Army Corps Report On Asian Carp Electric Barrier System

Mar 25: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released a research report on the operation of the electric dispersal barrier system in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal (CSSC). The electric barrier system is a key measure preventing the migration of two species of Asian carp, Silver and Bighead into the Great Lakes ecosystem. The Corps commissioned the report as part of its ongoing research to refine the optimum operating parameters for the barriers.

    All information available to the Corps indicates that the barrier system is working as designed. The Corps has undertaken numerous studies to determine and refine the optimal operating parameters of the electric barriers to ensure it is effective at containing Asian carp. The research report released today was conducted through a collaborative effort between the Corps' Engineer Research & Development Center (ERDC) and the Corps' barrier contractor, Smith-Root, Inc. According to a release, the Operational Protocols Report discusses the results of five laboratory research efforts related to the impact of the fish barrier and various other conditions likely to be encountered in the CSSC, which could affect the behavior of small Asian carp, applying conservative hypothetical "worst case" scenarios. Specifically, the research included experiments on electrical parameters, water conductivity, volitional challenge of electric fields, and water velocity. These studies were conducted in a controlled environment in ERDC's laboratories.

    Research summarized in the Operational Protocols Report indicates the current barrier operating parameters are effective for fish as small as 5.4 inches in length. The research published in the report suggests that slightly higher operating parameters than those currently in use may be necessary to immobilize all very small Asian carp, as small as 1.7 to 3.2 inches in length. The research also indicates that very small Asian carp may repeatedly challenge the electrical barriers at the current operating parameters, high levels of water conductivity could affect the operating parameters, and the swimming ability of small Asian carp is impeded by a combination of the electrical field and water velocity. Because the research was conducted under the physical constraints and limitations of a laboratory setting, further field research near the fish barrier system is needed in order to validate the results. Some of that research is already underway.

    Access a lengthy release with further details and link to (click here). Access a 1-page fact sheet (click here). Access the complete 132-page report  (click here). Access the Corps Chicago District website for more information (click here). Access more information from the Asian carp website (click here). Access the GLMRIS website for information and to submit comments (click here).

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Request For Applications

Mar 25: U.S. EPA is soliciting applications for grants and cooperative agreements to be awarded as part of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI). Up to $40 million may be awarded under this Request for Applications for about 150 projects, contingent on the availability of appropriations, the quality of applications received, and other applicable considerations.

 

    The RFA is EPA's major competitive grant funding opportunity under GLRI for FY2011 and is one of several funding opportunities available through Federal agencies under the GLRI. The RFA requests applications for projects in the categories listed below: Toxic Substances and Areas of Concern; Invasive Species; Nearshore Health and Nonpoint Source Pollution; and Accountability, Education, Monitoring, Evaluation, Communication, and Partnerships.

 

    Access an announcement for complete details, webinars and questions (click here). Access the new GLRI website (click here).

Latest Council of Great Lakes Governors Newsletter

Mar 15: The Council of Great Lakes Governors (CGLG) announced that the March 2011 edition of its newsletter, THE COMPASS, is now available. Highlights in this issue include: A Message from Council Co-Chair Illinois Governor Pat Quinn; Council Welcomes New Leadership; Great Lakes Companies Seek Sales During CGLG's South Africa Trade Mission; Administration Names Naftzger to Ocean Panel; President Signs Asian Carp Bill; Quinn to Lead Compact Council; Charest Takes Reins of Regional Body.

 

    Access the latest newsletter and link to past issues (click here). Access the CGLG website for additional information (click here).

Request For Great Lakes Presentations & Workshops

Mar 15: The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition (HOW) has issued a "Request for Presentations" from interested applicants who would like to lead a workshop discussion at HOW's 7th Annual Great Lakes Restoration Conference being held in Detroit, MI October 12-14, 2011. The deadline for applications is May 1, 2011. Applications are being sought in five issue areas: National Great Lakes Policy Issues – Beyond the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative; Economics of Restoration Funding – Making the Healthy Lakes, Healthy Economy Connection; Restoration Success – Chronicling Restoration Projects that Deliver Results; Grassroots Action that Makes a Difference; and Science and the State of the Great Lakes.

