|
|
USACE Releases
Brandon Road Report
The Brandon Road Report, which was originally expected to be released in February, evaluates the alternatives for controlling upstream transfer of aquatic nuisance species (ANS) from the Mississippi River Basin into the Great Lakes Basin through the Chicago Area Waterway System (CAWS). The report focuses on structural and nonstructural options and technologies near the Brandon Road Lock and Dam to prevent the transfer of ANS from the Mississippi River Basin into the Great Lakes Basin, while looking to minimize the potential impacts on existing waterway users.
There will be a 45-day public comment period ending on September 21 and the Corps will also conduct public meetings to obtain additional public feedback.
Director of the Great Lakes Washington Program at the Northeast-Midwest Institute.
|
EPA Releases Annual GLRI Report
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today released its
annual report to Congress and the President summarizing the progress made under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) in 2016. The report details GLRI's accomplishments over 2016 by highlighting success stories in cleaning up toxic Areas of Concern (AOCs); preventing the spread of invasive species; combating harmful algal blooms (HABs); restoring habitat and species; and promoting Great Lakes-based ecosystem education and stewardship.
In June, a bipartisan group of Great Lakes Congressional members led by Senator Debbie Stabenow (MI) and Representatives Debbie Dingell (MI) and Bill Huizenga (MI) sent EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt a
letter calling on him to send Congress the report. The letter states that the report is "utilized by Members of Congress, federal agencies, local stakeholders and the public across the Great Lakes states to determine funding levels and protect the waters for future generations."
Director of the Great Lakes Washington Program at the Northeast-Midwest Institute.
|
NEMWI Comments on Draft PCB Binational Strategy
NEMWI provided
comments last week on the Great Lakes
Draft Binational Strategy for PCB Risk Management ("Strategy"). The Strategy is expected to focus the efforts of the Parties to the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement to implement risk mitigation and management actions aimed at reducing PCBs in the Great Lakes region. The PCB Strategy is one of
two strategies written under Annex 3 of the
Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, Chemicals of Mutual Concern (the other was written for hexabromocyclododecane, HBCD). These two Strategies are the first to be written for the eight Chemicals of Mutual Concern
designated under Annex 3 in 2016.
NEMWI reviewed the Strategy and made several recommendations regarding the chemical description of PCBs, and risk mitigation and management options to address existing gaps, including:
- Less focus on blanket goals for sediment concentrations of PCB that do not take into account unique environmental characteristics of various lake and river systems.
- More focus on decreasing PCB concentrations in fish to levels safe for consumption, especially considering subsistence fishing communities.
- The creation of a binational data clearinghouse for PCBs, as well as for all Chemicals of Mutual Concern identified under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.
- More stringent regulation of safe disposal of PCBs and PCB-containing equipment.
Overall, NEMWI commends the United States and Canadian governments for creating this binational strategy and believes it is a major step toward managing PCB contamination in the Great Lakes system.
For more information, contact Ankita Mandelia
, Policy Analyst for the Towards Sustainable Water Information Program, or
Matthew McKenna
, Director of the Great Lakes Washington Program.
|
Gulf Dead Zone Breaks Record
The
dead zone
in the Gulf of Mexico is now the largest on record. Although important environmental laws protect the Mississippi River Basin and the Gulf of Mexico, neither the annual dead zone nor the concentrations of nutrients which cause it have declined.
This issue is frequently discussed in relation to agriculture in the Mississippi River Basin. Run-off from these farms is a huge source of the pollution which drives the growth of dead zones. Less frequently discussed is the role of the meat industry.
A recent
study by Mighty Earth examines the connection between meat production and pollution in the Gulf. The study found that the supply chains for companies like Tyson Foods have a significant impact. The companies require large amounts of corn and soy beans to raise animals.
The intense farming which serves the companies' supply chains is a direct source of pollution which ends up in the Gulf. The rush to produce feed for meat companies also leads to destruction of grasslands, which exacerbates the problem.
The extent of the dead zone in the Gulf demonstrates the need to protect and improve the nation's environmental laws. When doing so, it will be important to keep in mind which companies and industries are driving the problem.
For more information, please contact
Joe Vukovich, Senior Policy Analyst for the Upper Mississippi River Basin Program at the Northeast-Midwest Institute.
|
|
Senate Begins August Recess
Senators have left for their August recess and are not expected back in Washington until after Labor Day.
The House August recess also continues this week.
Director of the Great Lakes Washington Program at the Northeast-Midwest Institute.
|
|
NEMWI: Strengthening the Region that Sustains the Nation
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
