GLIN

The classic look and style of wooden boats will be on display at the Presque Isle Wooden Boat Show next week in Northern Michigan. The show will take place June 15-16. Read the full story by The Alpena News. View the full article

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been waiting three decades to build a new shipping lock in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. President Donald Trump gave those who support a new lock a glimmer of hope during a rally in Macomb County in April. Read and view the full story by WDET-Detroit, MI. View the full article

Library | The Great Lakes Air Deposition (GLAD) program, which concluded in 2013, was coordinated by the Great Lakes Commission to address the deposition of toxic pollutants to the waters of the Great Lakes region, to promote efforts to reduce toxic pollutant depositions, and to reduce the resulting adverse impacts on human and wildlife health. For more than two decades the program supported scientific research, and engaged scientific leaders throughout the region to better understand the sources of toxic pollutants, their transport in the environment, their deposition to the Great Lakes basin, and the resulting impacts on human health and the Great Lakes ecosystem. Reducing input of toxic substances to the lakes and the mitigation of impacts from these substances on human health and wildlife are major priorities for restoration efforts in the Great Lakes basin. Of greatest concern are those chemicals that are persistent in the environment, bioaccumulate as they move up the food chain, and are toxic to humans or wildlife (referred to as persistent bioaccumulative toxics or PBTs). Many such chemicals enter Great Lakes waters in substantial amounts through deposition from the atmosphere. Despite much progress, further scientific assessment and technological developments are needed to enable effective management of the problems posed by deposition of toxic substances to the region’s waters. Toward this end, the GLAD Program supported scientific projects to identify and quantify the sources, environmental transport processes, deposition rates, fate and impacts of these chemicals. The program operated with the goal of assisting the Great Lakes states and their partners in forming scientifically sound policies regarding this issue, including regulatory and non-regulatory pollution control and prevention programs. Atmospheric Toxics Webinar Series The Great Lakes Commission, under funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and in cooperation with the eight Great Lakes states, awarded research grants dealing with atmospheric toxic pollutants affecting the Great Lakes and their tributary watersheds. Thirty-five research grants were awarded addressing a diverse array of research concerning atmospheric pollutants and their movement within the basin, and the associated impacts of numerous persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT) chemicals on wildlife and human health. A substantial amount of new scientific knowledge has been attained through these research activities. The GLAD Atmospheric Toxics Webinar Series is intended to provide a forum for GLAD Principal Investigators (PIs) to disseminate information on their respective research activities, including specific findings, recommended follow-up actions, and potential public policy actions to foster elimination of PBT threats to the region. Topics: Mercury research synthesis Human and wildlife contaminant exposure & effects Contaminant fate, transport, and loadings to the Great Lakes Emissions from outdoor wood fired boilers & agricultural plastic incineration Emerging contaminants Webinars: 1. Wednesday, October 13, 2010 Great Lakes Mercury Research Synthesis Great Lakes Mercury Research Synthesis (David Evers, Ph.D.) – Presentation [pdf | 6 mb] Mercury fate, transport, depositional patterns, and major source characterization in the Great Lakes region (Kevin Crist, Ph.D.) – Presentation [pdf | 3 mb] 2. Tuesday, October 26, 2010 Sources of Brominated Flame Retardants (BFRs) BFR emission rates in non-residential buildings (Stuart Batterman, Ph.D.) – Presentation [pdf | 3 mb] BFRs – from source to lake (Miriam Diamond, Ph.D.) – Presentation [pdf | 3 mb] 3. Wednesday, November 17, 2010 Multimedia monitoring Development and evaluation of passive samplers for PBT monitoring (Thomas Holsen, Ph.D.) – Presentation [pdf | 1.7 mb] Mercury dynamics in urban environments (Chris Eckley, Ph.D.) – Presentation [pdf | 2.5 mb] 4. Tuesday, November 30, 2010 Multimedia models Internet-based multimedia chemical fate model for the Great Lakes ecosystem (Mario Citra, Ph.D.) – Presentation [pdf | 0.8 mb] Multimedia model to support the assessment and management of chemicals of emerging concern (Joseph DePinto, Ph.D.) – Presentation [pdf | 3 mb] 5. Wednesday, December 15, 2010 PBT measurement techniques Measurement techniques and modeling of PBT transport in Lake Superior basin (Judith Perlinger, Ph.D.) – Presentation [pdf | 4.1 mb] An Intercomparison Study: Mercury dry deposition measurement techniques (Frank Marsik, Ph.D. & Thomas Holsen, Ph.D.) – Presentation [pdf | 6.1 mb] 6. Thursday, February 3, 2011 Fate of mercury in the Great Lakes environments Bioavailability of atmospheric mercury in the surface waters of the Great Lakes (Christopher Babiarz, Ph.D.) – Presentation [pdf | 1.4 mb] Wetland mercury methylation declines rapidly following reductions in sulfate deposition (Daniel Engstrom, Ph.D.) – Presentation [pdf | 2.8 mb] 7. Tuesday, March 15, 2011 PBT effects on humans & wildlife Assessment of health outcomes among a cohort of frequent and infrequent consumers of Great Lakes Fish (Lynda Knobeloch, Ph.D.) – Presentation [pdf | 3.1 mb] Neurochemical biomarkers to assess effects of toxic substances on wildlife in the Great Lakes region (Nil Basu, Ph.D.) – Presentation [pdf | 3.9 mb] 8. Thursday, March 31, 2011 Emissions from outdoor wood fired boilers and agricultural plastic incineration Characterization of toxic air emissions from outdoor wood fired boilers and agricultural plastic incineration (Sukh Sidhu, Ph.D.) – Presentation [pdf | 1.6 mb] The Pesticide Stewardship Alliance (TPSA) Meeting Update (Lois Levitan, Ph.D.) – Presentation [pdf | 3.2 mb] Return to the Library main page CONTACT If you need help finding project information, or materials from inactive or archived products that are not available in the Library, please email Laura Andrews, [email protected]. Library by Subject About the Commission Advisor Air Quality Aquatic Invasive Species Areas of Concern Data and Monitoring Economy and Transportation Energy Habitat and Coastal Land Use Maps Newsletters News and Announcements Policy and Advocacy Ports and Navigation Regional Agreements Soil Erosion and Dredging Tourism and Recreation Water Quality Water Quantity and Use View the full article