 

    Also, any person or organization with an interest in Great Lakes restoration is invited to submit an application to conduct a workshop at the conference. Workshop applications must adhere to the instructions outlined in the application form. The event is expected to attract close to 700 activists, government representatives, industry leaders, tribal members, environmental consultants, sportsmen, and academic institutions.

 

    Access a release from HOW (click here). Access details on submitting a presentation (click here). Access details on requesting a workshop (click here).

New Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Website

Mar 14: The Great Lakes National Program Office (GLNPO) of U.S. EPA announced what they said is a new and improved Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) website. According to the notice, the website will always be updated because GLRI efforts will constantly be unfolding. Specifically, the Great Lakes Accountability System (GLAS), a search engine for GLRI-supported projects, will be continually updated to reflect new projects or revised status reports. The project reports-updates are accessible from the "Projects" tab on the website and an interactive map.

    Access the new GLRI website (click here).

President Nominates Two New Members To IJC

Mar 9: President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate two new members to the International Joint Commission (IJC). The nominees are Dereth Glance and Rich Moy. Ms. Glance is currently the Executive Program Director for Citizens Campaign for the Environment, a non-profit citizens environmental and public health advocacy organization in New York and Connecticut. Rich Moy is a Senior Fellow at the Center of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy at the University of Montana and a land and water consultant.

 

    The announcements came on the same day that the IJC released its 15th Biennial Report providing 32 recommendations for action at the Federal, state, provincial and local levels of government. In particular, the recommendations in the report focus on the need for the U.S. and Canada to approve a revised Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement that addresses threats to water quality to prevent or reduce their impact on human and ecological health [See WIMS 3/9/11].

 

    Access a release from the White House with further details on the nominees (click here). Access the IJC website for additional information (click here).

IJC Releases 15th Biennial Report

Mar 9: The International Joint Commission (IJC) of Canada and United States provided 32 recommendations for action at the federal, state, provincial and local levels of government. In particular, the recommendations in the 15th Biennial Report focus on the need for the U.S. and Canada to approve a revised Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (the Agreement) that addresses threats to water quality to prevent or reduce their impact on human and ecological health. Beach closings, harmful algal growth, contaminated groundwater and alien invasive species are examples of threats that are of greatest concern in the nearshore zone where most people live and get their drinking water and which provide vital habitat for fish and wildlife populations. The next biennial cycle is underway and the public is invited to attend the 2011 Great Lakes Biennial Meeting, to be held October 12-14 at Wayne State University in Detroit.

    Lana Pollack, U.S Co-Chair of the Commission said, "Human health must be highlighted as a priority concern of both countries in a revised Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. Adding explicit provisions to protect human health based on sound science is one of the most important things we can do." The Commission prepared the report as part of its responsibilities to assess progress toward achieving the objectives of the current Agreement. The report addresses priorities that were the focus of scientific research and public engagement over the past two years. First signed in 1972, the Agreement was last revised in 1987, and the two countries announced in June 2009 that they would be engaging in negotiations to update this important bi-national blueprint for Great Lakes restoration. Some of the recommendations focus on:

• Research and Monitoring - A key concern raised in the report is the resurgence of eutrophication -- aquatic plant growth caused by excessive nutrients such as phosphorus. The report recommends new research and monitoring efforts similar to the Commission's Pollution from Land-use Activities Reference Group (PLUARG) in the 1970s. PLUARG II would help managers better understand eutrophication and select the wisest management actions.
• Governance - The report notes that while collaboration has improved in recent years, there is a critical need to modify existing governance to strengthen coordination across jurisdictional lines to address ecological challenges in the nearshore. The Commission recommends adopting Lakewide Management Plans (LaMPs) as the geographic unit to coordinate, integrate and implement programs to address the impacts of agricultural and urban areas on water quality.
• Regulatory Action and Public Infrastructure - The report recommends that governments institute "no regrets" actions (measures that would be justified under all plausible future scenarios) immediately to reduce nonpoint sources of pollution from agricultural and urban sources. In addition, the Commission recommends improved enforcement efforts to prevent contamination of groundwater, establishment of standards and regular inspections for septic systems and more effective regulations of confined animal feeding operations to ensure proper treatment of manure and application of methods to reduce run-off.

    Access a release from IJC (click here). Access the complete 20-page 15th Biennial Report Executive Summary & Recommendations (click here).