kept level with legislation approved in 2002."
House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chair, Representative James Oberstar (D-MN) explained further in a Floor statement saying, "Regrettably, when this measure got over to the Senate, as so often happens in the other body, one person can shut down the Senate and can shut down the country. In this case one objection held up Senate action on the bill until funding for the program was cut. I'm just so disappointed and so anguished over the failure of the Senate to provide the funding. They didn't change anything else in the bill, just implementing it, just funding it. That is cutting out the heart. . . We will come back next year. There will be a different spirit in the White House, a different spirit in the Congress. We will fix that."
Access a release from the GLC (click here). Access legislative details for H.R 6460 including links to Floor statements (click here).
According to a release from Michigan Lt. Governor and Great Lakes Commission (GLC) Chairman John Cherry, "While this is a positive step forward, the Great Lakes Commission is disappointed that despite the best efforts of our region’s Congressional leaders, no additional funding was provided. HR 6460 first passed the House of Representatives on September 18 at $150M. At the 11th hour, the Bush Administration weighed in with a letter to House and Senate leaders in opposition to the bill, because of the proposed funding increase. To gain approval in the Senate, the bill was amended and the funding kept level with legislation approved in 2002."
House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chair, Representative James Oberstar (D-MN) explained further in a Floor statement saying, "Regrettably, when this measure got over to the Senate, as so often happens in the other body, one person can shut down the Senate and can shut down the country. In this case one objection held up Senate action on the bill until funding for the program was cut. I'm just so disappointed and so anguished over the failure of the Senate to provide the funding. They didn't change anything else in the bill, just implementing it, just funding it. That is cutting out the heart. . . We will come back next year. There will be a different spirit in the White House, a different spirit in the Congress. We will fix that."
Access a release from the GLC (click here). Access legislative details for H.R 6460 including links to Floor statements (click here).
Friday, September 26, 2008
Council Of Canadians Calls For Compact Correction
Sep 24: Canada's largest citizens’ organization, the Council of Canadians, issued a release, "demanding that the Canadian government intervene to secure an amendment to the Great Lakes Compact which has now received approval of both the U.S. House and Senate [See WIMS 9/23/08]. The organization is calling for an elimination of the loophole that would grant bottled water corporations unlimited access to Great Lakes water in 20 litre [actually 5.7 gallons] containers. Maude Barlow, national chairperson of the Council of Canadians said, “Although we welcome the Compact’s ban on diversions through pipelines and other means, the bottled water exception is a gaping hole that would undermine the agreement’s ability to truly protect the Great Lakes. In remaining silent on this issue, the Harper government has abdicated its responsibility to protect the Great Lakes and the Canadian public interest.”
The Council said while the Compact sets out to prevent diversions from the Great Lakes, the definition of diversions does not apply to water as a “product” and they are concerned about the trade implications of this definition. Meera Karunananthan, national water campaigner for the Council of Canadians said, “Once their access to Great Lakes water is entrenched in the Compact, it will be difficult to regulate corporations taking water out of the Great Lakes in containers because they will be further protected in international trade agreements such as the North American Free Trade Agreement.”
Access a release from the Council (click here).
The Council said while the Compact sets out to prevent diversions from the Great Lakes, the definition of diversions does not apply to water as a “product” and they are concerned about the trade implications of this definition. Meera Karunananthan, national water campaigner for the Council of Canadians said, “Once their access to Great Lakes water is entrenched in the Compact, it will be difficult to regulate corporations taking water out of the Great Lakes in containers because they will be further protected in international trade agreements such as the North American Free Trade Agreement.”
Access a release from the Council (click here).
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
House Approves Great Lakes Compact
Sep 23: On a "Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass," requiring a 2/3 majority, the U.S. House approved the Great Lakes Compact (S.J. Res. 45), by a vote of 390 - 25. Environmental and conservation groups praised the approval and commended U.S. Representatives John Conyers (D-MI), Vern Ehlers (R-MI), Rahm Emanuel (D-IL), Steve LaTourette (R-OH) and Jim Oberstar (D-MN); and Senators Russ Feingold (D-WI), Herb Kohl (D-WI), Carl Levin (D-MI), Arlen Specter (R-PA) and George Voinovich (R-OH), where the measure was approved by voice vote in August [See WIMS 8/4/08]. The President has indicated he will sign the approval.
