Healing Our Waters Coalition

No longer endangered, Lake Erie watersnake is thriving

Jeff Alexander — Wed, 09 May 2012 13:34:33 +0000

The Lake Erie watersnake recently became just the 23rd species to be taken off the federal Endangered Species list.

Found only on Lake Erie’s islands, the watersnake was driven to the brink of extinction in the 1990s by residents who considered it a nuisance. Residents killed thousands of the snakes and destroyed much of its habitat.

An intense effort to restore the watersnake’s habitat and educate the public about its role in the ecosystem of Lake Erie’s islands nurtured the snake’s population back to nearly 12,000 animals.

The Lake Erie watersnake population on the Lake Erie islands has recovered to nearly 12,000 animals.An intense public education campaign and habitat restoration efforts restored the watersnake's population to nearly 12,000 animals. That recovery allowed the watersnake to join the bald eagle, American alligator and peregrine falcon as imperiled species that recovered to the extent that they were no longer considered endangered under federal law.

Cleanup removed tons of toxins from Milwaukee River

Jeff Alexander — Thu, 03 May 2012 17:23:47 +0000

A $24 million dredging project that wrapped up earlier this year removed thousands of pounds of toxic PCBs and other pollutants from the Milwaukee River estuary.

The cleanup removed the largest source of PCBs in the river and will reduce contaminant levels in fish. It will also advance efforts to remove the Milwaukee River from the list of Great Lakes Areas of Concern.

The project was funded by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Read more here.

Lamprey barrier will help protect Lake Michigan fishery

Jeff Alexander — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 15:49:39 +0000

The government has upped its game in the eternal effort to reduce the number of sea lamprey in the Great Lakes.

State and federal agencies recently completed construction of a $1.6 million sea lamprey barrier in Trail Creek, a Lake Michigan tributary in northern Indiana. The barrier will prevent sea lamprey from spawning in the creek, which will reduce the number of these monstrous, blood-sucking invaders in Lake Michigan.

The barrier and other efforts to control sea lamprey are paramount to efforts to maintain a healthy Great Lakes fishery. Each sea lamprey can consume up to 40 pounds of fish during its time in the lakes.

Sea lamprey are the biggest threat to the Great Lakes Fishery. (Great Lakes Fishery Commission photo)

Sea lamprey nearly eliminated the lake trout and whitefish fisheries in all the Great Lakes in the first half of the 20th century. The formation of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission in 1954 launched a full-scale war on sea lamprey.

That effort has reduced the sea lamprey population by 90 percent in most ares of the lakes. But because there is no way yet to eliminate sea lamprey from the Great Lakes, efforts to keep their numbers in check will continue for the foreseeable future.

The Great Lakes Fishery Commission spends about $20 million annually to control sea lamprey populations. That’s a small price to pay when you consider that the sea lamprey, if left unchecked, could wipe out a Great Lakes fishery valued at $7 billion.

Go here to read more about the sea lamprey barrier in Trail Creek.

GLRI Funds Now Available: Up to $20 Million Under EPA Request for Applications

Celia Haven — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 18:22:27 +0000

The Environmental Protection Agency has announced that it is now accepting applications for funding under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative for 2012. Applications are due at 11:59 PM on May 24, 2012

EPA is requesting applications for projects in the following categories:

Toxic Substances
Invasive Species
Nearshore Health and Nonpoint Source Pollution
Accountability, Education, Monitoring, Evaluation, Communication, and Partnerships

EPA will host two webinars before the applications are due. To submit comments or questions for the webinar, send an email to glri2012rfa@epa.gov or use the comment form found at http://www.epa.gov/grtlakes/fund/contact.html.

Webinar 1: Thursday, May 3, 2012
2-4 pm Central Daylight Time
Register for the May 3 webinar
Webinar 2: Monday, May 14, 2012
10 am-12 pm Central Daylight Time
Register for the May 14 webinar

More information about the GLRI Request for Applications can be found here: http://www.epa.gov/grtlakes/fund/2012rfa01/

More information about the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative can be found here: greatlakesrestoration.us

New Bills to Confront Asian Carp Threat Introduced in Congress

Jordan Lubetkin — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 20:03:14 +0000

The U.S. Senate and House today introduced new bills aimed at combating the spread of Asian carp into the Great Lakes. The legislation directs the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to complete within 18 months its study on how to separate the Great Lakes and Mississippi watersheds to block the advance of the non-native Asian carp. The voracious fish are within miles of Lake Michigan. Scientists fear that an Asian carp invasion into the Great Lakes could devastate the region’s $7 billion sport and commercial fishery.

The legislation, the Stop Invasive Species Act of 2012 (S. 2317 and H.R. 4406), was introduced by U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) Sens. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Carl Levin (D-Mich.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), Kirsten Gillibrand D-N.Y.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Al Franken (D-Minn.); and Reps. Dave Camp (R-Mich.) and Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.).