News Ann Arbor, Mich. – The Great Lakes Commission (GLC) today announced the launch of ErieStat, a website that tracks progress toward the binational shared goal of reducing phosphorus in Lake Erie by 40 percent, and reports how much of the nutrient is entering the lake from select rivers. Phosphorus is essential for plant growth but also causes chronic problems in the lake, including harmful algal blooms that have plagued western Lake Erie for years and threaten the drinking water supply for 11 million people in the U.S. and Canada. The website launch was announced in Chicago at a meeting of leaders from the U.S. and Canada that assemble twice yearly to share progress on the binational Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. “Our Great Lakes Commission team works hard to help state, provincial and federal agencies communicate with one voice for the benefit of our Great Lakes. ErieStat is a great example of the promise of Blue Accounting to connect data to decision-makers,” said John Linc Stine, chair of the GLC and commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Stine noted that ErieStat demonstrates just one possible application of Blue Accounting, which holds enormous potential for additional measures of progress toward shared goals for the Great Lakes and providing key insights into Great Lakes issues. “ErieStat allows users – which can range from the public to elected officials – to really understand the state of the lake and the binational work that is going into meeting phosphorus reduction goals,” said Jon W. Allan, director of Michigan’s Office of the Great Lakes, and immediate past chair of the GLC. “ErieStat delivers the information we need about phosphorus reduction efforts in Lake Erie in one place.” ErieStat is a collaboration with state, provincial, and both federal governments to highlight key strategies for meeting phosphorus reduction targets. ErieStat features allow users to view seasonal and total phosphorus loads over time and at different scales. The site will be continuously updated and improved as new data and information become available. Future phases will track investments made to implement the strategies. “As we work on both sides of the border toward a healthier Lake Erie, it is critical we have all the information we need to understand if we are making progress,” said Sharon Jackson, deputy general counsel at the Office of the Governor of Indiana and vice-chair of the GLC. More information is available at www.eriestat.org. ErieStat is supported with funding from the Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation and the Joyce Foundation. GLC and the Nature Conservancy co-lead Blue Accounting, in partnership with federal, state, provincial, local and private sector organizations. Blue Accounting receives funding support from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, the Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation, the Joyce Foundation, and the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation. ← Previous news release The Great Lakes Commission, led by chairman John Linc Stine, commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, is an interstate compact agency established under state and U.S. federal law and dedicated to promoting a strong economy, healthy environment and high quality of life for the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region and its residents. The Commission consists of governors’ appointees, state legislators, and agency officials from its eight member states. Associate membership for Ontario and Québec was established through the signing of a “Declaration of Partnership.” The Commission maintains a formal Observer program involving U.S. and Canadian federal agencies, tribal authorities, binational agencies and other regional interests. The Commission offices are located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Learn more at www.glc.org. Contact For questions or media inquiries, please contact Beth Wanamaker, [email protected]. Recent GLC News Great Lakes Commission releases ErieStat to support Lake Erie phosphorus reduction efforts Great Lakes Commission applauds inclusion of Great Lakes provisions in water infrastructure legislation NOAA, Great Lakes Commission habitat restoration efforts showcased in new video at 2018 AOC Conference Great Lakes Commission urges Congress to fully fund the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative in FY 2019 Upcoming GLC Events 2018 Great Lakes Commission Annual Meeting October 2 - October 3 View GLC Calendar > View the full article

