Cities Initiative Objects To Canadian Radioactive Shipments

Sep 13: The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative (Cities Initiative) announced its opposition to the proposed shipment by Bruce Power of radioactive waste on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence. They point out that the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence form the largest body of fresh water in the world. Over 40 million Canadians and Americans rely on them for their safe drinking water. The Cities Initiative is opposing the proposed maritime shipment of sixteen, 100 tonne steel radioactive steam generators, from Owen Sound, through Georgian Bay, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence and out into the Atlantic to Sweden.

 

    The opposition to the proposed shipment is based on three principle reasons. Firstly, there is concern over the potential environmental impacts to the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence in the event of an accident during shipment. Secondly, the Cities Initiative has concerns about the review process, including information gaps about the proposed shipment. Thirdly, the potentially precedent setting nature of the shipment, with the amount of radioactive waste exceeding the international allowable limit for a single shipment in inland waters by 50 times, is cause for concern. The Cities Initiative's position on the proposed radioactive waste shipment has been submitted to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) for its consideration The Cities Initiative has requested standing at the CNSC hearing on the proposed shipment on September 29 in Ottawa.

 

    Access a release from the Cities Initiative (click here). Access background information and links to the CNSC letter and CNSC submission (click here).

MI Governor & MDNRE Meet With New Asian Carp Director

Sep 15: Michigan's Governor Granholm and MDNRE Director Rebecca Humphries met at the White House with governors and representatives from other Great Lakes states to urge Federal officials to adopt a stronger response to the threat posed by Asian carp to the Great Lakes. The Governor said, "I am grateful that the Obama administration has identified John Goss as the new Asian Carp Director and I implore him to bring to this position the sense of urgency required to strengthen and expedite the federal response necessary to keep Asian carp out of the Great Lakes. We should not leave any options on the table in protecting the Great Lakes ecosystem and the $7 billion recreational fishing and $16 billion recreational boating industries that this invasive species threatens."
 
    Granholm said the threat of invading carp must be considered an emergency that merits action by the Army Corps of Engineers to quickly implement a separation between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River watershed. The Governor believes the current timeline to study separation as one potential option to addressing carp does not reflect the seriousness of the situation. Humphries said, "We continue to urge swift action by the Army Corps to expedite necessary studies to move to permanent separation of the Great Lakes and Mississippi River watershed. We appreciate the work completed thus far and look forward to collaborating with the Army Corps and other federal agencies on measures to achieve permanent separation."
 
    Access a release from the Governor (click here). Access a release from the White House with additional information (click here).

John Goss Appointed As Asian Carp Director

Sep 8: The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) announced the appointment of John Goss as the Asian Carp Director. Goss joins CEQ from the Indiana Wildlife Federation, the Indiana State affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation, where he served for four years as the Executive Director. In his role, John will serve as the principal advisor to CEQ Chair Nancy Sutley on Asian carp issues, and oversee the coordination of Federal, state, and local efforts to keep Asian carp from establishing in the Great Lakes ecosystems. In his role at the Wildlife Federation, he worked with conservation, business and industry groups to support the Great Lakes Compact. Goss previously served as Director of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and as Vice Chair of the Great Lakes Commission. 

    Nancy Sutley, CEQ Chair said, "With a strong background focused on natural resources, John will be an excellent addition to our team as we continue to combat the spread of Asian carp. He will help to ensure coordination among government agencies and the most effective response across all levels of government to this threat." Goss will chair the Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee (RCC), which is a team of Federal, state and local agencies working together to prevent Asian carp from establishing populations in the Great Lakes.  The Asian Carp Control Strategy Framework, released in February, 2010 and updated in May, 2010, unifies Federal, state and local action in an unparalleled effort to combat invasive species. 

    Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm issued a statement saying, "We have to do everything possible to keep Asian carp out of the Great Lakes.  As the new Asian Carp Director, John Goss clearly understands this mandate, and he will ensure that all federal agencies understand it as well. John Goss shares our passion for protecting the Great Lakes, and his skills and experience make him a great choice for this vital mission." In his role, Goss will serve as the principal advisor to Council of Environmental Quality Chair Nancy Sutley on Asian carp issues and oversee the coordination of federal, state, and local efforts to keep Asian carp from establishing in the Great Lakes ecosystems.

 

    U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) applauded the announcement and said, "I commend the President for hearing my concerns and making the ecological and economic viability of Lake Michigan a national priority by appointing John Goss, an exceptionally qualified candidate and a longtime friend of the Great Lakes. We have to redouble our efforts and do everything in our power to stop this invasive species from entering Lake Michigan. I am confident that with this step, we have made real progress towards a well-coordinated approach that takes this invasive species very seriously."

 

    Access a release for CEQ (click here). Access a release from the Governor Granholm (click here). Access a release from Senator Durbin (click here).

Merit Hearings On Asian Carp Lawsuit Begin In Chicago

Sep 7: Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox said he was pleased that the Great Lakes will finally get their day in court, with testimony being heard for the first time in Michigan's long fight to stop the migration of Asian carp into Lake Michigan and the other Great Lakes. On August 23, Judge Robert M. Dow, Jr. of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, in Chicago, heard arguments regarding Michigan's motion for Preliminary Injunction. The Judge scheduled the first evidentiary hearings on the merits of Michigan's lawsuit for September 7 and 8; and an additional date of September 10. Attorneys general from Wisconsin, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Ohio have joined Cox in his lawsuit, which was filed July 19, 2010.

