Dec 1: A task force of Federal, regional state and local agencies has developed a Rapid Response Plan to address this impending threat to the Great Lakes. According to information posted on the Plan website, the increasing threat of the Asian carp expansion toward the Great Lakes and these fish placing greater pressure on barriers already in place to restrict their movement, prompted the creation of the Asian Carp Rapid Response Workgroup. The purpose of the Workgroup was to assess the current situation and recommend courses of action should a rapid response be necessary to deal with Asian carp in areas of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, Des Plaines River, and the Illinois and Michigan Canal. In preparation for such a response, the Asian Carp Rapid Response Plan was created. At the request of partner agencies, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has agreed to coordinate response actions and to serve as lead agency during response Operations.
The purpose of this plan is to establish, coordinate, and document actions by IDNR and its partner agencies to reduce the vulnerability of the Great Lakes to an Asian carp invasion via the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal (CSSC) and nearby bodies of water including the Des Plaines River and the Illinois & Michigan Canal (I&M). In the short term the purpose of rapid response measures, i.e. piscicide treatment, will accompany barrier maintenance; relieve pressure on Electric Barrier I (within the Lockport Pool); confirm presence of Asian carp previously detected through eDNA sampling and analysis; evaluate the feasibility and utility of applying piscicide in the CSSC to reduce or eliminate Asian carp populations; and validate the effectiveness of utilizing NIMS ICS concepts and principles of response for this type of effort via a multijurisdictional approach. In the long term permanent tools, such as piscicide treatment, would need to be implemented to mitigate the risk of Asian carp accessing Lake Michigan and the other Great Lakes.
Access a release from IDNR (click here). Access the Asian Carp Management website for extensive information (click here).
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Council of Great Lakes Governors Newsletter
Dec 1: The Council of Great Lakes Governors announced that the December 2009 edition of its newsletter, The Compass, is now available. Highlights in this issue include: A Message from Council Chair Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle; Asian Carp Breach Barrier; Congress Fully Funds Great Lakes Restoration Initiative; Council Staff Testify before Federal Leaders; Joint Trade Mission announced for Brazil, Chile and Peru; and Great Lakes of North America holds annual German/Swiss Sales Mission.
Access links to the latest issue and past issues (click here).
Access links to the latest issue and past issues (click here).
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Compact Bodies Post Agendas & Meeting Materials
Dec 1: The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Water Resources Regional Body (Regional Body) which previously announced its upcoming conference call meeting for December 8, 2009, at 2:00 PM EST [See WIMS 11/6/09] has now posted an agenda and materials to be discussed. Included in the information is: Draft December 8, 2009 Regional Body Meeting Agenda; Draft Resolution #13--Adoption of Water Use Reporting Protocols; Draft Resolution #14--Adoption of Fiscal Year 2010 Budget--Third and Fourth Quarters (January 1-June 30, 2010); Draft Chair's Proposed Invitation List to Regional Body's Advisory Committee, Resource Group and Observers; Draft Water Management Program Review Document; Draft Water Conservation and Efficiency Program Review Document; and Draft September 22, 2009 Regional Body Meeting Summary. Additionally, the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Council (Compact Council) is meeting via conference call following the Regional Body meeting has posted similar documents for discussion.
Access the agenda and materials for the Regional Body meeting (click here). Access the agenda and materials for the Compact Council meeting (click here).
Access the agenda and materials for the Regional Body meeting (click here). Access the agenda and materials for the Compact Council meeting (click here).
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
EPA Responds To Groups' BP Whiting CAA Petition
Nov 25: U.S. EPA issued a Federal Register announcement [74 FR 61678-61679] announcing that the Administrator has responded to a petition submitted by the Environmental Law and Policy Center, Hoosier Environmental Council, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Save the Dunes, Sierra Club, Susan Eleuterio, and Tom Tsourlis (petitioners) asking EPA to object to an operating permit issued by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management to the BP Products North America, Inc., Whiting Business Unit (Whiting) [See WIMS 10/20/09]. According to the announcement, the Administrator granted the petition in part and denied it in part. Pursuant to section 505(b)(2) of the Act, a petitioner may seek in the United States Court of Appeals for the appropriate circuit judicial review of those portions of a petition which EPA denied. Any petition for review shall be filed within 60 days from the date the Federal Register notice, pursuant to section 307 of the Act.
