[dailynews] June 1, 2012

Great Lakes Daily News: June 1, 2012
For links to these stories and more, visit http://www.great-lakes.net/news/


Is wind energy viable in the Upper Peninsula?
-------------------------------------------------
The Lake Superior Watershed Partnership recently completed a year-long study 
on the winds in the Upper Peninsula, and the results show that in many 
areas, there is sufficient wind to consider wind power. Source: WLUC TV6 
(6/1)


WNY officials oppose Lake Ontario proposal
-------------------------------------------------
Citing both erosion and devastating effects to its fishing and tourism 
business, county legislators from Niagara and Orleans are opposing an 
International Joint Commission plan to raise water levels in Lake Ontario. 
Source: Buffalo Business First (6/1)


EPA creates Great Lakes protection advisory board
-------------------------------------------------
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is creating a board to advise 
federal agencies carrying out two wide-ranging programs to protect the Great 
Lakes, EPA chief Lisa Jackson said Thursday. Source: The Associated Press 
(5/31)


Lawmaker leads push for greater regulation of imported species
-------------------------------------------------
An East Coast lawmaker is leading a bipartisan push to increase federal 
import regulations on potentially dangerous species, a move conservation 
groups say could make it much more difficult for the next Asian carp to 
colonize U.S. waters. Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (5/31)


Feds leave small harbors dredging for cash
-------------------------------------------------
Harbor communities around Michigan and the Great Lakes  are dealing with a 
federal cash crunch. No federal funds are being allocated to dredge 
recreational harbors traditionally dredged by the U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers, and nearly all smaller commercial harbors handling less than 1 
million tons annually are similarly unfunded for dredging needs. Source: 
Bridge Magazine (5/31)


State approves mineral exploration on 22,000 acres near Ely
-------------------------------------------------
After a year of intense and passionate debate, top state leaders on Thursday 
moved unanimously to allow companies to drill underground for copper, nickel 
and other precious minerals on the 22,000 acres of public-private woodland 
stretching from Ely to Lake Superior. Source: Star Tribune (5/31)


Wisconsin DNR helping to fight large Michigan forest fire
-------------------------------------------------
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources personnel and equipment have been 
dispatched to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to help fight a large forest 
fire in Luce County. The Duck Lake fire has consumed more than 21,000 acres 
and has been about 57 percent contained, according to news accounts from 
Michigan. Source: Madison Capital Times (5/31)


COMMENTARY: Nearshore ecosystem at risk by Ohio compromise on Great Lakes 
water compact
-------------------------------------------------
Eight Great Lakes states are finally about to manage water withdrawals from 
Lakes Michigan, Huron, Superior, Erie and Ontario collectively as a region. 
Source: Great Lakes Echo (5/31)


COMMENTARY: We need to work to keep Lake Erie an important resource
-------------------------------------------------
With summer upon us, many Ohioans soon will head to our state's lakes and 
rivers for a well-deserved vacation. Our biggest body of water and the most 
popular location for Ohio fishing, boating and other recreation is Lake 
Erie. Source: Lancaster Eagle Gazette (5/31)


EDITORIAL: Canadians join fight against invasive species
-------------------------------------------------
The fight to prevent the Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes is not 
just a regional fight or even just a U.S. fight. Canada showed that this 
week by wading into the battle with a $17 million commitment to preventing 
the invasive species from entering the lakes. Source: Milwaukee Journal 
Sentinel (5/30)


Winter ship work at Muskegon's Mart Dock shows promise for a new maritime 
business opportunity
-------------------------------------------------
Work by Muskegon-area contractors this winter on the Mart Dock refurbishing 
the Sand Products' tugboat, the Bradshaw McKee, could lead to a new 
commercial ship repair business. The ship work at the Mart Dock goes 
hand-in-hand with the West Michigan Port Operators efforts to increase 
maritime activity in Muskegon and other West Michigan ports. Source: 
Muskegon Chronicle (5/30)


Did you miss a day of Daily News? Remember to use our searchable story 
archive at http://www.great-lakes.net/news/inthenews.html