    On September 7, well-known biologist Dr. David Lodge, of the University of Notre Dame lead off with testimony regarding the wide-spread presence of Asian carp eDNA at multiple locations near and in Lake Michigan. Written testimony supporting Michigan and four other states has been submitted from experts including biologist Dr. Tammy Newcomb, of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment (MDNRE), who argues the threat to the Great Lakes and its waterways is urgent and will cause great damage if not stopped at Chicago, and transportation policy expert Dr. John C. Taylor, of Wayne State University, who notes that barge traffic affected by lock closure accounts for less than one percent of all freight traffic in Chicago.

    On August 31, 2010 the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians filed a motion to join the attorneys general as an additional party to the lawsuit. According to the motion, the tribe is concerned with the negative impact Asian carp could have on Great Lakes fisheries,  citing tribal fishing rights in the Great Lakes and adjoining inland waterways.  

    Dr. Lodge is a national expert on invasive species with experience pioneering the use of eDNA technology to detect Asian carp in Chicago area waterways. He explained how scientific evidence illustrates the urgent threat of Asian carp invading Great Lakes waterways and the critical need to take action. He is an independent scientist who was not hired by the State of Michigan. Previously, he was employed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to assist their study of Asian carp. In February of 2010, Dr. Lodge testified before the U.S. House of Representatives.

    Michigan's request before the court calls for the temporary closure of the O'Brien and Chicago Locks and blocking other pathways in the Chicago water system, except as needed to protect public health and safety, the increased use of rotenone fish poison and the installation of nets and other physical barriers, among other actions.  The lawsuit makes clear that all of the requested action would be subject to exceptions to prevent flooding, allow access for emergency responders and any other action necessary to prevent serious threats to public health and safety.

 

    Access the latest release from the MI attorney general (click here). Access the August 23 release from the MI attorney general (click here).

IL Federal Court To Hear Asian Carp Case August 23

Aug 17: Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox announced that a Federal judge has scheduled the first hearing on the merits of Michigan's lawsuit addressing the threat of Asian carp, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Attorneys general from Wisconsin, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Ohio have joined Cox in the lawsuit, which was filed July 19, 2010 due to what Cox calls "the Army Corps' dismal record of inaction in confronting Asian carp."  Judge Robert Dow, Jr. confirmed that the first hearing in the case will be on Monday, August 23, 2010, with two days reserved for live testimony during the week of August 30, 2010, if the Court determines it is needed.

    Cox said, "The future of our water-based economy and environment is hanging in the balance. The Great Lakes will now get their day in court." At the hearing, Judge Dow will consider Michigan's motion for Preliminary Injunction, which calls for several short-term responses to the Asian carp threat. Michigan's motion calls for the temporary closure of the O'Brien and Chicago Locks and blocking other pathways in the Chicago water system, except as needed to protect public health and safety, among other actions.  

    Cox also noted a story published by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that seriously questions the idea that a three-foot long, 20-pound mature bighead Asian carp recently found in Lake Calumet, past all barriers, was "planted" there by humans [See WIMS 8/10/10]. The story, entitled "Carp explanation may be a fish story," says that "facts are coming to light that indicate Illinois officials may have stretched their own science to sell a whopper of a fish tale." 

    Cox said the Michigan lawsuit is supported by affidavits from two experts: Dr. Tammy Newcomb of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment (MDNRE) and Dr. John C. Taylor of Wayne State University. Both experts are prepared to testify, if called. The lawsuit calls for the Corps to use all available efforts to block Asian carp passage in the waterways linked to Lake Michigan. Earlier this year, Cox petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene to address the threat of Asian carp. Although the Supreme Court declined the take up the case but did not rule on the merits of the legal claims by Michigan and other Great Lakes states.

   

    Access a release from the AG (click here).

New, Updated Environment Canada Great Lakes Website

 

Aug 18: Environment Canada announced it has launched a new, updated Great Lakes website. The new site includes: Information about the state of the Great Lakes in the How are the Great Lakes Doing?; Information about Remedial Action Plans, Lakewide Management Plans, the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement and the Canada-Ontario Agreement in the Restoring and Protecting the Great Lakes; and Maps, publications and science information in the Facts and Information. The new site also features a Great Lakes area within the Environment Canada Publications Database. The searchable database allows users to instantly receive PDF copies of public-friendly documents and reports that Environment Canada has participated in, including the most recent Lakewide Management Plan 2010 Reports. 

 

   Access the updated website (click here).

WI Reports No Inland Spread Of VHS Fish Virus

Aug 10: The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) reports that the potentially deadly viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHS or VHSV) fish virus did not spread to any inland Wisconsin waters that were tested for the virus in 2010. None of the fish that WDNR fisheries biologist collected from nearly 70 lakes and rivers this spring tested positive for VHS. Mike Staggs, Wisconsin's fisheries director said, "We're pleased that VHS hasn't spread inland and we appreciate the efforts that anglers and boaters have made to keep Wisconsin's fish healthy. These results show that taking the prevention steps can contain the disease as well as help prevent the spread of other aquatic invasive species."

    Earlier this year, Cornell University researchers reported finding VHS in Lake Superior fish collected in summer 2009 [See WIMS 2/3/10], but no fish kills were evident in that lake in 2009 or 2010 because of VHS, and none of Wisconsin's 2010 testing suggested the virus had spread from that massive lake to inland lakes or streams. Staggs said, "The good news is we assumed VHS was in Lake Superior when we developed the prevention rules in 2007, and as result, inland lakes and rivers were protected."

    VHS can infect several dozen fish species in Wisconsin and can cause them to bleed to death; a recent Michigan State University study shows that muskellunge are most susceptible, followed by largemouth bass, yellow perch, rainbow trout, brook trout, brown trout, Chinook salmon, and Coho salmon. The virus was first detected in Wisconsin in May 2007, when dead fish collected from the Lake Winnebago and Lake Michigan systems were tested and were positive for the virus. Lake Michigan fish again tested positive for the virus in 2008 and 2009.

    Access a release from WDNR with links to more information (click here).