The U.S. House Appropriations Committee approved a budget bill amendment that would discourage states from regulating ballast water more strongly than the federal rule.

States that did would lose funding from the Environmental Protection Agency.

When you’re picking your summer reads for this season, why not stick to local and pick books with a Great Lakes flavor?

Here is Great Lakes themed summer reading list – what do you think we’ve missed?

In the above photo, taken on June 29, north is on the left. As described on NASA.gov, the lakes and rivers typically appear blue or blue-green – areas appearing silver in color are likely the result of sediment and sunglint. Sunglint is light reflecting off the water to the International Space Station. Canals and shipping locks in Sault Ste Marie is crucial to the Great Lakes shipping traffic system.
See full description here.

Two and half years after  Great Lakes states agreed to cut down on water diversion and excessive withdrawals from the lakes, the National Wildlife Foundation has  reported on how they’re doing.   The highlights:

Michigan and Wisconsin have the most notable success, passing legislation to cover all aspects of the compact and administering the program.

New York and Ohio only recently enacted legislation to comply with the requirements of the Great Lakes Compact.  …

Now is the best time to see the destructive, tree-eating emerald ash borer up close and personal.
The inch-long green metallic beetles are most numerous from late June to mid July, according to the Emerald Ash Borer Information Network. But don’t be fooled by lookalikes. Here’s a guide for proper identification of the nasty nuisance.
Officials have banned imported firewood, removed ash trees and even released tiny wasps to prevent them from overwhelming the region with little luck; the beetle has spread to all Great Lakes states over the past …

Even with one of the tightest mercury emission regulations in the country, Illinois suffers from out-of-state mercury pollution, according to a recent report.

The report urges federal officials to implement national air toxic standards.

Bidding ends today for two of them.

Need more time to ponder new digs?

Here are a few more up for grabs.

Flint’s urban pioneers seek to provide locally grown food and re-shape the notion of what it is to be a farmer. And oh yeah, make a profit.

If you live in Ohio and see a salamander scattering past, don’t scream and swat it. Shoot it, instead.
With a camera, that is.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Third Annual Wildlife Legacy Stamp photo contest is underway. Focusing on a different animal each year, this contest hopes to promote the diversity of Ohio’s wildlife.
This year’s contest focuses on capturing images of the native salamander, indigenous to Ohio. Participants should send their images between August 15th and 26th only.
The winning image will be put on a collectable Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp …

At 6 p.m. Wednesday, a St. Joseph, Mich. museum will screen Bad Company, a one-hour documentary examining how humans have altered the ecology and economy of the Great Lakes region.
‘Bad Company’ is Michigan State University’s Knight Center for Environmental Journalism’s fourth documentary.
Michigan State University instructor and filmmaker Lou D’Aria and co-produer Matt Mikus will be present at screening at the Heritage Museum and Cultural Center, 601 Main Street.
The Knight Center for Environmental Journalism is the publisher of Great Lakes Echo.