 |
 |
       |
 |
Pair plans to walk around Lake Superior
Sault Ste. Marie Evening News (2/3)
While people have driven, biked, sailed and even kayaked around Lake Superior, there are only a few records of people walking around the lake. Two individuals are making plans to do just that.
EDITORIAL: Lessons from the wind: Students will capture data that could save district money
Muskegon Chronicle (1/14)
Wind power has become a hot button issue in West Michigan. Grand Valley State University researchers are studying the issue under a grant and will be reporting the results as each section of its study is completed.
Fishery Trust invests in future
Grand Traverse Herald (1/13)
The Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative has an ambitious goal: create the next generation of Great Lakes stewards whose advocacy will support the lakes' long-term sustainability. The Grand Traverse Conservation District will be an integral part of this effort.
What's going on in your neighborhood this month? Meet other people and learn together at recreational and educational events! Our new dynamic calendar is updated daily with current educational events.
6 | More to come ...
Although phosphorus levels in lakes Ontario and Erie have decreased by almost 80 percent since the 1970s and many regulations have been placed on toxic chemical dumping, water pollution in the Great Lakes is still causing severe damage to aquatic ecology and to our own health and quality of life. Beaches are consistently closed due to bacterial contamination, drinking water contamination has caused sickness and deaths around the region, many of our fish are poisoned with chemicals, and the sediments at the bottom of the lakes are becoming increasingly toxic.... and then the silver lining
But the Great Lakes and waterways are showing signs of improvement. In late May 2001, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported the Cuyahoga River in Ohio -- the river that caught on fire in 1969 -- is now showing healthier fish than it has in decades. Researchers attribute the success to the cleanup of industries that had originally sent their wastes into the river, as well as better maintenance of sewer systems and sewage treatment plants in the Cuyahoga watershed.
References:
Great Lakes Atlas, 3rd edition
Wisconsin Sea Grant: Communications and Outreach Program
Environment Canada: Water Pollution
Agency for Toxic Substances and Diseases (ATSDR)
Nonpoint Source Pollution: U.S. EPA
Air Toxics and the Great Lakes: U.S. EPA
Lake Michigan Mass Balance Project: U.S. EPA