[dailynews] October 19, 2012

Great Lakes Daily News: October 19, 2012
For links to these stories and more, visit http://www.great-lakes.net/news/


Dry summer helps push Lake Michigan water levels to near-record lows
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Recent U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports found that water levels on Lake 
Michigan and Lake Huron touched the all-time low for October one day last 
week and are likely to recede to record levels in the coming months. Source: 
Chicago Tribune (10/19)


Boats running aground as lake levels head lower
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After a 12-month stretch of less-than-normal rain and snow in the Great 
Lakes basin, marinas that normally have no trouble getting boats in and out 
of the water are finding there isn't enough depth to do the job. Source: The 
Detroit News (10/19)


COMMENTARY: Despite 2012 algae break, feds invest in long-term Great Lakes 
controls
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The Obama administration spread about $3 million among seven Great Lakes 
Restoration Initiative grant recipients in Ohio and nearly as much to four 
in Michigan, mostly for nutrient-reduction projects aimed to help reduce 
algae. Source: Great Lakes Echo (10/19)


Repairs needed at Great Lakes harbors & piers
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Many harbor users on the south shore of Lake Ontario are complaining that 
harbors are not being properly maintained. Perhaps some of the the worst 
conditions can be found at recreational piers like Olcott Harbor on Lake 
Ontario in Olcott, N.Y. Source: WGRZ-TV - Buffalo, NY (10/19)


Counties stress economic impact of harbors
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According to officials from six N.Y. counties, millions of dollars are at 
stake for marinas and other lakeshore businesses that depend on fully 
navigable harbors on Lake Ontario. They have been pressing the federal 
government to dredge 19 harbors from Niagara to Oswego counties. Source: The 
Daily News (10/19)


Grand Valley State University's Lake Michigan wind buoy collecting data for 
potential offshore wind farm developments
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The Grand Valley State University Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy 
Center continues to directly study the wind patterns in the middle of Lake 
Michigan, gathering a tremendous volume of data for future scientists and 
wind energy developers. Source: MLive (10/18)


Grand Valley State University Annis Water Resources Institute gets $250K EPA 
grant
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Researchers at Grand Valley State University's Annis Water Resources 
Institute on Muskegon Lake are receiving a $250,000 grant from the U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency, which will aid the facility in continuing 
its extensive Great Lakes education and outreach programs through 2013 and 
2014. Source: Grand Rapids Business Journal (10/18)


Shipping brings billions to the Northland
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The Twin Ports are among more than 100 commercial ports in the Great 
Lakes-Saint Lawrence Seaway system, but the local economic benefits of the 
ports have never been studied with the help of both the U.S. And Canada, 
until now. Source: WDIO-TV - Duluth, MN (10/18)


Aging pipeline poses threat to Great Lakes, report says
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A report released on Thursday by the National Wildlife Federation questions 
the safety of a network of oil pipelines operated by Enbridge that run 
through the Great Lakes region. Source: The New York Times (10/18)

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