The legislation updates the Stop Asian Carp Act of 2011, which was introduced last year.

Responding to the legislation, Jeff Skelding, campaign director of the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition, said:

“We applaud Sens. Stabenow, Durbin, Brown, and Portman, Reps. Camp and Slaughter and their Democratic and Republican colleagues for introducing this important bill. Beating back Asian carp is essential to restoring the Great Lakes. Over the last three years, the U.S. Congress and President Obama have made historic investments to restore the Lakes. We’re seeing results, but there’s more work to do. Allowing Asian carp to take hold in the Lakes will set back restoration efforts—which is why confronting the Asian carp crisis needs to remain a top priority for all public officials. We look forward to working with Congress to pass this vital legislation.”

The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition consists of more than 120 environmental, conservation, outdoor recreation organizations, zoos, aquariums and museums representing millions of people, whose common goal is to restore and protect the Great Lakes.

Habitat work restoring Lake Superior headwaters

Jeff Alexander — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 00:03:32 +0000

A nearly $1 million project in the headwaters of Lake Superior is transforming a Great Lakes Area of Concern into a haven for fish, birds and outdoors enthusiasts.

Restoration of fish and wildlife habitat in Hog Island Inlet and Newton Creek is a followup to a $6.3 million project that dredged 50,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediment from the Wisconsin waters. The habitat work is funded by a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The habitat work will improve ecosystem function in the headwaters of Lake Superior. Go here to learn more about the project.

Call for Presentations and Field Trips for the 8th Annual Great Lakes Restoration Conference

Celia Haven — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 15:59:44 +0000

The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition is issuing a request for presentations and a request for field trips from interested applicants who would like to lead a workshop session or organize a field trip at HOW’s 8th Annual Great Lakes Restoration Conference in Cleveland, Ohio’s Renaissance Hotel, September 11-13.

Deadline for submissions: May 1, 2012
Send submissions, questions to Celia Haven at havenc@nwf.org

Download the 2012 HOW Conference Presentation/Field Trip REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Download the 2012 HOW Conference Presentation APPLICATION

Download the 2012 HOW Conference Field Trip APPLICATION
Each year the Coalition’s Great Lakes Restoration Conference brings together a diverse group of more than 350 people from throughout the Great Lakes region. The conference provides a 3-day forum for participants to learn about important Great Lakes restoration issues. In 2012, the Coalition is holding its conference in collaboration with other state, federal and advocacy partners as part of Great Lakes Week.

The Coalition is looking for engaging and compelling proposals in two categories:

1. Field Trips: The Cleveland and Lake Erie Connection

The Coalition is seeking fun, educational, inspiring and creative proposals for field trips in the greater Cleveland area to highlight restoration success stories; environmental challenges; and cultural landmarks.

2. Presentations on Great Lakes Restoration Issue Areas

The HOW Coalition is seeking innovative and creative proposals for presentations at the conference under the following categories:

A) Restoration success – Chronicling Restoration Projects that Deliver Results

A discussion of restoration success stories funded through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative or other state or federal funding sources. This category can also include projects that delve in to the economic benefit of restoration projects.

B) National Great Lakes Policy Issues – beyond the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

An examination of critical policy issues outside of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative that impact the Lakes. Category could include issues around Asian carp, aging infrastructure, environmental justice, agriculture conservation programs, and the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.

C) Grassroots Action that makes a Difference

A look at the compelling stories and strategies used to help win local, state, regional or national conservation victories. Groups with a focus on grassroots action specific to Lake Erie are especially encouraged to apply.

D) Science and the State of the Great Lakes

Explore cutting edge research on existing or emerging threats to the Great Lakes—and what solutions are needed. Particular attention will be given to applications with a focus on Lake Erie.

Deadline for submissions: May 1, 2012
Send submissions, questions to Celia Haven at havenc@nwf.org

Video: Lake Erie Waterkeeper discusses algae crisis

Jeff Alexander — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 18:38:55 +0000

Western Lake Erie Waterkeeper Sandy Bihn is on the front line of efforts to solve Lake Erie’s toxic algae crisis. In this video, Bihn discusses what’s causing the algae crisis and what could be done to solve this problem.

This algae crisis is currently affecting only Lake Erie but everyone in the Great Lakes basin should be concerned.

The reason: What happens in Lake Erie rarely stays in Lake Erie. The lake is a bellwether of changes that could affect other areas of the Great Lakes.

Ohio residents fear repeat of Lake Erie algae bloom

Jeff Alexander — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 17:46:06 +0000

One year after a toxic algae bloom covered 10 percent of Lake Erie, Ohio residents are on edge about what this summer might bring the state’s most popular tourist attraction.

