Oct 30: Despite the recent approval of the Great Lakes Compact, the Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation (MCWC) and other non profit organizations announced they will launch a public education campaign, FLOW: For Love of the Great Lakes, in Traverse City on November 16, 2008. The program will launch a drive to protect the waters of the Great Lakes from private export and sale.
The event begins with the Northern Michigan premier of Irena Salina’s New York Times critically-acclaimed film, Flow: For Love of Water, at Traverse City’s State Theatre at 3:00 PM. The film is a documentary about citizen efforts around the world, including Michigan, to stop the privatization or control of water by large corporations. Immediately after the film, a panel discussion and reception will be held at the city’s historic Opera House. Scheduled speakers include: former Michigan Governor Bill Milliken; film maker Irena Salina, environmental attorney Jim Olson; author Dave Dempsey (Great Lakes for Sale); and Terry Swier, President of MCWC. The panel will discuss strategies for citizens to correct what they are calling "a loop-hole in the Great Lakes Compact authorizing the export of water for private sale out of the Great Lakes."
Jim Olson, water law attorney said, “There is a giant loop-hole in the Great Lakes Compact diversion ban that just passed Congress. The ban doesn’t apply to water produced and put in a container. That means water placed in a container will be fair game for the engines of large corporations and their teams of lawyers under NAFTA and international trade law. Citizens, landowners, and businesses in Michigan need to know what’s happened so we can protect our water from future claims by outside interests.”
Access a release from MCWC with further details (click here).
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia Interim Regs Delayed
Oct 28: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) issued a Federal Register notice [73 FR 63867] to delay the effective date of its interim regulations announced on September 9 [[73 FR 52173-52189, See WIMS 9/9/08] to restrict the interstate movement and importation into the United States of live fish that are susceptible to viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS), the highly contagious disease of certain fresh and saltwater fish.
APHIS indicated that the interim rule which was scheduled to become effective on November 10, 2008, will be delayed until January 9, 2009. The delay will provide APHIS with time "to consider all comments and make some adjustments to the interim rule that may be necessary in order to successfully implement it."
In its notice to delay the effective date, APHIS said, "Since publication of the interim rule, we have received comments that address a variety of issues. These issues include the feasibility of the requirement in the interim rule for a visual inspection of regulated fish 72 hours prior to shipment, the provision that Interstate Certificates of Inspection allowing interstate movement of live fish will be valid for 30 days from the date of issuance, and the provision that laboratory testing is valid for 30 days from the date of sample collection for fish held in a water source that is not a secure water source.
"Based on our review of the comments received to date, we consider it advisable to delay the effective date of the interim rule from November 10, 2008, until January 9, 2009, while retaining November 10, 2008, as the close of the comment period for the interim rule and October 9, 2008, as the close of the comment period for the environmental assessment. This additional time will allow APHIS to consider all comments and make some adjustments to the interim rule that may be necessary in order to successfully implement it."
In its original Interim Rule announcement, APHIS indicated that ballast water is a potential pathway for VHS virus; however, APHIS said it "has neither the regulatory authority nor the technical expertise to safely regulate ballast water discharge. Therefore, we do not address ballast water in this interim rule. APHIS will assist the U.S. Coast Guard, which has clear regulatory authority for ballast water, in their development of ballast water discharge standards."
Access the FR announcement (click here). Access the docket for this action to review and submit comments and access documents including the EA and economic assessment (click here). Access a list of species regulated by the order (click here).
APHIS indicated that the interim rule which was scheduled to become effective on November 10, 2008, will be delayed until January 9, 2009. The delay will provide APHIS with time "to consider all comments and make some adjustments to the interim rule that may be necessary in order to successfully implement it."
