August 6, 2008
Great Lakes Water Compact Stalled
As the MLPC first reported, it looks like there is a good chance that the complete vote for the Great Lakes Water Resources Compact will get pushed back into next year. After the U.S. House went into recess without voting on the measure. The House will have three weeks left to vote the rest of this year, and with the economy taking center stage those issues may trump the Compact. Politicians have been working on some form of the Compact since 1998.
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August 4, 2008
Great Lakes Water Levels
All the rain in the Great Lakes region has the lakes rising at a rapid clip. Lakes Michigan and Huron rose 8 inches in the last two months alone. It takes close to 400 billion gallons of water to raise each lake one inch. Lake Superior is close to 16 inches higher than it was last year, in some areas.
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July 30, 2008
Great Lakes Water Compact on the Fast Track?
The House Judiciary Committee voted to send to the House floor a bill to ratify the Great Lakes Water Compact. The Compact is now on the fast track to be approved by Congress and signed by the President by the...
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July 29, 2008
Senate Hearing on the Great Lakes
President Bush has finally made his feelings clear on the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact. Read what he has to say about the Compact below, before the Senate committee hearing tomorrow. - I congratulate the Governors and... Continue reading "Senate Hearing on the Great Lakes"
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July 25, 2008
Mysteries of the Great Lakes
The Mysteries of the Great Lakes is an IMAX film playing all over the Great Lakes region. The film explores the people and animals that rely on these freshwater inland seas for their livelihoods and survival. Check here to... Continue reading "Mysteries of the Great Lakes"
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July 18, 2008
The Great Lakes Economy
Invasive species are causing the destruction of the Great Lakes ecosystem, and now over $200 million dollars in damage to the local economies. The Center for Aquatic Conservation at the University of Notre Dame released this study. In 2006, the... Continue reading "The Great Lakes Economy"
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July 16, 2008
Great Lakes Water Levels Rising
With all the rain across the Midwest, lake levels are rising rapidly. Lake Michigan and Lake Huron rose six inches in June. The amount of water rushing into the lakes was 30% higher than average. The lakes are still 16... Continue reading "Great Lakes Water Levels Rising"
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July 14, 2008
The Great Lakes and Oil
With oil hitting all time highs the call to drill in and around the Great Lakes for oil is heating up. Read a few stories of the problems that are created by searching for oil and natural gas around the... Continue reading "The Great Lakes and Oil"
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July 9, 2008
Michigan and the Great Lakes Compact
Gov. Jennifer Granholm will head to Oval Beach on Lake Michigan to sign the Great Lakes Compact into law today. The ceremony starts at 10:00 am, and follows a day after Gov. Edward Rendell of Pennsylvania signed the agreement.... Continue reading "Michigan and the Great Lakes Compact"
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July 8, 2008
Great Lakes Compact On NPR
As Pennsylvania gets ready to approve the Great Lakes Compact, Congress will be next in the long process to sign the accord into law. See what NPR has to say about the Compact, and the political and environmental ramifications, here.... Continue reading "Great Lakes Compact On NPR"
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June 30, 2008
Great Lakes Environmental Report
A must read comes from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the report Great Lakes, Great Peril dives deep into the problems facing the Great Lakes. It covers the ecological and economical problems caused by cladophora and invasive species in the lakes.... Continue reading "Great Lakes Environmental Report"
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Earth Voyager Tour
Earth Voyager Video The fastest sailing boat on the Great Lakes is touring the watershed trying to drum up support for protecting and restoring the lakes. The Earth Voyager has been clocked at speeds close to 40 mph (33... Continue reading "Earth Voyager Tour"
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June 24, 2008
Michigan to Pass Great Lakes Compact
House and Senate leaders have reached an agreement in Michigan which would pass the Great Lakes Compact as soon as this week. The agreement hinged on setting water usage standards and regulations within the state. Pennsylvania would be the only... Continue reading "Michigan to Pass Great Lakes Compact"
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June 17, 2008
Beach Closings
Close to 50 beaches are closed due to flooding across the Great Lakes watershed. The beach closings are mainly due to possible E. coli contaminations. Swollen rivers and taxed sewer systems have been dumping more debris and contaminants throughout the... Continue reading "Beach Closings"
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June 12, 2008
The International Upper Great Lakes Study
The International Upper Great Lakes Study covers lakes Superior, Huron, Michigan and Erie and the St. Mary’s, St. Clair, Detroit and Niagara rivers and Lake St. Clair. The results will be ready by 2011 with recommendations to the International Joint... Continue reading "The International Upper Great Lakes Study"
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June 11, 2008
Ohio to Pass Great Lakes Compact
Ohio lawmakers have moved to make it the sixth state to approve the Great Lakes Compact, and Pennsylvania and Michigan will be the only states left to ratify the agreement. The major obstacle to some lawmakers was the disagreement over... Continue reading "Ohio to Pass Great Lakes Compact"
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May 27, 2008
Doyle Signs Great Lakes Compact
