[dailynews] March 15, 2013

Great Lakes Daily News: March 15, 2013
For links to these stories and more, visit http://www.great-lakes.net/news/


The business of low Great Lakes water levels
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Stormwater pipes that run from the streets of Mackinac Island into Lake 
Huron release something onto the shoreline that was previously hidden 
underwater. But with the level of lakes Michigan and Huron at a historic 
low, you can see just what storms flush out onto the beach: horse manure. 
Source: Petoskey News-Review (3/15)


Southwest Detroit site expected to host piles of pet coke for some time
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The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality anticipates that a site 
just east of the Ambassador Bridge will become a long-term transfer spot for 
petroleum coke. The rapidly expanding size of the pet coke piles has caused 
alarm. Source: Detroit Free Press (3/15)


S.S. Badger to start sailing season May 6 as coal ash issue could end up in 
court
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Can the S.S. Badger operate on Lake Michigan without a final permit decision 
from the EPA? As the clock continues to tick, Lake Michigan Carferry 
officials are preparing for the May 6 start. Source: MLive (3/15)


St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation to raise tolls by 3 percent
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The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation will raise tolls for the 2013 
by 3 percent. Seaway officials said the move follows a five-year toll 
freeze. Source: North Country Now (3/15)


Emails show plan change to dam removal project
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An email sent to a state official describes an engineering design 
modification to the Brown Bridge Dam removal project two days before a 
breach flooded dozens of Boardman River residential properties near Traverse 
City, Mich. Source: Traverse City Record-Eagle (3/15)


Spring rain, then foul algae in ailing Lake Erie
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For those who live and play on the shores of Lake Erie, the spring rains 
that will begin falling here soon are less a blessing than a portent. The 
spring rains reliably predict how serious the summer algae bloom will be. 
Source: The New York Times (3/14)


Congressman Bill Huizenga, President Barack Obama talk Great Lakes issues
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Given the chance for face time with President Barack Obama Wednesday, 
Michigan Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-Zeeland) used his moments with the 
president to press possible cooperation on Great Lakes issues. Source: MLive 
(3/14)


Michigan boaters alert: Harbors, marinas would get dredging help under bills 
moving through Legislature
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Michigan lawmakers are advancing bills aimed at helping marinas and harbors 
tackle dredging projects. The bills are part of a broad effort aimed at 
making more money available for dredging and making the permit process 
easier and faster. Source: MLive (3/14)


EPA orders Enbridge to dredge parts of the Kalamazoo River for submerged oil
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The Environmental Protection Agency says more dredging is needed in parts of 
the Kalamazoo River to remove submerged oil from the massive Enbridge oil 
spill near Marshall, Mich., in 2010. Source: Michigan Radio (3/14)


MDCH releases report on drinking water wells after Kalamazoo River oil spill
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This week, the Michigan Department of Community Health released a report on 
drinking water wells along the Enbridge oil spill zone near Marshall, Mich. 
The only oil-related chemicals that were found in wells were iron and 
nickel. Source: Michigan Radio (3/14)


Wisconsin communities prepare for climate change
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About a dozen communities in Wisconsin have created task forces to address 
regional symptoms of climate change - specifically, higher temperatures, 
more winter precipitation, and more droughts. Source: Wisconsin Public Radio 
(3/13)

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