In its notice to delay the effective date, APHIS said, "Since publication of the interim rule, we have received comments that address a variety of issues. These issues include the feasibility of the requirement in the interim rule for a visual inspection of regulated fish 72 hours prior to shipment, the provision that Interstate Certificates of Inspection allowing interstate movement of live fish will be valid for 30 days from the date of issuance, and the provision that laboratory testing is valid for 30 days from the date of sample collection for fish held in a water source that is not a secure water source.
"Based on our review of the comments received to date, we consider it advisable to delay the effective date of the interim rule from November 10, 2008, until January 9, 2009, while retaining November 10, 2008, as the close of the comment period for the interim rule and October 9, 2008, as the close of the comment period for the environmental assessment. This additional time will allow APHIS to consider all comments and make some adjustments to the interim rule that may be necessary in order to successfully implement it."
In its original Interim Rule announcement, APHIS indicated that ballast water is a potential pathway for VHS virus; however, APHIS said it "has neither the regulatory authority nor the technical expertise to safely regulate ballast water discharge. Therefore, we do not address ballast water in this interim rule. APHIS will assist the U.S. Coast Guard, which has clear regulatory authority for ballast water, in their development of ballast water discharge standards."
Access the FR announcement (click here). Access the docket for this action to review and submit comments and access documents including the EA and economic assessment (click here). Access a list of species regulated by the order (click here).
Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Public Call Summary
Oct 28: The Great Lakes Regional Collaboration (GLRC) Executive Subcommittee has posted a summary of the discussions held on September 17, 2008, during its public call [See WIMS 9/12/08]. The call included discussions of ongoing and planned activities of the GLRC and news about actions to implement the GLRC Strategy to Restore and Protect the Great Lakes.
Topics for discussion included: Update on GLRC Initiatives; Future actions on GLRC Initiatives; and Updates by Stakeholders. Persons wishing to participate should RSVP as indicated in the details on the public call (See link below). Updates of the updates on the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Initiatives including: Toxics, Wetlands, Beaches, and Aquatic Invasives are also available on the website.
Access the 5-page summary of the call including a listing of those participating (click here). Access the GLRC website for links to updates on initiatives and additional information (click here).
Topics for discussion included: Update on GLRC Initiatives; Future actions on GLRC Initiatives; and Updates by Stakeholders. Persons wishing to participate should RSVP as indicated in the details on the public call (See link below). Updates of the updates on the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Initiatives including: Toxics, Wetlands, Beaches, and Aquatic Invasives are also available on the website.
Access the 5-page summary of the call including a listing of those participating (click here). Access the GLRC website for links to updates on initiatives and additional information (click here).
Friday, October 17, 2008
State Of the Lakes Ecosystem Conference Live Webcast
Oct 17: The State of the Lakes Ecosystem Conference (SOLEC) on October 22 - 23, will be video webcast live (Windows Media Player required). The SOLEC conferences are hosted by the U. S. EPA and Environment Canada on behalf of the two Countries every two years in response to the binational Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. The conferences are intended to provide a forum for exchange of information on the ecological condition of the Great Lakes and surrounding lands. A major purpose is to reach a large audience of people in the government (at all levels), corporate and not-for-profit sectors who make decisions that affect the lakes.
Held in even numbered years, the conferences are the focal point of a process of gathering information from a wide variety of sources and engaging a variety of organizations in bringing it together. In the year following each conference the Governments have prepared a report on the state of the Lakes based in large part upon the conference process.
Highlights for Wednesday, October 22, "State of the Great Lakes" (starting at 9 AM Eastern time): Contaminants, Biotic Communities and Invasive Species; Coastal Zones and Aquatic Habitats; Human Health, Land Use, Resource Utilization, and Climate Change; Keynote Speaker – Thomas Homer-Dixon; Impacts of Changing Land Use; Nearshore Terrestrial Ecosystems Coastal Wetlands; and Nearshore Waters - biological, physical, chemical features.