Governor Doyle of Wisconsin will sign the Great Lakes Compact today, after lawmakers have been fighting over the proposal since September 2006. Michigan, Pennsylvania and Ohio will be the only states remaining that need to ratify the agreement.... Continue reading "Doyle Signs Great Lakes Compact"
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May 23, 2008
Tim Grendell and the Great Lakes
It looks like Tim Grendell will help stall the ratifying of the Great Lakes Compact until the end of this year. The Senator is proposing a new resolution for the Great Lakes Compact. He wants private property rights in Ohio... Continue reading "Tim Grendell and the Great Lakes"
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May 15, 2008
Wisconsin Ratifys Great Lakes Compact
Wisconsin has finally ratified the Great Lakes Compact. The senate passed the measure 32-1 after Gov. Jim Doyle called the lawmakers into a special session last month to hammer out an agreement.... Continue reading "Wisconsin Ratifys Great Lakes Compact"
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May 12, 2008
Ohio Senators Stall Compact
Ohio is still holding up the Great Lakes Water Compact. The public can contact the two Senators that keep the Compact from moving forward in the state and nationally; and voice an opinion on the matter. Their email addresses and... Continue reading "Ohio Senators Stall Compact"
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May 8, 2008
John McCain and the Great Lakes
Presidential hopeful John McCain stated he would never agree to divert water from the Great Lakes to any other state or country. The statement came at a town hall meeting at Oakland University in Michigan. McCain said, "People who live... Continue reading "John McCain and the Great Lakes"
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May 1, 2008
Public Health Implications of the Great Lakes Areas of Concern
A revised report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control has stated that no definitive link can be made between industrial pollution in the Great Lakes region and human health concerns. The new version of the study contradicts a draft... Continue reading "Public Health Implications of the Great Lakes Areas of Concern"
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April 30, 2008
Great Lakes Earth Day Challenge
People in the Great Lakes basin have come out in droves to support the EPA's Great Lakes Earth Day Challenge. The EPA wanted to collect 1 million pounds of electronics for recycling and 1 million pills for safe disposal to... Continue reading "Great Lakes Earth Day Challenge"
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April 29, 2008
Great Lakes Water Levels
In Lake St. Clair, the lake level for April 20 was 574.1 feet above sea level, .3 inches below its long-term average. Lakes Michigan and Huron are about 577.03 feet, close to 18 inches below normal for the month of... Continue reading "Great Lakes Water Levels"
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April 22, 2008
The Great Lakes Song
Many people may not know that the famed poet, Shel Silverstein, had a soft spot in his heart for the Great Lakes, after spending many summers on the shores of Lake Erie. He even co-wrote a song about the lakes,... Continue reading "The Great Lakes Song"
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April 18, 2008
Great Lakes Water Levels
A hearing will be held in Green Bay, Wisconsin on the Great Lakes water level drop. The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure’s Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment will hear testimony on low water levels in the Great Lakes.... Continue reading "Great Lakes Water Levels"
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April 17, 2008
Brookings Report-Great Lakes
A $20 billion stalled clean up plan by the Federal Government to clean toxic hotspots, restore fish and wildlife habitat, end exotic species introductions and sewage overflows would go to great lengths to bolster cities along the Great Lakes according... Continue reading "Brookings Report-Great Lakes"
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April 16, 2008
Great Lakes Compact Plods Along
The special legislative session called in Wisconsin starts Thursday to ratify the Great Lakes Compact, but the bill could be signed into law on or before Earth Day. The hold-up is related to wrapping up details in the bill's language... Continue reading "Great Lakes Compact Plods Along"
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April 15, 2008
Great Lakes Cutters
The Coast Guard has its hands full with ice on the Great Lakes this year. Officials believe they have not seen a year like this in the basin in over a decade. Cutters are still breaking ice on the lakes,... Continue reading "Great Lakes Cutters"
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April 10, 2008
Tim Grendell Holds Up Compact
Senator Tim Grendell of Ohio wants voters to amend their constitution to address what he sees as a fundamental problem with the Great Lakes Compact. He believes the agreement will transfer all privately owned groundwater into public hands, if that... Continue reading "Tim Grendell Holds Up Compact"
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April 9, 2008
Wisconsin To Pass Great Lakes Compact
Wisconsin may announce that they have finally agreed with other states over the Great Lakes Compact. Lawmakers from across the state, as well as Jim Doyle are scheduled to speak in New Berlin later today.... Continue reading "Wisconsin To Pass Great Lakes Compact"
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April 8, 2008
New Rules For Great Lakes Fishermen
New anti-terrorism rules from the Department of Homeland Security are in place for the Great Lakes, and have many Charter Captains in the watershed quite angry. Those planning to use a Charter service to fish have to bring with them... Continue reading "New Rules For Great Lakes Fishermen"
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April 1, 2008
Lee Fisher and the Great Lakes
Would Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher of Ohio be open to selling water from the Great Lakes to other states or countries? The Great Lakes region may have to decide soon whether to sell this valuable commodity. Fisher believes his first... Continue reading "Lee Fisher and the Great Lakes"
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March 27, 2008
Ohio Threatens Compact
