Great Lakes Echo (https://greatlakesecho.org/tag/echo/page/80/)
Here are suggestions for our challenge to complete Wisconsin Sea Grant’s 12 days of aquatic nuisance Christmas.
And we’ve included a link to the entire song if you are inspired to give it a try.
Michigan kids don’t have to buy a fishing license. But such an investment can return 350 percent for fish restoration and management. Few people are aware of the return on a purchase that also teaches kids about resource management.
It was first found in the St Lawrence Seaway and then Lake Erie. Now it has been identified on Lake St. Clair. The species forms thick mats and can cause skin, oral and gastrointestinal problems.
Lake Erie is among seven locations nationwide to receive new offshore wind investments from the U.S. Department of Energy. The department recently announced $168 million for different projects to demonstrate technological development, reduce costs of wind energy, and ultimately add jobs. The Lake Erie Energy Development Corp., a public-private partnership, could receive up to $47 million to install nine 3-megawatt wind turbines seven miles off the coast of Cleveland, Ohio. The goal is to achieve commercial operation by 2017. An offshore wind industry could mirror the success of land-based wind energy, according to a report by economic services group Navigant Consortium that was commissioned for the department.
The idea is to find the best places to get the most value from investing in environmental restoration.
The project examines the intersection of multiple problems with their impact on the services provided by the environment.
One finding: The places most valued by people are the most at risk.
Cleanup in the wake of a mercury spill can cost thousands of dollars, according to this public service announcement from the Michigan Department of Community Health. “Most spills that are handled quickly and correctly pose no health threat,” said Christina Bush, health department toxicologist. “You might be able to clean up a small spill, like that from a fever thermometer, on your own, but do not vacuum a mercury spill,” Bush said, “Doing so will contaminate your vacuum cleaner and increase the mercury vapor dramatically. If you are unable to clean up the spill right away, tape plastic (like garbage bags) on the mercury-contaminated carpet or flooring . This will reduce the amount of mercury vapor that could get into the air.”
This week Echo reporters asked the public and an expert to explain how we can improve water quality in the Great Lakes.
A binational group of researchers, agency officials and boat captains are developing a comprehensive monitoring program for Lake Erie. The lake is often a predictor of issues looming for other Great Lakes.