Specifically, the Petitioners allege that: (1) The permit application lacks emission information and calculations critical for determining applicable requirements and setting appropriate limits and conditions; (2) the minor source permit fails to comply with New Source Review requirements because the project is a major modification when all project emissions are properly included; (3) the permit does not include applicable Best Available Control Technology and Lowest Achievable Emission Rate limits for flares and other sources; (4) BP and IDEM failed to conduct the proper greenhouse gas Best Achievable Control Technology analysis; and (5) the permit omits compliance schedules that Title V requires to ensure compliance with all applicable requirements, as supported by the Notice of Violation issued by EPA to BP for its Whiting refinery.
In part, the Administrator rules, "I find that the Petitioners have not demonstrated that the title V operating permit does not comply with the Act. Petitioners have failed to demonstrate that the BP Whiting facility is out of compliance with the requirements addressed in the NOV [Notice of Violation], and that the permit must include a compliance plan and schedule with regard to such requirements. I therefore deny the petition with respect to this issue."
Access the FR announcement (click here). Access the 8/19/08 petition (click here). Access the Administrator's response (click here).
Specifically, the Petitioners allege that: (1) The permit application lacks emission information and calculations critical for determining applicable requirements and setting appropriate limits and conditions; (2) the minor source permit fails to comply with New Source Review requirements because the project is a major modification when all project emissions are properly included; (3) the permit does not include applicable Best Available Control Technology and Lowest Achievable Emission Rate limits for flares and other sources; (4) BP and IDEM failed to conduct the proper greenhouse gas Best Achievable Control Technology analysis; and (5) the permit omits compliance schedules that Title V requires to ensure compliance with all applicable requirements, as supported by the Notice of Violation issued by EPA to BP for its Whiting refinery.
In part, the Administrator rules, "I find that the Petitioners have not demonstrated that the title V operating permit does not comply with the Act. Petitioners have failed to demonstrate that the BP Whiting facility is out of compliance with the requirements addressed in the NOV [Notice of Violation], and that the permit must include a compliance plan and schedule with regard to such requirements. I therefore deny the petition with respect to this issue."
Access the FR announcement (click here). Access the 8/19/08 petition (click here). Access the Administrator's response (click here).
Monday, November 23, 2009
GLU Website To Track Asian Carp Control Efforts
Nov 23: Following last Friday's U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announcement that DNA testing indicated the presence of Asian carp 6 miles south of Lake Michigan, 20 miles past the preventative electric barrier [See WIMS 11/20/09], Great Lakes United (GLU) launched a special website to track this emergency situation. Detailed Google maps indicate the suspected progress and key land and water control features. Also included are FAQs and links to additional resources.
Additionally, GLU and other groups are demanding that the Corps of Engineers and the State of Illinois close the three locks that stand in the way of the carp's progression: the O'Brien, Chicago River, and Wilmette. GLU joined other groups including National Wildlife Federation, Healing Our Waters and Alliance for the Great Lakes. Jennifer Nalbone, campaign director of Invasive Species and Navigation for GLU said, "If we don't close the locks, we are waving the white flag and allowing one of the greatest ecological tragedies to occur. If the Asian carp make it to Lake Michigan, the damage to fisheries in the Lakes and tributaries will be profound and irreversible."
The website indicates, "If the fish were to reach the Great Lakes, it would be an ecological disaster. The carp consume enormous amount of food that other fish rely on, muscling out native species. The fish can grow to up to 3 feet long and weigh up to 100 pounds, quickly dominating a waterbody due to their size. The fish also pose a risk to people: the silver carp are easily startled and often jump out of the water when startled, making them a hazard to boaters, anglers and water-skiers. If the carp make their way into the Great Lakes, they could devastate the region's $4.5 billion fishing industry and permanently alter how recreational boaters, anglers and tourists use and enjoy the lakes and their many tributaries.
Access the GLU website (click here).
Additionally, GLU and other groups are demanding that the Corps of Engineers and the State of Illinois close the three locks that stand in the way of the carp's progression: the O'Brien, Chicago River, and Wilmette. GLU joined other groups including National Wildlife Federation, Healing Our Waters and Alliance for the Great Lakes. Jennifer Nalbone, campaign director of Invasive Species and Navigation for GLU said, "If we don't close the locks, we are waving the white flag and allowing one of the greatest ecological tragedies to occur. If the Asian carp make it to Lake Michigan, the damage to fisheries in the Lakes and tributaries will be profound and irreversible."