The Ohio Senate may put an agreement to keep Great Lakes water from being diverted in jeopardy. Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana and New York have approved the Great Lakes Basin Compact. The Ohio House approved it in February, and it is... Continue reading "Ohio Threatens Compact"
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March 19, 2008
Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Compact
New York State will join other Great Lakes states and Canadian provinces to protect and improve the watershed of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin. Legislation authorizing New York's participation in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact... Continue reading "Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Compact"
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March 12, 2008
Map of Great Lakes
A rare map of the Great Lakes created by the Jesuit priest Francesco Bressani in 1657 and recreated around 1900, sold for $5,040 at auction. Only two examples of the original map exist. The original map was printed on two... Continue reading "Map of Great Lakes"
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March 11, 2008
Wisconsin Fails to Pass Compact
It looks like the Great Lakes Compact will not pass in Wisconsin this session, but legislators believe that negotiations for the Compact are not dead---just delayed.... Continue reading "Wisconsin Fails to Pass Compact"
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National Great Lakes Maritime Museum
The Great Lakes Historical Society plans to create a National Great Lakes Maritime Museum in Lorain, Ohio in the near future and is currently securing funds for the project.... Continue reading "National Great Lakes Maritime Museum"
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March 10, 2008
Great Lakes Water Levels
Water levels in the Great Lakes this summer may be helped by the above average snowfall in much of the Midwest. The snow will be a great help after Lake Superior hit record lows in August and September, and Lakes... Continue reading "Great Lakes Water Levels"
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March 7, 2008
Great Lakes Update
The Wisconsin Senate finally passed the Great Lakes Compact designed to protect the watershed of the Great Lakes. The 26-6 vote in the Democratic-controlled chamber sent the Compact to the state Assembly, where Republican leaders have already raised objections to... Continue reading "Great Lakes Update"
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March 3, 2008
Great Lakes Water Supply
The water supply into Lake Michigan was above the long-term average for February while supply into Lake Superior was below the long-term average. Lake Michigan and Huron, whose levels fall one centimeter in February on average, instead rose by four... Continue reading "Great Lakes Water Supply"
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February 29, 2008
Changes to the Great Lakes Compact?
Add Waukesha County Executive Dan Vrakas to a growing list of politicians in Wisconsin that want to amend the Great Lakes Basin Water Resource Compact, so one governor of a Great Lakes state can't veto a community's request to use... Continue reading "Changes to the Great Lakes Compact?"
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February 25, 2008
Wisconsin and the Great Lakes
A bill that would make Wisconsin part of an eight-state compact to protect the Great Lakes in the State Assembly has hit a major snag, and may derail the agreement. Wisconsin may end up being the lone party refusing to... Continue reading "Wisconsin and the Great Lakes"
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February 21, 2008
Indiana Senate Bill 45
Governor Mitch Daniels of Indiana has signed into law Senate Bill 45, which brings the state into agreement with the Great Lakes Compact.... Continue reading "Indiana Senate Bill 45"
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February 20, 2008
Ghost Ships Festival
Join divers, explorers, authors and historians at the 9th annual Ghost Ships Festival. The event takes place on March 7th & 8th, 2008 at The Wyndham Airport and Convention Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Ghost Ships Festival is a conference... Continue reading "Ghost Ships Festival"
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Governors Urge Action
The eight Great Lakes Governors urged state legislators to take the steps needed to protect the region’s water. They call for swift enactment of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact and rejected calls for renegotiations. They hope... Continue reading "Governors Urge Action"
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February 18, 2008
Top Polluted Spots in the Great Lakes
The United States and Canada have teamed up to clean up and remediate some of the most polluted areas in the Great Lakes Watershed. Forty-three areas of concern have been identified: 26 located entirely within the United States; 12 located... Continue reading "Top Polluted Spots in the Great Lakes"
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February 15, 2008
Ohio and Wisconsin May Derail Compact
Ohio and Wisconsin may propose changes in the Great Lakes water compact that could force renegotiation of the deal. Minnesota and Illinois have ratified the compact. Lawmakers in Indiana and New York have approved ratification bills that await signatures from... Continue reading "Ohio and Wisconsin May Derail Compact"
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February 13, 2008
New York Passes Compact
The New York Legislature passed the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact this week. Minnesota has already adopted the compact. The Illinois Legislature also passed the compact and is awaiting final approval from that state's governor. Indiana, Pennsylvania... Continue reading "New York Passes Compact"
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February 7, 2008
President Bush and the Great Lakes
President Bush's proposed budget would hurt efforts to clean up the Great Lakes and prevent problems such as sewage overflows and exotic species invasions. Federal spending for Great Lakes water quality programs would be slashed 16 percent from this year's... Continue reading "President Bush and the Great Lakes"
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February 5, 2008