Highlights for Thursday, October 23 "Ecosystem Status Reports: Lakes and Connecting Channels" (starting at 7:30 AM Eastern time): Lake Superior – Non-native species; Lake Michigan – Botulism; Lake Huron – Beaches and Recreational Water Quality; St. Clair-Detroit River Connecting Channel - Nutrients and algal blooms; Lake Erie – Nutrients and Harmful Algal Blooms; Niagara River – Contaminants; Lake Ontario – Impacts of Water Levels; and Keynote Speaker Peter Annin – "Great Lakes Water Wars."
Access a detailed agenda and webcast information (click here). Access the SOLEC website for more information (click here). Access the Binational SOLEC website for additional information (click here).
Held in even numbered years, the conferences are the focal point of a process of gathering information from a wide variety of sources and engaging a variety of organizations in bringing it together. In the year following each conference the Governments have prepared a report on the state of the Lakes based in large part upon the conference process.
Highlights for Wednesday, October 22, "State of the Great Lakes" (starting at 9 AM Eastern time): Contaminants, Biotic Communities and Invasive Species; Coastal Zones and Aquatic Habitats; Human Health, Land Use, Resource Utilization, and Climate Change; Keynote Speaker – Thomas Homer-Dixon; Impacts of Changing Land Use; Nearshore Terrestrial Ecosystems Coastal Wetlands; and Nearshore Waters - biological, physical, chemical features.
Highlights for Thursday, October 23 "Ecosystem Status Reports: Lakes and Connecting Channels" (starting at 7:30 AM Eastern time): Lake Superior – Non-native species; Lake Michigan – Botulism; Lake Huron – Beaches and Recreational Water Quality; St. Clair-Detroit River Connecting Channel - Nutrients and algal blooms; Lake Erie – Nutrients and Harmful Algal Blooms; Niagara River – Contaminants; Lake Ontario – Impacts of Water Levels; and Keynote Speaker Peter Annin – "Great Lakes Water Wars."
Access a detailed agenda and webcast information (click here). Access the SOLEC website for more information (click here). Access the Binational SOLEC website for additional information (click here).
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Local Chambers Launch Great Lakes/Midwest Regional Agenda
Oct 15: The Great Lakes Region Coalition (GLRC), a coalition of over 30 chambers of commerce and 94,000 job providers, has launched an initiative promoting an aggressive Federal legislative business agenda for growing the Midwest region’s economy, creating jobs and attracting investment for states in the Great Lakes area. GLRC notes that Great Lakes region, which is an important political battleground in the presidential election, makes up about a third of the nation’s overall economy and represents a third of the country’s population.
The coalition agenda includes the following business priorities: Improving the Midwest’s transportation infrastructure; Creating a more open and secure border with Canada; Adopting a comprehensive immigration policy; Diversifying the region’s economy by boosting innovation and entrepreneurship; and Harnessing the Great Lakes’ economic potential. Richard Blouse Jr., president and CEO for the Detroit Regional Chamber said, “In the global economy, regions are competing for business and jobs. The Midwest states are working together to aggressively grow jobs and attract investment.”
GLRC members said, "What is good for the Midwest is good for the United States. . .As the presidential candidates vigorously campaign for votes in these swing states, they need to hear from the employers creating jobs and growing businesses on how best to strengthen the region’s economy. . . Midwestern states are leading exporters for the U.S. and improving the region’s economic standing will strengthen the nation’s role in the global economy.”
The agenda further calls for renewing and leveraging the "Great Lakes and our natural attributes to transform the economic region by supporting business development and research opportunities compatible with fresh water technology, and water-based development, while protecting and improving both the supply and the quality of water for use in our region without diversion." The group is advocating the completion of the proposed Great Lakes Restoration plan now pending before Congress.
