Great Lakes Blogger

Buck Pass, Part 2

A lot of noise has been made in recent weeks about President Barack Obama's $5 billion Great Lakes restoration plan, but nobody in the federal government right now is willing to spend a penny so necessary maintenance can be done on the Asian carp barrier built to keep the jumbo jumping fish from spilling into Lake Michigan.

Please. Someone do something about this.

Shaq, LeBron and the Great Lakes

Is the ocean task force of any value to the Great Lakes?  This writer thinks maybe. He interviewed a representative of the NRDC who is hopeful.

"For the first time ever, we have the chance to have an ecosystem-based management policy, so that makes sense from an environmental perspective," Cmar said.

He goes onto say that this might produce a policy that sees the Great Lakes and oceans as interrelated in terms of climate change.

It's dubious that we need an ocean council to help the Great Lakes. We do need a national oceans policy -- but that can be accomplished by Presidential or Congressional edict. Same for a Great Lakes policy that reflects ecosystem values.

Quit Carping, Start Acting

It's stuff like this that gives government a bad name.  If the Corps can't find the money to maintain the carp barrier, it should get no money from the new Great Lakes restoration initiative -- and it's scheduled to get tens of millions.

It's a classic bureaucratic strategy -- designed to force the hand of Congress or EPA.

Tracking $475 Million For the Great Lakes

Thanks to President Obama, who keeps his promises, $475 million in new federal money is going to Great Lakes restoration in the next 11 months. Now it's time for a multitude of federal agencies, the states, cities, nonprofit organizations and others to do their part. The public should be watching. Here's the public proposed plan floated earlier this year -- a good scorecard for now.

Canadians on clean air

The government of Canada is all for clean transboundary air; unless the shipping industry complains.

Download Embassy

Canadians on clean air

The government of Canada is all for clean transboundary air; unless the shipping industry complains.

Download Embassy

Green Infrastructure

The same federal legislation that approved $475 million in new funding for the Great Lakes included this little feature:

To the extent there are sufficient eligible project applications, not less than 20 percent of the funds made available under this title to each State for Clean Water State Revolving Fund capitalization grants and not less than 20 percent of the funds made available under this title to each State for Drinking Water State Revolving Fund capitalization grants shall be used by the State for projects to address green infrastructure, water efficiency, or energy efficiency improvements.

The Great Lakes states depend on clean water loan funds for sewage projects, so this should have a big effect here.

For an example of what green infrastructure for water pollution reduction might mean, go here.

Michigan roundup

The wetland law was weakened but saved, but the Legislature at last check had not OK'd the money to enforce it for 2010. (The fiscal year began October 1). Layoff notices are still pending for wetlands staff but the effective date has been delayed.

As the implications of Gov. Granholm's executive order 2009-45 merging the state DNR and DEQ become clearer, the wisdom of her decision to take control of the Director's appointment is increasingly questionable. It's generating political resistance from conservationists and the opposing party, for dubious benefit. When a commission appoints the director and maintains some independence, the Governor has a buffer. 

It was 80 years ago (1929) that the Michigan Legislature gave a commission the DNR director appointment power, and there was a reason -- the alternative had led to ruined forestlands and depleted fish and game, as powerful timber barons and land grabbers rolled over governors and legislators.

The same issue is stewing in Wisconsin.

Great Lakes News from the Toledo Blade

Ace reporter Tom Henry has it:

What the new federal Great Lakes money might mean locally.

What Ohio businesses are saying and thinking about the proposed Waukesha, WI diversion of Great Lakes water.

Water for Jobs?

That's an idea Milwaukee is (literally) floating. And while it's good to use the inherent competitive advantage of Great Lakes water as a lure for businesses who return it to the Lakes, one has to wonder whether devaluing it with deep discounts in public pricing is wise policy. But Jim Rowen, whom I respect, says there is much to applaud.