Wisconsin and the Great Lakes Compact
The Great Lakes Compact is expected to be introduced in the Wisconsin state legislature this week. Illinois and Minnesota have already approved the Great Lakes Compact, joining an effort started two years ago when Great Lakes governors signed on to... Continue reading "Wisconsin and the Great Lakes Compact"
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February 4, 2008
Ohio and the Great Lakes Compact
The Ohio House expects to ratify the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact this week. Soon, the Ohio Senate will begin deliberating on the issue, see what Senator Sue Morano has to say about the issue here.... Continue reading "Ohio and the Great Lakes Compact"
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January 31, 2008
GAO-Great Lakes Report
The U.S. is not doing enough to measure highly toxic chemicals in the Great Lakes that accumulate in fish, creating health risks for people and wildlife that may eat them according to a report by the Government Accountability Office. The... Continue reading "GAO-Great Lakes Report"
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January 25, 2008
The Evolution of the Great Lakes (Video)
What is happening to our Great Lakes? From nuclear plants to invasive species this ecosystem is being destroyed. What is the future of this once pristine watershed? PCB's, estrogen, and pesticides are reeking havoc on native species in the... Continue reading "The Evolution of the Great Lakes (Video)"
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January 24, 2008
How Do Seiches Happen?
A seiche is a continuous oscillation that can shift the water level by multiple feet in any of the Great Lakes in minutes. Listen to what researchers have to say about this phenomenon in this radio interview.... Continue reading "How Do Seiches Happen?"
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January 23, 2008
Great Lakes Facts
Did you know that over 23 billion gallons of raw sewage were dumped into the Great Lakes in 2006? Or, that 80% of all Great Lakes fishes use coastal wetlands for spawning or nursery habitat? Want to learn more? Follow... Continue reading "Great Lakes Facts"
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January 16, 2008
Wind Energy and the Great Lakes
Proposals for harnessing wind energy are popping up again across the Great Lakes Basin. Liovas Construction has made a proposal to build wind turbines in Lake Erie. Liovas is proposing a 30-megawatt project with 15 turbines in the lake. There... Continue reading "Wind Energy and the Great Lakes"
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January 15, 2008
Presidential Candidates and the Environment
Are you wondering what the various presidential candidates from both parties think about global warming, water shortages, and the state of our lakes, oceans and rivers? Well, check out this handy guide compiled by the League of Conservation Voters to... Continue reading "Presidential Candidates and the Environment"
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Great Lakes Water Links
Here are a few links to what people are saying about the water here in the Midwest, and Great Lakes Basin. Is the water compact a good idea? Bills seeking to restrict the diversion of Great Lakes water to other... Continue reading "Great Lakes Water Links"
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January 8, 2008
Indiana and the Great Lakes Compact
A ban on drawing large amounts of water from the Great Lakes is expected to pass the Indiana General Assembly. The Great Lakes Compact will prohibit new and increased diversions unless the eight governors approve the diversion. A bill to... Continue reading "Indiana and the Great Lakes Compact"
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December 20, 2007
Great Lakes Water Resources Compact
Senator Beverly Gard wants Indiana to sign onto the Great Lakes Water Resources Compact, and is supported both by businesses and environmental groups throughout the state. Only Minnesota and Illinois have so far ratified the agreement, but legislation is being... Continue reading "Great Lakes Water Resources Compact"
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December 19, 2007
Lighthouses of the Great Lakes (Video)
Travel from Seul Choix to Cana Island, and visit the various lighthouses throughout the Great Lakes watershed in this video.... Continue reading "Lighthouses of the Great Lakes (Video)"
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December 18, 2007
NOAA Great Lakes Lab
A larger NOAA Great Lakes research laboratory in Pittsfield Township, Michigan will replace the current Ann Arbor laboratory sometime in 2008. The building will provide twice as much space as the current location as well as updated wet and dry... Continue reading "NOAA Great Lakes Lab"
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December 5, 2007
Record Lows on Great Lakes Nearing
Lake water levels in Michigan and Huron briefly dipped below the record low last week according to federal monitoring data. The reading from a testing gauge on Lake Huron was not a record because the level must be sustained over... Continue reading "Record Lows on Great Lakes Nearing"
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November 30, 2007
Commercialization of Great Lakes Water
The Nestle Company has been allowed to pump 218,000 gallons per minute of groundwater headed for Lake Michigan. This commercialization of fresh Great Lakes water by Nestle allows them to ship more than 114 billion gallons per year. In addition... Continue reading "Commercialization of Great Lakes Water"
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November 9, 2007
Surfing the Great Lakes
With Fall in full gear, Great Lakes surf becomes more consistent and somewhat more predictable. Sheyboygan, Wisconsin and Lake Michigan are the location of the swells in this video.... Continue reading "Surfing the Great Lakes"
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November 2, 2007
Erosion and the Great Lakes
Video images from the St. Clair River show that erosion is not causing water levels in Lake Michigan and Lake Huron to drop. Members of the research team believe it is still too early to judge if erosion on the... Continue reading "Erosion and the Great Lakes"
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October 29, 2007