The website indicates, "If the fish were to reach the Great Lakes, it would be an ecological disaster. The carp consume enormous amount of food that other fish rely on, muscling out native species. The fish can grow to up to 3 feet long and weigh up to 100 pounds, quickly dominating a waterbody due to their size. The fish also pose a risk to people: the silver carp are easily startled and often jump out of the water when startled, making them a hazard to boaters, anglers and water-skiers. If the carp make their way into the Great Lakes, they could devastate the region's $4.5 billion fishing industry and permanently alter how recreational boaters, anglers and tourists use and enjoy the lakes and their many tributaries.
Access the GLU website (click here).
Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Request For Proposals
Nov 23: U.S. EPA has announced the issuance of a Request For Proposals (RFP) [79 pages, Announcement No: EPA-R5-GL2010-1] which solicits proposals from eligible entities for grants and cooperative agreements to be awarded pursuant to a portion of the $475 million Great Lakes Restoration Initiative included in Public Law 111-88, the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 which is in furtherance of President Obama’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (the Initiative) announced in February 2009. Proposals must be received by EPA by noon Central standard time on January 29, 2010.
The President and EPA, in conjunction with 15 other Federal agencies, have made restoring the Great Lakes a national priority. The Initiative builds on the prior efforts of agency, business, public interest, and other leaders which resulted in the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Strategy (GLRC Strategy) and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Action Plan now being developed.
The RFP represents EPA’s major competitive grant funding opportunity under the Initiative and is one of several funding opportunities described in the Initiative’s Interagency Funding Guide. A portion of the funding will be through the U.S. Fish and wildlife Service. The RFP, in conjunction with other funding opportunities under the Initiative, will be used to competitively provide funding to address the most significant Great Lakes ecosystem problems and efforts in five major focus areas: Toxic Substances and Areas of Concern; Invasive Species; Nearshore Health and Nonpoint Source Pollution; Habitat and Wildlife Protection and Restoration; and Accountability, Education, Monitoring, Evaluation, Communication and Partnerships.
Access links to the complete RFP, and information on webinars and email lists to stay informed of opportunities (click here).
The President and EPA, in conjunction with 15 other Federal agencies, have made restoring the Great Lakes a national priority. The Initiative builds on the prior efforts of agency, business, public interest, and other leaders which resulted in the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Strategy (GLRC Strategy) and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Action Plan now being developed.
The RFP represents EPA’s major competitive grant funding opportunity under the Initiative and is one of several funding opportunities described in the Initiative’s Interagency Funding Guide. A portion of the funding will be through the U.S. Fish and wildlife Service. The RFP, in conjunction with other funding opportunities under the Initiative, will be used to competitively provide funding to address the most significant Great Lakes ecosystem problems and efforts in five major focus areas: Toxic Substances and Areas of Concern; Invasive Species; Nearshore Health and Nonpoint Source Pollution; Habitat and Wildlife Protection and Restoration; and Accountability, Education, Monitoring, Evaluation, Communication and Partnerships.
Access links to the complete RFP, and information on webinars and email lists to stay informed of opportunities (click here).
Friday, November 20, 2009
IJC On Asian Carp: "A Battle That We Cannot Afford To Lose"
Nov 19: In letters sent to the Governor of Illinois, the U.S Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. EPA and the Council on Environmental Quality, the International Joint Commission (IJC) expressed its concerns that Asian carp could invade the Great Lakes by way of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. The IJC said it is concerned that the electric barrier could be breached by a single power outage, or that a heavy rain storm could cause flooding that would allow the carp to migrate into the canal from the Des Plaines River.
The IJC indicated it supports the Barrier Advisory Panel's recommendation to construct a physical separation between the Des Plaines River and the Chicago Sanitary Ship Canal. The IJC also supports action to close off the canal and Deep Run Creek in a manner that would permit storm water discharge while precluding the passage of Asian Carp. Further, a rapid response effort must be undertaken as soon as possible to push back the Asian carp and allow the Army Corps of Engineers to conduct scheduled maintenance of the electric barrier and complete the construction of a second electric barrier [See WIMS 11/16/09].
Herb Gray, Canadian Section chair of the IJC said, "We must stop Asian carp and other species before they use the Chicago Sanitary Canal to invade the entire Great Lakes system that is shared by Canada and the United States." Irene Brooks, U.S. Section chair of the IJC said, "Invasive species such as Asian carp are the foremost threat to the biological integrity of the Great Lakes basin ecosystem. The impact of invasive species already in the system, from the sea lamprey to the zebra mussel, serve as harbingers of the economic and environmental costs to come if this crucial threat is not controlled."
