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AdvocacyAuthorsDrinking WaterEquity and Environmental JusticeJames ProffittLake ErieMunicipalitiesNewsOhioPolicyPolitics, Policy, Environmental JusticeWaterfront Development
“Rights of Nature” initiative for Lake Erie stalls in Toledo
An effort by residents of a Midwest city to bestow Lake Erie, its tributaries and all its watersheds some of the same rights as American citizens has faltered for a third time. If approved, organizers say it would be the first use of Rights of Nature to protect a specific ecosystem…
00James Proffitt, Great Lakes Now -
A Great Lakes Moment from John Hartig
- by John HartigThe Buffalo River was viewed as a working river that supported industry and commerce, and water pollution then was viewed as just part of the cost of doing business. At that time, people cared most about jobs and providing for their families, with little concern for the environment and its pollution.
There is, perhaps, no more poignant example of this societal indifference to water pollution than when the Buffalo River caught on fire 50 years agoJohn Hartig -
Great Lakes Now specials selected for international film festival
- by Sandra SvobodaThree Great Lakes Now specials will be among the 60 films screened at the Thunder Bay International Film Festival in late January.
Sandra Svoboda -
Increased National Park visitation in Great Lakes Region
- by Jack NissenYou know those “Pure Michigan” ads? With the soft guitar strumming overlaid by actor Tim Allen’s blue-collar voice? Some Michigan residents make fun of them and say they’re cheesy. But it turns out they might be doing their job of drawing more people to enjoy Michigan as well as other Great Lakes States.
Jack Nissen -
Lingering live algae cells on Lake Erie floor jumpstart harmful algal blooms
Legacy cyanobacteria cells (also called bluegreen algae), which can produce the strain of microcystis responsible for microcystin toxins during late-summer as well as harmful algal blooms (HABS) in autumn on Lake Erie, may be helping jump-start the blooms or otherwise contribute to rapid development of blooms, without respect to current rain events or nutrient run-off from agricultural fields, according to a recently released study.
James Proffitt, Great Lakes Now -
Great Lakes mayors and First Nation group at odds with governors on water diversions
Tension between Great Lakes governors, Canadian premiers and a bi-national group of mayors escalated last week when representatives of the governors and premiers rejected a proposal from the mayors to modify a proposed process on how the region addresses water diversion requests.
Gary Wilson, Great Lakes Now -
AuthorsEnbridge Line 5 and Other PipelinesGary WilsonLake HuronLake MichiganMary Ellen GeistMichiganNewsPolitics, Policy, Environmental JusticeThe States
Michigan Senate passes bills with major impact on the Great Lakes
- by GLN EditorGOP leaders and Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder are trying to finalize the Line 5 Tunnel agreement before Gov.-elect Gretchen Whitmer, takes office in January.
GLN Editor -
Chicago water agency greenlights road in pristine suburban space
The Chicago Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD), recently voted to allow a road to be built through Isabella Woods that would serve the needs of private real estate development.
Gary Wilson, Great Lakes Now -
AuthorsDrinking WaterEnbridge Line 5 and Other PipelinesEnergy, Clean Energy, Ethanol and FrackingMary Ellen GeistNewsVideo
Full Senate vote on Enbridge Line 5 tunnel proposal delayed
- by Mary Ellen GeistA Senate committee has approved a proposal that would move forward Gov. Rick Snyder’s agreement with Enbridge for a tunnel to encase the Line 5 pipeline beneath the Straits of Mackinac.
Mary Ellen Geist -
AgricultureAuthorsDrinking WaterJames ProffittLake ErieNewsPolitics, Policy, Environmental JusticeProtect
Another blow in the fight to save Lake Erie
Ohio Gov. John Kasich’s effort to protect the future of Lake Erie from harmful algal blooms was dealt a serious blow when the Ohio Soil and Water Conservation Commission declined to move forward in designating eight watersheds in northwest Ohio as “distressed.”
James Proffitt, Great Lakes Now