Michigan Bill 629
Senate Bill 629 in Michigan will "prohibit a person from jumping, diving, or swimming from a pier, jetty, breakwater or other similar structure, or a buoy or other navigational device, that was located in the Great Lakes or their connecting... Continue reading "Michigan Bill 629"
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Water Wars Heat Up
Are the future water wars already here? Well, after reading these stories they may very well be. The Great Lakes and Midwest are at the center of a debate that will become increasingly important in the years to come. Read... Continue reading "Water Wars Heat Up"
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October 23, 2007
Erosion, Dredging and the Great Lakes
The International Joint Commission will study whether erosion from dredging on the St. Clair River is causing water levels to drop in Lakes Huron and Michigan. It will submit a series of updates on its progress and draft a report... Continue reading "Erosion, Dredging and the Great Lakes"
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October 12, 2007
Bill Richardson and the Great Lakes
Comments made by Bill Richardson continue to stir controversy among government and conservation officials around the Midwest. Richardson said he would bring northern states into the discussion of how to help the water deprived Southwest solve their shortage problems. "I... Continue reading "Bill Richardson and the Great Lakes"
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October 9, 2007
Great Lakes Parks Under Pressure
A long list of threats to national parks and beaches in the Great Lakes watershed has many concerned. Trout and clam populations have been decimated, and sand dunes are shrinking throughout the region. The National Parks Conservation Association believes the... Continue reading "Great Lakes Parks Under Pressure"
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October 5, 2007
Great Lakes Video
Watch this report on the problems the Great Lakes are facing from CNN, in this video. From low water levels to global warming, people around the basin have varying opinions on what is happening to their treasured lakes.... Continue reading "Great Lakes Video"
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October 2, 2007
The Great Lakes Are In Trouble
Drought has pushed Lake Superior's water level to its lowest point on record for this time of year. Data shows Superior's average water level in September dipped 1.6 inches beneath the previous low for that month reached in 1926. The... Continue reading "The Great Lakes Are In Trouble"
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September 27, 2007
Water Resources Development Act
President Bush will get a chance to reject legislation authorizing some $21 billion in national water projects, including an Asian carp barrier to the Great Lakes and many others that would impact the Midwest. The Senate approved the Water Resources... Continue reading "Water Resources Development Act"
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September 11, 2007
Study Comes Up Empty in Wisconsin
A legislative study committee formed in Wisconsin to consider approval of a regional compact to manage the use of Great Lakes water has disbanded. Wisconsin remains the only state in which a bill to approve the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River... Continue reading "Study Comes Up Empty in Wisconsin"
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September 8, 2007
Investing In The Great Lakes
Can restoring the Great Lakes be good for the economy? Some say, yes. A $26 billion investment over the next five years could create $50 billion in economic benefit for the Midwest. Short-term economic activity from clean up of the... Continue reading "Investing In The Great Lakes"
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August 29, 2007
Respecting the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem
The official signing of the Canada-Ontario Agreement Respecting the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem is now in place. The Canada-Ontario Agreement focuses on cleaning up 15 degraded ecosystems around the Great Lakes, reducing harmful pollutants, conserving fish and wildlife species and... Continue reading "Respecting the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem"
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August 27, 2007
Great Lakes Cruise Ships
Efforts to revive the cruise industry on the Great Lakes have stalled, due to low water levels and a short sailing season. Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, a German company, has pulled its popular ship, the MS Columbus, from the Great Lakes for... Continue reading "Great Lakes Cruise Ships"
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August 20, 2007
Illinois Approves Great Lakes Pact
Illinois is the second state to sign the agreement designed to protect the Great Lakes. Governor Rod Blagojevich has signed House Bill 375. The interstate compact that will restrict how much water can be withdrawn from the Great Lakes. Each... Continue reading "Illinois Approves Great Lakes Pact"
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August 8, 2007
Lake Huron Water Levels
Lake Huron levels are expected to drop throughout August as Lake Superior is at its lowest level in more than 80 years. Superior is about 21 inches below its long-term average level for the beginning of August. Water supplies to... Continue reading "Lake Huron Water Levels"
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August 6, 2007
BP and the Great Lakes
Congress has passed a resolution reprehending an Indiana permit allowing oil giant BP to dump more pollutants into Lake Michigan. The permit decision touched off nearly 45,000 signatures opposing BP's increased pollution to Lake Michigan resulting from its planned refinery... Continue reading "BP and the Great Lakes"
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July 16, 2007
Water Consumption
29 cities in Canada and the United States around the Great Lakes have adopted a goal of reducing water consumption 15% by 2015. Among the largest participants are Grand Rapids; Toledo; Chicago; Buffalo, N.Y.; Rochester, N.Y.; Hamilton, Ontario; Montreal, and... Continue reading "Water Consumption"
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July 6, 2007
Don't Eat the Fish?