The letters state, ". . .we urge you to take immediate action to cut through any and all administrative and bureaucratic obstacles that exist. . . so that. . .agencies involved can execute the plans without delay. Response personnel must be given every opportunity possible to eliminate the risk of this invasion by Asian carp and avoid almost certain disastrous economic and environmental consequences to the Great Lakes, a unique resource shared between the United States and Canada. This is a battle that we cannot afford to lose."
Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported on November 19, that the "decade-old battle to keep Asian carp out of the Great Lakes might be over." Citing new Asian Carp DNA research that shows the fish likely have made it past the $9 million electric fish barrier on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. Information released by the Chicago District of the Army Corps of Engineers on November 20, indicates areas above the electric barrier on the Calumet Sag Channel as far as the Obrien Lock where Asian Carp DNA was recently detected. The sampling was done on October 10, 2009.
On November 20, reacting to the new testing showing the presence of Asian carp DNA past the electric barrier and adjacent to the O’Brien Lock just 6 miles south of Lake Michigan in the Calumet River, the Alliance for the Great Lakes joined other conservation groups including National Wildlife Federation, Great Lakes United, and the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition in calling for an immediate closure of all Chicago waterways and locks leading to Lake Michigan "in a last-ditch attempt to keep the destructive Asian carp from invading the Great Lakes."
The groups demanded that "the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and state of Illinois close the O'Brien, Chicago River and Wilmette locks until monitoring results show the waterways are completely clear of bighead and silver carp and that an electric barrier built to keep them out of Lake Michigan and the other Great Lakes has not been breached."
Access a release from IJC (click here). Access the letters (click here). Access the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article (click here). Access the Army Corps information (click here). Access the Army Corps website for more information on the Asian Carp migration (click here). Access a release from the Alliance with links to additional information (click here). Access a report from the Detroit Free Press (click here).
The IJC indicated it supports the Barrier Advisory Panel's recommendation to construct a physical separation between the Des Plaines River and the Chicago Sanitary Ship Canal. The IJC also supports action to close off the canal and Deep Run Creek in a manner that would permit storm water discharge while precluding the passage of Asian Carp. Further, a rapid response effort must be undertaken as soon as possible to push back the Asian carp and allow the Army Corps of Engineers to conduct scheduled maintenance of the electric barrier and complete the construction of a second electric barrier [See WIMS 11/16/09].
Herb Gray, Canadian Section chair of the IJC said, "We must stop Asian carp and other species before they use the Chicago Sanitary Canal to invade the entire Great Lakes system that is shared by Canada and the United States." Irene Brooks, U.S. Section chair of the IJC said, "Invasive species such as Asian carp are the foremost threat to the biological integrity of the Great Lakes basin ecosystem. The impact of invasive species already in the system, from the sea lamprey to the zebra mussel, serve as harbingers of the economic and environmental costs to come if this crucial threat is not controlled."
The letters state, ". . .we urge you to take immediate action to cut through any and all administrative and bureaucratic obstacles that exist. . . so that. . .agencies involved can execute the plans without delay. Response personnel must be given every opportunity possible to eliminate the risk of this invasion by Asian carp and avoid almost certain disastrous economic and environmental consequences to the Great Lakes, a unique resource shared between the United States and Canada. This is a battle that we cannot afford to lose."
Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported on November 19, that the "decade-old battle to keep Asian carp out of the Great Lakes might be over." Citing new Asian Carp DNA research that shows the fish likely have made it past the $9 million electric fish barrier on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. Information released by the Chicago District of the Army Corps of Engineers on November 20, indicates areas above the electric barrier on the Calumet Sag Channel as far as the Obrien Lock where Asian Carp DNA was recently detected. The sampling was done on October 10, 2009.
On November 20, reacting to the new testing showing the presence of Asian carp DNA past the electric barrier and adjacent to the O’Brien Lock just 6 miles south of Lake Michigan in the Calumet River, the Alliance for the Great Lakes joined other conservation groups including National Wildlife Federation, Great Lakes United, and the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition in calling for an immediate closure of all Chicago waterways and locks leading to Lake Michigan "in a last-ditch attempt to keep the destructive Asian carp from invading the Great Lakes."
The groups demanded that "the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and state of Illinois close the O'Brien, Chicago River and Wilmette locks until monitoring results show the waterways are completely clear of bighead and silver carp and that an electric barrier built to keep them out of Lake Michigan and the other Great Lakes has not been breached."
Access a release from IJC (click here). Access the letters (click here). Access the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article (click here). Access the Army Corps information (click here). Access the Army Corps website for more information on the Asian Carp migration (click here). Access a release from the Alliance with links to additional information (click here). Access a report from the Detroit Free Press (click here).
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