Great Lakes Echo (https://greatlakesecho.org/2009/10/page/11/)
E-mail: walkerh4@msu.edu
Haley’s stories on Echo
Haley Marie Walker joined the Great Lakes Echo staff in August 2009. Walker is from St. Augustine, Florida, where has worked Drift Magazine, Close-Up Media Wireless News Service, The Collective Press, and the St. Augustine Record. Throughout her career, she has held positions as editor-in-chief, environmental staff writer, freelance writer and photographer.
By Shawntina Phillips
phill465@msu.edu
Oct. 13, 2009
State and federal officials are considering a fish poison as a way of pushing back a front of hungry carp that are advancing toward the Great Lakes. Recent DNA testing indicates that Asian carp are now within a mile of an electric barrier designed to keep fish out of Lake Michigan. They already have reached the Des Plaines River, a body of water that runs parallel to the barrier. That’s worrisome said John Rogner, the assistant director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
(MI) AnnArbor.com – Ann Arbor residents might not have to sort their recyclables in the future – and they might even get rewarded for recycling – if the City Council ultimately passes a proposal reviewed Monday evening. In a special work session, council members were presented with a $3.5 million plan that would convert Ann Arbor’s Materials Recovery Facility into what’s referred to as a single-stream operation. More
(MI) The Associated Press – Gov. Jennifer Granholm has signed legislation requiring that farm animals confined in small cages have enough room to turn around and fully extend their limbs. The bill signed Monday makes Michigan the second state to ban commonly used cages for egg-laying chickens, the fifth to ban common crates for veal calves and the seventh to ban certain stalls for pregnant pigs. More
(MI) The Mudpuppy – The Saginaw Valley is meeting standards for fine particulate matter, the soot from coal-fired energy and other fossil fuel burning that can cause health problems and shorten your life. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently designated areas in Michigan and other Midwest states for not meeting daily standards for PM 2.5, or airborne fine particles that are less than 2.5 microns in size. Michigan counties that didn’t meet the standard are Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair, Washtenaw and Wayne, EPA officials said. More
By Haley Walker
Walkerh4@msu.edu
Great Lakes Echo
Oct. 12, 2009
Researchers are studying whether Great Lakes fish contaminated by mercury are threatened more by low oxygen in the water than healthy fish. The International Joint Commission recently recognized runaway plant growth, a cause of low oxygen, as a major Great Lakes problem. The U.S./Canadian commission advises those governments on Great Lakes issues. Low oxygen is called hypoxia, a condition the U.S. Geological Survey says is caused by an increase in nutrients.
By Hyonhee Shin
Great Lakes Echo
Oct. 10, 2009
LANSING – Southeast Michigan lawmakers are pushing for cleaner urban areas by rewarding people who report littering and illegal dumping. Under a bill by Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Detroit, tipsters would get 50 percent of any fine paid by violators. Littering is illegal, with a maximum fine of $400 and a maximum 90-day jail sentence. The goal is to stop people from littering, said co-sponsor Bob Constan, D-Dearborn Heights.
Vote
The artificial connection between the Mississippi River and Great Lakes watersheds at Chicago is a highway for spreading invasive species between the regions. An electric barrier is meant to discourage invaders such as the voracious Asian carp which are knocking on the Great Lakes’ door. Is it enough? Cast your vote on how best to slam this door on invasive species. Read this Echo story and also this one for background.
(MI) Detroit Free Press – In a cost-cutting move praised by environmental groups and blasted by the state’s farm bureau, Gov. Jennifer Granholm announced Thursday she would combine Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources and Department of Environmental Quality next year. The new agency is to be called the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, and the move takes effect Jan. 17. More