Fish found in the Great Lakes remain so heavily contaminated by industrial chemicals such as dioxins, PCBs, and methyl mercury that they may be unfit for human consumption. A report by Environmental Defence, Canada says that while there have been... Continue reading "Don't Eat the Fish?"
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June 8, 2007
State of the Great Lakes
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Environment Canada released the 2007 State of the Great Lakes Highlights Report. Overall, the chemical, physical and biological integrity of the Great Lakes ecosystem is mixed, with some conditions improving while others are getting... Continue reading "State of the Great Lakes"
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May 31, 2007
Oil Drilling in the Great Lakes
A Republican Michigan lawmaker is touting something that his Democratic counterparts hail as a threat to the Great Lakes. Representative Tim Walberg recently proposed the idea of tapping oil resources in the Great Lakes much to the dismay of others.... Continue reading "Oil Drilling in the Great Lakes"
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May 29, 2007
Where is the Water?
The drought affecting the Upper Midwest has taken its toll on the lakes, and scientists say low levels are part of a long-term weather cycle that probably won't end soon. A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers survey comparing monthly water... Continue reading "Where is the Water?"
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April 23, 2007
Ban Ocean Freighters?
A conservation group wants to ban ocean freighters from the Great Lakes, to help put a stop to the onslaught of invasive species. Great Lakes United says shutting the St. Lawrence Seaway to seafaring ships would be similar to closing... Continue reading "Ban Ocean Freighters?"
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April 19, 2007
Great Lakes Region
Global warming is likely to dramatically alter the Great Lakes region in the coming decades, making the world's largest body of fresh water shallower and dirtier while hurting the region's ability to capitalize on its greatest natural resource. That's the... Continue reading "Great Lakes Region"
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April 11, 2007
Great Lakes Dredge & Dock
Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation a provider of dredging services in the United States and a provider of commercial and industrial demolition services, announced that it has signed definitive agreements to purchase dredging equipment from affiliates of C.F. Bean... Continue reading "Great Lakes Dredge & Dock"
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April 9, 2007
Bait Rule
Wisconsin anglers can no longer use imported bait, unless it meets strict testing requirements, and they can't move live fish from the Great Lakes or the Mississippi River. It's all designed to contain an exotic virus that causes fish to...Link to this article | Comments (0)
March 29, 2007
Great Lakes Maps
Are you interested in mapping or charting of the Great Lakes? If so check out the new exhibit, 300 Years of Original Maps- Wisconsin and the Great Lakes Region, at the University Of Wisconsin.... Continue reading "Great Lakes Maps"
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March 23, 2007
St Lawrence River and Seaway
One of the many ships to use the St. Lawrence. The Saint Lawrence River originates at the outflow of Lake Ontario. From there, it passes Cornwall, Montreal, Trois-Rivières, and Quebec City before draining into the Gulf of Saint Lawrence,... Continue reading "St Lawrence River and Seaway"
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March 20, 2007
Great Lakes, Canada
The Canadian government says they hope to clean up four of the 15 most polluted sites on the Canadian side of the Great Lakes by 2010. Under a proposed agreement, Ontario and Ottawa say they intend to remediate Jackfish Bay... Continue reading "Great Lakes, Canada"
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March 15, 2007
Great Lakes Water Levels
Water levels in Lake Michigan and Lake Huron dropped six times faster than average in February. The lakes' water level dropped 3 inches in February, according to the latest data from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. On average, the... Continue reading "Great Lakes Water Levels"
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March 12, 2007
Great Lakes Discharge
The House approved a proposal that would require study of wastewater treatment plants that discharge into the Great Lakes. The measure, introduced by Rep. Bart Stupak, Democrat of Michigan, was included in a larger bill on paying for wastewater and... Continue reading "Great Lakes Discharge"
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February 28, 2007
Great Lakes Safety (Video)
The U.S. Coast Guard wants to remind people that icy waterways aren't always safe. Great Lakes ice is unpredictable, dangerous, and that all ice is dangerous this time of year. The Coast Guard recommends you always check the weather... Continue reading "Great Lakes Safety (Video)"
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February 14, 2007
Great Lakes Water Resources Compact
Minnesota could become the first state to commit to a common set of standards protecting Great Lakes water under a measure backed in the state Senate. The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact would establish tighter standards for... Continue reading "Great Lakes Water Resources Compact"