Despite the overwhelming approval, it did not come without controversy and concern. Two Great Lakes Representatives -- Bart Stupak (D-MI) and Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) both raised concerns regarding loopholes in the Compact [See WIMS 9/8/08]. Of major concern were the exemption of water in a container smaller than 5.7 gallons ("the bottled water loophole"); creating a Federal definition of Great Lakes water as a "product" subject it to international trade law obligations (e.g. NAFTA, GATT, etc.) and related "public trust doctrine" issues.
On Monday, September 22, Representative Stupak urged all 435 members not to approved the Compact until some answers were received from his previous inquiries in July to the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Trade Representative and the IJC (See link below). Kucinich had argued that Congress could close the loopholes without sending the Compact back to the State to be ratified again by passing his bill H.R. 6814 and adding specific language in the Committee Report for the Compact which strengthens the public trust doctrine provisions in the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 in ways that Compact Report language could not.
Various groups indicating their support included: Great Lakes United; National Wildlife Federation; Alliance for the Great Lakes; Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition; Council of Great Lakes Governors; Michigan Environmental Council; Michigan League of Conservation Voters; Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council; and Sierra Club.
Access the roll call vote (click here). Access legislative details for S.J.Res.45 (click here). Access a release from Representative Stupak (click here). Access the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 110-863 (click here). Access legislative details for H.R. 6577 (click here).
Despite the overwhelming approval, it did not come without controversy and concern. Two Great Lakes Representatives -- Bart Stupak (D-MI) and Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) both raised concerns regarding loopholes in the Compact [See WIMS 9/8/08]. Of major concern were the exemption of water in a container smaller than 5.7 gallons ("the bottled water loophole"); creating a Federal definition of Great Lakes water as a "product" subject it to international trade law obligations (e.g. NAFTA, GATT, etc.) and related "public trust doctrine" issues.
On Monday, September 22, Representative Stupak urged all 435 members not to approved the Compact until some answers were received from his previous inquiries in July to the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Trade Representative and the IJC (See link below). Kucinich had argued that Congress could close the loopholes without sending the Compact back to the State to be ratified again by passing his bill H.R. 6814 and adding specific language in the Committee Report for the Compact which strengthens the public trust doctrine provisions in the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 in ways that Compact Report language could not.
Various groups indicating their support included: Great Lakes United; National Wildlife Federation; Alliance for the Great Lakes; Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition; Council of Great Lakes Governors; Michigan Environmental Council; Michigan League of Conservation Voters; Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council; and Sierra Club.
Access the roll call vote (click here). Access legislative details for S.J.Res.45 (click here). Access a release from Representative Stupak (click here). Access the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 110-863 (click here). Access legislative details for H.R. 6577 (click here).
Canadian Mayors Call For Great Lakes Commitments
Sep 22: According to a release from the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, mayors representing over 7 million Canadians in Ontario and Quebec issued a letter calling on the five Federal political leaders in the Canadian election to publicly declare their proposals for protecting the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River. Thunder Bay Mayor Lynn Peterson, chair of Cities Initiative said, "Canadian municipalities are spending over $4 billion a year on Great Lakes and St. Lawrence protection. Given the national and international importance of this massive fresh water resource, it is time we have a substantial commitment from our federal government."
Canadian members of the Cities Initiative issued the letter a day after presidential candidates in the United States raised the importance of Great Lakes protection in their federal election campaign. Toronto Mayor David Miller said, "We are encouraged that, through the activities of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative and other organizations, both U.S. presidential candidates are acknowledging the critical importance of protecting this vital resource. Senator Barack Obama has come forward with his proposal and Senator John McCain has made known his concern for the future of the Great Lakes. It is time our federal party leaders stepped up and made their voices heard."
Access a release from the Cities Initiative (click here). Access the Cities Initiative website (click here).
Canadian members of the Cities Initiative issued the letter a day after presidential candidates in the United States raised the importance of Great Lakes protection in their federal election campaign. Toronto Mayor David Miller said, "We are encouraged that, through the activities of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative and other organizations, both U.S. presidential candidates are acknowledging the critical importance of protecting this vital resource. Senator Barack Obama has come forward with his proposal and Senator John McCain has made known his concern for the future of the Great Lakes. It is time our federal party leaders stepped up and made their voices heard."
Access a release from the Cities Initiative (click here). Access the Cities Initiative website (click here).
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