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Making Waves
February 2, 2017
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In this edition of Making Waves:
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Reminder: Register for 2017 Annual Meeting
Registration for the 2017 Annual Meeting and Conference is now open. Please
click here
to register for the Annual Meeting and Conference, to be held in Montreal, QC June 14-16, 2017. Early bird pricing for registration fees is currently in effect.
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Ullrich Reappointed as US Chair of Great Lakes Water Quality Board
Executive Director of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, David Ullrich, was recently reappointed for an additional three years as US Chair of the International Joint Commission's Great Lakes Water Quality Board. For more information on the IJC's Great Lakes Water Quality Board,
click here.
Wisconsin-Lake Michigan National Marine Sanctuary
In 2015 the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration proposed to designate a new national marine sanctuary in Lake Michigan. The proposed 1,075 square mile area in Lake Michigan abuts the shores of the following cities involved in the nomination: Cities Initiative member Port Washington, Cities Initiative member Sheboygan, Cities Initiative member Manitowoc, Two Rivers, and Mequon. The proposed marine sanctuary would protect 37 shipwrecks, 80 potential shipwrecks, and other valuable underwater cultural resources. NOAA developed a detailed analysis and management plan of the proposed marine sanctuary and is currently seeking public comment. Mayor Tom Mlada of Port Washington invites Cities Initiative members to submit comments and support this proposed marine sanctuary which would be the second in the Great Lakes. The public comment deadline is March 31, 2017. For more information and to submit comments, please
click here.
Great Lakes Business Network Launched
A coalition of Great Lakes businesses have joined forces to work towards the decommissioning of twin oil pipelines under the Straits of Mackinac. The 63 year old Enbridge pipelines, known as Line 5, designed to last 50 years, are of concern to many in the region given their age and risk for rupture and leakage. The founding members of the GLBN are: Bar Fly (Grand Rapids, MI), Bell's Brewery (Comstock, MI), Beth Price Photography (Traverse City, MI), Cherry Republic (Glen Arbor, MI), Grand Rapids Brewing Co. (Grand Rapids, MI), Hop Cat (Grand Rapids, MI), Lake Charlevoix Brewing Co. (Charlevoix, MI), Shepler's Ferry (Mackinaw City, MI), Sleeping Bear Surf and Kayak (Empire, MI), and Patagonia Company. To learn more, visit
http://glbusinessnetwork.com.
Public-Private Partnerships on Green Infrastructure
ECT and partners recently released a report Assessing the Market Size for Large-Scale Green Infrastructure in the Great Lakes Basin. Funded by the Great Lakes Protection Fund, the report explores enabling private financing or private delivery to expand the use of green infrastructure in the Great Lakes basin. Among the findings, the team estimates that the potential market size for private investment in green infrastructure exceeds a billion dollars in Ohio, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana collectively. The report also provides a number of tools to aid communities considering establishing a public-private partnership. To read the report, please
click here.
US Water Prize Nominations Open
The US Water Alliance has opened nominations for the 2017 US Water Prize. Awarded on an annual basis,
the US Water Prize celebrates outstanding achievement in the advancement of sustainable solutions to our nation's water challenges.
Winners of the 2017 US Water Prize will be recognized and announced during the Water Prize Ceremony at the 2017 One Water Summit in New Orleans, June 27-29. Nominations are due March 8, 2017 and winners will be chosen by an Independent Review Panel comprised of past winners and water industry experts. More information about the nomination process can be found here.
Events & Webinars
Climate Leadership Conference
Gathering of forward-thinking leaders from business, government, academia, and the non-profit community to explore energy and climate solutions, and provide support to leaders taking action on climate change.
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March 1-3, 2017
Chicago, IL
Marriott Downtown Chicago
15% Off Registration Code:
CLC-Great Lakes-15%
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CELA Webinar: Lead in Drinking Water - Sharing Details about Ontario's Response
Join the Canadian Environmental Law Association and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change for a webinar on the Ontario government's past and current activities related to lead in drinking water. |
March 2, 2017
1:00 - 2:00 PM Eastern
Click here to register.
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Untrouble the Waters: Freshwater Lab Summit 2017
A summit dedicated to bringing mayors, local leaders, and researchers together to envision and launch projects that benefit communities and watersheds alike.
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May 10-11, 2017
University of Illinois - Chicago
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Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Green Infrastructure Conference
Conference focused on using green infrastructure across the landscape with a primary goal to protect the surface waters in the Great Lakes region.
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May 31 - June 2, 2017
Detroit, MI
Registration is not yet open but a preliminary conference overview and information are available here.
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Funding Opportunities
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Sustain Our Great Lakes
In 2017, grant funding will be awarded in three categories, focused on protecting, restoring and sustaining Great Lakes fish, wildlife and habitat:
- Stream and Riparian Habitat
- Coastal Wetlands
- Green Storm Water Infrastructure - New funding category in 2017
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Applications due February 21, 2017
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Membership
Please join the 128 Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative members in protecting and restoring the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River by clicking
here for a membership application. If you are already a member, please encourage your neighboring communities to join, and be sure to renew your membership when you receive your notice.
If your municipality would like to share news with the Cities Initiative, please email information to Melissa Soline at
[email protected].
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