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February 8, 2007
Great Lakes and Global Warming
Global warming could lower water levels in Lake Michigan and Lake Huron by 5 feet over the next century, according to new data generated for a United Nations study of climate change. Such a change would disrupt the Great Lakes... Continue reading "Great Lakes and Global Warming"
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January 5, 2007
Lake St. Clair
Mild temperatures around the U.S. keep lakes from freezing, here Lake St. Clair is free of any form of ice in early January. The smallest lake in the Great Lakes system, Lake St. Clair is not considered to be... Continue reading "Lake St. Clair"
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December 27, 2006
Lake Trout and Invasive Species
A half-century after lake trout were eliminated from Lake Michigan, there are subtle signs the fish are trying to make a comeback in the Great Lakes. Scientists recently discovered evidence that lake trout are reproducing on their own on a... Continue reading "Lake Trout and Invasive Species"
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December 26, 2006
Great Lakes IMAX Film
The Indiana Port Commission has agreed to co-sponsor a new IMAX film on the Great Lakes. Members of the commission, the governing board for the Ports of Indiana, agreed to participate in the project and will have the right to... Continue reading "Great Lakes IMAX Film"
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December 21, 2006
Iron Ore
Steel production is slowing, and demand for iron ore on the Great Lakes reacted accordingly in September. Shipments totaled 6 million net tons, a decrease of 4.8 percent compared to a year ago. Lack of adequate dredging affected the efficiency...Link to this article | Comments (0)
December 20, 2006
Great Lakes, Ancient Shores
Scientists hope to learn more about what the Great Lakes' shorelines looked like about 10,000 years ago. They explored a limestone land bridge that spanned 125 miles near Ontario, and an underwater forest of petrified trees in Lake Huron. The... Continue reading "Great Lakes, Ancient Shores"
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December 15, 2006
Great Lakes-St Lawrence Compact
A pact restricting the sale of water from Lake Erie and the four other Great Lakes passed the Ohio House 82-5. The measure, called the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact, deals with protecting Great Lakes water against... Continue reading "Great Lakes-St Lawrence Compact"
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December 12, 2006
Great Lakes Facts
• The five lakes cover an area nearly the size of the state of Oregon • The lakes' water could cover the contiguous states to a depth of 9 feet • The lakes provide roughly 67,000 jobs and $5 billion... Continue reading "Great Lakes Facts"
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November 30, 2006
Great Lakes Sewage
Urban sewage and toxic effluents that flow into the Great Lakes each year are threatening a critical ecosystem that supplies drinking water to millions of people. Even though municipalities in the Great Lakes region have spent vast sums of money... Continue reading "Great Lakes Sewage"
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November 21, 2006
Great Lakes, VHS
The federal government has modified restrictions on shipments of some live Great Lakes fish aimed at preventing the spread of a deadly aquatic virus. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service revised an emergency order it... Continue reading "Great Lakes, VHS"
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November 9, 2006
Great Lakes
The Great Lakes are not showing the same trends of overfishing that some claim could help lead to the demise of ocean seafood by as early as 2048. The major concerns in the Great Lakes are more ecological, the total... Continue reading "Great Lakes"
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November 8, 2006
Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia
Testing has confirmed a deadly disease among fish in Lake Erie following an outbreak of a the virus in Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. Relatively common in continental Europe and Japan, viral hemorrhagic septicemia causes internal bleeding in... Continue reading "Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia"
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November 1, 2006
Shipwreck Dive Video
Have you ever wanted to dive to a shipwreck in the Great Lakes? Watch the video and see what it is like.... Continue reading "Shipwreck Dive Video"
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October 25, 2006
Great Lakes Pact
A U.S.-Canadian pact to clean up the Great Lakes is over 30 years old and should be changed in favor of a more modern strategy, which officials from both nations agreed on. The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement of 1972... Continue reading "Great Lakes Pact"
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October 23, 2006
Great Lakes Sunrise
Sunrise over Lake Huron... Continue reading "Great Lakes Sunrise"
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October 11, 2006
Great Lakes Chemical Spills