GLRC has defined a new Great Lakes/Midwest Region including all or parts of twelve states -- New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota. The initiative evolved from the Summit of Metropolitan Chambers of Commerce in the Great Lakes states, held in February, 2008. The Summit was the first of its kind in the region and was motivated by the desire of leaders of business communities in the Great Lakes region to develop a shared economic policy and advocacy agenda that reflects the common economic interests of the Great Lakes/Midwest region and addresses the opportunities that lie ahead. More than 45 CEOs and staff from 30 chambers and other business groups attended the summit, as did key staff from the Brookings Institution Metropolitan Policy Program.
The agenda says that the Federal government should seek to partner with public and private research organizations in the Great Lakes and calls for increased Federal support of research and development in the Great Lakes states focusing on: Clean energy; Sustainable transportation; Clean and abundant fresh water; High quality environmental conditions; and Forward-looking life sciences and health care. Further, the agenda states: "The recent ratification of the Great Lakes Compact and passage of the Great Lakes Legacy Act are major milestones in the life of the lakes and recognition of the vital role they will play in the region’s future. However, there is more to do."
Specifically the agenda calls for implementation of the Great Lakes Restoration Strategy; providing funding of $13.75 billion of the estimated $26 billion to address Great Lakes needs including:Aquatic invasive species, Habitats and conservation, Coastal health, Areas of concern, Non-point sources, Toxic pollutants, Sustainable development,cr Indicators and information. Additionally, the Federal government should establish programs to control untreated ballast water from ocean-going vessels; to rebuild the region’s water and sewer infrastructure; provide adequate matching resources to eliminate combined sewer overflows and storm water runoff; provide resources to meet federal air quality standards; legal support for the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR); and increased funding for the Diesel Emission Reduction Act.
Access a release from the Detroit Regional Chamber (click here). Access the 9-page business agenda and list of participating chambers (click here).
The coalition agenda includes the following business priorities: Improving the Midwest’s transportation infrastructure; Creating a more open and secure border with Canada; Adopting a comprehensive immigration policy; Diversifying the region’s economy by boosting innovation and entrepreneurship; and Harnessing the Great Lakes’ economic potential. Richard Blouse Jr., president and CEO for the Detroit Regional Chamber said, “In the global economy, regions are competing for business and jobs. The Midwest states are working together to aggressively grow jobs and attract investment.”
GLRC members said, "What is good for the Midwest is good for the United States. . .As the presidential candidates vigorously campaign for votes in these swing states, they need to hear from the employers creating jobs and growing businesses on how best to strengthen the region’s economy. . . Midwestern states are leading exporters for the U.S. and improving the region’s economic standing will strengthen the nation’s role in the global economy.”
The agenda further calls for renewing and leveraging the "Great Lakes and our natural attributes to transform the economic region by supporting business development and research opportunities compatible with fresh water technology, and water-based development, while protecting and improving both the supply and the quality of water for use in our region without diversion." The group is advocating the completion of the proposed Great Lakes Restoration plan now pending before Congress.
GLRC has defined a new Great Lakes/Midwest Region including all or parts of twelve states -- New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota. The initiative evolved from the Summit of Metropolitan Chambers of Commerce in the Great Lakes states, held in February, 2008. The Summit was the first of its kind in the region and was motivated by the desire of leaders of business communities in the Great Lakes region to develop a shared economic policy and advocacy agenda that reflects the common economic interests of the Great Lakes/Midwest region and addresses the opportunities that lie ahead. More than 45 CEOs and staff from 30 chambers and other business groups attended the summit, as did key staff from the Brookings Institution Metropolitan Policy Program.
The agenda says that the Federal government should seek to partner with public and private research organizations in the Great Lakes and calls for increased Federal support of research and development in the Great Lakes states focusing on: Clean energy; Sustainable transportation; Clean and abundant fresh water; High quality environmental conditions; and Forward-looking life sciences and health care. Further, the agenda states: "The recent ratification of the Great Lakes Compact and passage of the Great Lakes Legacy Act are major milestones in the life of the lakes and recognition of the vital role they will play in the region’s future. However, there is more to do."