Today, the National Park Service will announce its final decision and outline of a plan to reintroduce wolves to Isle Royale, a long awaited turning point in re-establishing the balance between the key predator and moose on Lake Superior’s largest wilderness island. Read the full story by the Star Tribune. View the full article

In the weeks since three Michigan congressmen secured a nearly $1 billion promise to expand the critical Soo Locks from President Trump, there has been a surge of activity that many believe will soon produce the go-ahead for adding capacity to the locks. Read the full story by the Detroit News. View the full article

Harmful algal blooms, which are showing up in increasingly frequency across New York, can be riskier for dogs than humans because dogs are most susceptible to jump into algae-filled lakes and they lick their fur after being in the water. Read the full story by the Watertown Daily Times. View the full article

The good walleye year for Lake Erie can be attributed to the winters of 2014 and 2015, which had lake freezes last longer than usual and helped with a late spawning season. Read the full story by WOIO-TV – Cleveland, OH. View the full article

The National Parks Conservation Association is arguing a proposed consent decree among the U.S. Department of Justice, the state of Indiana and U.S. Steel over a spill of toxic hexavalent chromium into Lake Michigan last April does not go far enough to protect the lake or the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Read the full story by the Northwest Indiana Times. View the full article

In Michigan, the Cuyahoga and Mississagi were Grand Haven piers’ first and second Canadian visitors of the season. Both vessels were built as part of the “Maritimer class” in the 1940s. Read the full story by the Grand Haven Tribune. View the full article

A team of archeologists from Texas A&M University are combing through the remains of a shipwreck in downtown Toronto, hoping to connect the dots on this mysterious piece of local history. Read the full story by the Toronto Star. View the full article

The House of Representatives passed a bill that authorizes spending for water projects and requires the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to release a long-awaited report on keeping Asian carp out of the Great Lakes. The bill also gives the Army Corps a two-year window to complete plans for disposal of the sediments it dredges to keep ports and waterways navigable. Read the full story by the Cleveland Plain Dealer. View the full article

Scientists will compare mussels from Lake Huron’s Thunder Bay Island, a clean reference site, with those collected in very contaminated sites in the Great Lakes basin. Read the full story by the Alpena News. View the full article

A team of nautical archaeologists has come to Toronto, Ontario, to examine the remains of a 19th century cargo ship unearthed during the construction of a downtown condo two years ago. Read the full story by CBC News. View the full article

Restoration on a historic former Coast Guard station in Cleveland, Ohio, began in 2016, and on June 5, the station’s doors opened to the media to provide a look at the progress being made. Read the full story by WOIO – Cleveland, OH. View the full article

High water levels, storms and a lack of freezing during the winter have led to severe erosion along the Lake Erie shoreline, leading some owners in Dunville, Ontario, to lose as much as 30 feet of their backyards. Now, six residents have been ordered to evacuate their homes. Read the full story by CHCH-TV – Hamilton, ON. View the full article

Cleveland Heights, Ohio, residents are invited to stencil the words “Lake Erie Starts Here” above storm drains in the city. The project is part of an initiative to reduce contaminants that are dumped into the Doan Brook and, subsequently, flushed into Lake Erie. Read the full story by the Cleveland Heights Patch. View the full article

They’re everywhere. Swarms of mayflies and midges are covering the Lake Erie shoreline. But the good news is that they’re a great indicator of a healthy lake. Read the full story by WKYC – Cleveland, OH. View the full article

Foam from the Rouge River below the Rockford Dam in northern Kent County, Michigan, has shown extremely high levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The foam tested at 4,200 times the federal advisory level for PFAS in drinking water. Read the full story by MLive. View the full article

A pair of storms eroded rock, shifted earth and flipped boardwalk pieces along the Lake Superior shoreline. Now, the city of Duluth, Minnsota, is looking at a $9 million price tag to make the necessary repairs. Read the full story by Pine and Lakes Echo Journal. View the full article

Four men are on a four-month mission to navigate the waters of Lake Superior to raise awareness of the importance of conserving Great Lakes waters and landscapes. Read the full story by 9 & 10 News. View the full article

Some Lake Ontario shoreline residents are perturbed by the removal of an engineer from an international board that oversees lake-level regulation. He was a critic of the lake-level rules known as Plan 2014, and the longest-serving American on the 10-member panel. Read the full story by Democrat & Chronicle. View the full article

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality says deficiencies in the city of Flint’s water system that were discovered during an August 2017 sanitary survey place the city in violation of the Safe Drinking Water Act. Read the full story by WEYI-TV – Flint, MI. View the full article

The Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation is challenging the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality’s recent permit approval that will allow Nestle to take 400 gallons per minute of water a day from a well near Evart and truck it to a bottling plant located 40 miles away. Read the full story by Great Lakes Now. View the full article

Waves crashing over breakwalls, properties flooding, shoreline erosion and boat docks being beaten to a pulp are becoming the new norm this spring as Lake Michigan-Huron levels surrounding Essex County have reached their highest since 1997. Read the full story by the Windsor Star. View the full article