The International Joint Commission released findings from a two-year study of accidental or intentional discharges into the lakes and the waterways connecting them. The study focused on the channel linking Lake Huron with Lake Erie, which includes the St. Clair... Continue reading "Great Lakes Chemical Spills"
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October 4, 2006
Sand Dunes
A Lake Michigan dune towered 30 stories high on the south side of Muskegon, Michigan. Formed over thousands of years, it disappeared in three decades as its sand was mined for industrial use in the mid-20th century. Michigan has regulated...Link to this article | Comments (0)
October 2, 2006
Spencer F. Baird
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently put into service the M/V Spencer F. Baird, a new vessel that will stock millions of native lake trout in the Great Lakes. The boat was christened and commissioned during a ceremony at... Continue reading "Spencer F. Baird"
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September 22, 2006
Coast Guard "safety zones"
Earlier this summer, the Coast Guard announced plans to create 34 permanent “safety zones” in the Great Lakes, where live fire shooting exercises will be conducted. In an effort to inform the public about what will happen at these zones,... Continue reading "Coast Guard "safety zones""
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September 21, 2006
Great Lakes Data
Researching the Great Lakes (Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, Lake Huron) check out this informative site where you can find wave, weather, hydrology, chemical, biological, ice and snow data. Loads of information for all of your educational... Continue reading "Great Lakes Data"
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EPA, Ballast Water
A federal court in California has ordered the U.S. EPA to regulate ballast water discharges from freighters, a ruling that has major implications for the Great Lakes shipping industry. Environmental groups sued the EPA in 1999 after the federal agency... Continue reading "EPA, Ballast Water"
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September 18, 2006
Great Lakes
Canada and the United States are launching a $17.5 million study to determine why water levels in the upper Great Lakes have declined over the past several years. The study by the International Joint Commission will consider a number of... Continue reading "Great Lakes"
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September 15, 2006
Great Lakes Cleanup
Officials from across the country sought support for an extensive Great Lakes cleanup plan pending in Congress, warning that the ecosystem could be facing a dangerous “tipping point” that could hinder future restoration. A House panel heard from government and... Continue reading "Great Lakes Cleanup"
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September 11, 2006
Sturgeon
Sturgeon are slowly starting to make a comeback in areas where water quality has improved around the Midwest. The fish, which are protected in just about every state where they're found, were overfished and nearly disappeared in the early 1900s...Link to this article | Comments (0)
September 10, 2006
Great Lakes Water Wars
A new book on the Great Lakes and the future of water in America, and around the world. The Great Lakes are the largest collection of fresh surface water on earth, and more than 40 million Americans and Canadians live... Continue reading "Great Lakes Water Wars"
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August 28, 2006
Great Lakes
Changing water levels in the Great Lakes this summer is causing problems for boaters, beachgoers and the shipping industry. Fewer boat docks are available in some places, and a few people are keeping their boats out of the water. Lake... Continue reading "Great Lakes"
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August 1, 2006
Great Lakes
A group conducting a three-year project aimed at trying to preserve the islands in the Great Lakes, are making stops around the Midwest to gain support. Members of the group are compiling information on the over 30,000 islands in the... Continue reading "Great Lakes"
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July 14, 2006
Great Lakes
A sustainability plan for the Great Lakes is moving through Congress, this after passage of a Senate bill to support fish and wildlife habitats in the region. The Senate has approved legislation that represents a portion of a larger restoration... Continue reading "Great Lakes"
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July 5, 2006
Great Lakes
Several ships have run aground on Michigan's Saginaw River this season, caught in shallow waters a few miles from Lake Huron. The river port is 13 feet deep in a passage that is supposed to be as high as 22... Continue reading "Great Lakes"
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June 30, 2006
Lake Huron
Lake Huron is one of the five Great Lakes of eastern North America and separates Michigan from Ontario. Georgian Bay, the easternmost part of Lake Huron, is entirely within Canada. Lake Huron's name comes from early French explorers who named...Link to this article | Comments (0)
June 27, 2006
Great Lakes
Lake Superior's ecosystems are running along fairly smoothly, while Lake Erie is having some problems. This may seem like nothing new, but a study of ecological indicators led by UMD's Natural Resources Research Institute has determined the best ways to... Continue reading "Great Lakes"
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