Specifically the agenda calls for implementation of the Great Lakes Restoration Strategy; providing funding of $13.75 billion of the estimated $26 billion to address Great Lakes needs including:Aquatic invasive species, Habitats and conservation, Coastal health, Areas of concern, Non-point sources, Toxic pollutants, Sustainable development,cr Indicators and information. Additionally, the Federal government should establish programs to control untreated ballast water from ocean-going vessels; to rebuild the region’s water and sewer infrastructure; provide adequate matching resources to eliminate combined sewer overflows and storm water runoff; provide resources to meet federal air quality standards; legal support for the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR); and increased funding for the Diesel Emission Reduction Act.
Access a release from the Detroit Regional Chamber (click here). Access the 9-page business agenda and list of participating chambers (click here).
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Alberta Oil Sands & The Great Lakes Basin
Oct 8: The Program on Water Issues at the Munk Centre for International Studies, University of Toronto held a conference today (October 8) entitled, How the Oil Sands Got to the Great Lakes Basin: Pipelines, Refineries and Emissions to Air and Water. A record of the conference proceedings, including questions and answers, will be uploaded to the Program on Water Issues website following the event.
The conference announcement indicates that refineries in the Great Lakes Basin are rapidly expanding to accommodate crude oil from the Alberta oil sands. The conference is intended to provide an opportunity, in a university setting, to inform public opinion about the impacts of refinery expansion in the Basin, drawing on data analysis, shared information and public discussion. Emphasis will be placed on the cumulative effect of refinery expansions on water quality, air quality and human and non-human downwind communities in the Basin. The conference will provide a bilateral opportunity for interactive public comment and dialogue from experts involved in a wide range of disciplines. The conference begins with a presentation of the Conference Paper by the author, journalist David Israelson. Panel members representing government, environmental sciences, law, non-government organizations, academia, industry and the business community will share points of view on issues relating to the refinery expansion.
Access the Program on Water Issues website for complete information (click here). Access the Conference Paper (click here).
The conference announcement indicates that refineries in the Great Lakes Basin are rapidly expanding to accommodate crude oil from the Alberta oil sands. The conference is intended to provide an opportunity, in a university setting, to inform public opinion about the impacts of refinery expansion in the Basin, drawing on data analysis, shared information and public discussion. Emphasis will be placed on the cumulative effect of refinery expansions on water quality, air quality and human and non-human downwind communities in the Basin. The conference will provide a bilateral opportunity for interactive public comment and dialogue from experts involved in a wide range of disciplines. The conference begins with a presentation of the Conference Paper by the author, journalist David Israelson. Panel members representing government, environmental sciences, law, non-government organizations, academia, industry and the business community will share points of view on issues relating to the refinery expansion.
Access the Program on Water Issues website for complete information (click here). Access the Conference Paper (click here).
Electric Fish Barrier Fraught With Problems
Oct 5: A lengthy and detailed article by Dan Egan in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel explores the myriad of problems associated with the $9 million electric fish barrier in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal designed to halt the advance of the Asian Carp from reaching Lake Michigan. Fraught with delays, cost overruns and potentially project-busting safety concerns the barrier remains nonoperational. New concerns about potential electrification of barge workers or possible sparks and electrical currents reaching flammable barge loads cannot apparently be disproven. In the meantime, the giant Asian Carp continues to advance within a two-day swim of Lake Michigan and 15 miles from the new barrier.
According to the article, "The carp, meanwhile, are thriving in the region's rivers by the tens of millions. They can be found about 45 miles downstream from Lake Michigan, squeezing aside native fish populations and ruining rivers for recreation because of their penchant for porpoising out of the water and battering boaters."
Access the complete article (click here).
According to the article, "The carp, meanwhile, are thriving in the region's rivers by the tens of millions. They can be found about 45 miles downstream from Lake Michigan, squeezing aside native fish populations and ruining rivers for recreation because of their penchant for porpoising out of the water and battering boaters."
Access the complete article (click here).
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