More snow means more snowmobiling, but not an increase in accidents
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Despite the near-record snowfall in Michigan that created a banner year for snow-related sports, snowmobile fatalities haven’t climbed with the piles of snow.
Air
Drone pilot wants to livestream video to firefighters
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As firefighters and several fire trucks work to put out the flames, that’s when Harry C. Arnold launches his drone and flies towards the big cloud of grey smoke.
Air
Great Lakes Month in Review: Algae blooms and Gov. Snyder’s record
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At the end of each month Current State check in with Great Lakes commentator and journalist Gary Wilson for updates on environmental stories from around the basin. Today’s Great Lakes Month in Review, focuses on Governor Snyder’s environmental efforts and algae blooms.
Land
Green gavel: N.Y. supplier liable for poison in baby food apples
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A company that supplied a baby food maker with apples contaminated with rodenticides is liable for damages for breach of contract, a federal judge in Rochester, N.Y., has ruled.
Land
Landscope: Small Saline grows quickly
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In this installment of our “Landscope” series, get a bird’s eye view of the growth of Saline, Mich., which has expanded from small farming town to an ever-growing community.
Wildlife
Invasive Species: Sea Lamprey
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By Evan KreagerGreat Lakes Echo
The Nature Conservancy has named sea lampreys one of the five “usual suspects” invading the Great Lakes basin. These eel-looking parasites find a host and suck the life out of it. During the length of one life cycle, a sea lamprey can kill up to 40 pounds worth of fish and can grow up to 3 feet long. Sea lampreys are native to the Atlantic Ocean, Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.
Wildlife
Tough winter good for some endangered species
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Heavy snowfall is proving to be helpful for some of Michigan’s endangered species, like Karner blue butterflies.
Wildlife
Illinois, Wisconsin differ in culling deer to control disease
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By Elizabeth DagresGreat Lakes EchoHunting combined with the controversial practice of culling can help control chronic wasting disease (CWD) in white-tailed deer better than hunting alone, according to a recent study done in Illinois and Wisconsin. Culling removes breeding animals to minimize reproduction. It’s been used in both Illinois and Wisconsin to control the spread of the contagious neurological disease that infects deer, elk and moose. CWD causes a spongy degeneration of the brain and results in emaciation, abnormal behavior, loss of bodily functions and death, according to the Chronic Wasting Disease Alliance. Illinois and Wisconsin are among the Great Lakes states experiencing an increase of white-tailed deer amid continued concern about the fatal disease.
Nearshore
Cottages, invasive species, landscape fuel Lake Huron algae
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Lined along Lake Huron’s Canadian coast stand beach cottages and vacationers… and green globs of algae.
Wildlife
Fur dealers could trap beavers under proposed law change
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The Michigan Trappers and Predator Callers Association pushed for the legislation, sponsored by Sen. Thomas Casperson, R-Escanaba.