The 2011 algae bloom, which covered 990 square miles of Lake Erie’s surface area, was the largest in the lake’s history. Experts have said the algae bloom was fueled by excessive amounts of phosphorus washing into the lake from farms, urban areas and municipal sewage treatment facilities; stronger storms driven by climate change and invasive mussels also contribute to the problem. (See video of it here)
Elevated concentrations of phosphorus in Lake Erie, coupled with an unusually warm spring, has anglers, tourism officials and scientists fearing this could be another bad year for toxic algae blooms.

This satellite image shows the 2011 toxic algae bloom in Lake Erie. At its peak, the bloom cover 990 square miles of the lake's surface area.

“There’s a lot of phosphorus in the water, a lot more than there should be. It’s not good news,” said Roger Knight, Lake Erie fisheries program manager at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

Knight said the algae blooms are hurting walleye and perch populations in the western and central basins of Lake Erie, but there is no evidence toxins in the algae are contaminating fish. Perch and walleye are the backbone of the lake’s multibillion dollar fishery. (Watch a video of Lake Erie angler discussing algae crisis)

“Pea soup” water threatens fishing, tourism, jobs
The unsightly algae blooms, which make the lake look like pea soup and are large enough to be seen from space, scare away anglers and tourists. Lake Erie accounts for $10 billion annually in tourism spending, one-quarter of all tourism spending in Ohio; the lake also supports 114,000 jobs in Ohio and $2.8 billion annually in wages, according to tourism officials.

Toxic algae blooms coated parts of Lake Erie last year with a fluorescent green scum. The algae is unsightly and poses health threats to humans and animals.

“All of those things are at risk if we don’t have a healthy Lake Erie,” said Larry Fletcher, executive director of Lake Erie Shores & Islands West tourism organization. “Our message isn’t beware of the lake: We have this challenge with algae but the fishing is still good.”

Algae blooms stigmatize Lake Erie … again
The algae blooms that began surfacing in the mid 1990s are similar to those plagued the in the 1960s and ’70s, before Congress enacted laws that curbed water pollution.

Excessive amounts of phosphorus causes rampant algae growth, which leads to surface blooms and contributes to biological dead zones beneath the surface. The toxic algae poses health threats to humans and animals who come in contact with it. (Learn more about how foreign mussels and excessive phosphorus are disrupting the Great Lakes)

Sandy Bihn, the Western Lake Erie Waterkeeper, said she fears the latest algae blooms will resurrect the stigma that plagued Lake Erie in the 1960 and ’70s. Back then, some media outlets reported — incorrectly — that Lake Erie was dead. Comedian Johnny Carson said the lake was “the place fish go to die.”

Lake Erie recovered in the 1980s and supported one of the world’s best walleye fisheries. The lake still supports more fish than the other four Great Lakes combined.

“Lake Erie wasn’t dead in the 1960s and it’s not dying now,” Bihn said. “The lake is sick and we need to heal it.”

We’re all part of the problem
Solving Lake Erie’s algae crisis will require changes by farmers and urban residents who use phosphorus to fertilize crops and feed lawns and golf courses. Bihn said Detroit’s massive wastewater treatment facility also must clean up its act.

Detroit discharges tens of billions of gallons of raw and partially treated sewage each year into the Detroit River, which is the major source of water in Lake Erie. Detroit in recent years has also dumped sewage sludge into the Detroit and Rouge rivers, Bihn said. (Learn how curbing sewer overflows in the Great Lakes could create jobs)

Detroit’s sewage treatment facility has been in violation of the federal Clean Water Act for most of the past three decades, according to government data.

“Detroit officials say they can’t afford to fix their sewage treatment equipment, but we can’t afford to have their sewage in our lake,” Bihn said.

HOW Provides Testimony to House Appropriations Subcommittee

Celia Haven — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 16:06:47 +0000

Testimony provided today by the Healing Our Waters – Great Lakes Coalition to the House Committee on Appropriations’ Subcommittee on the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies asked that the subcommittee supports $300 million in federal funding for the GLRI in Fiscal Year 2013.

The testimony outlines the economic benefits that GLRI funding provide the Great Lakes region and shows how current investments are already producing results. It also provides recommendations for improving implementation of the GLRI, by: developing a science plan that augments the GLRI Action Plan, avoiding the use of GLRI funds for base-level agency funding, and creating a formal advisory committee to make decisions on future GLRI priorities.

The Subcommittee on the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies consists of Reps. Michael K. Simpson (R-ID), Jerry Lewis (R-CA), Ken Calvert (R-CA), Steven C. LaTourette (R-OH), Tom Cole (R-OK), Jeff Flake (R-AZ), Cynthia M. Lummis (R-WY), James P. Moran (D-VA), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Maurice D. Hinchey (D-NY), and José E. Serrano (D-NY).

Testimony by Healing Our Waters©-Great Lakes Coalition to the House Committee on Appropriations’ Subcommittee on the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies