Great Lakes

Bold idea to curb invasive species highlights Great Lakes Governor's conference

Current State — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 16:23:28 +0000

No sooner had conferees wrapped up last week’s Mackinac Policy Conference than another gathering formed. For the first time in six years, the Council of Great Lakes Governors met to discuss the economy and the environment.

Prioritizing issues in the Great Lakes region

Current State — Tue, 28 May 2013 18:03:44 +0000

This weekend Gov. Snyder will welcome Governors from across the Great Lakes region to the 2013 leadership summit on Mackinac Island. Great Lakes journalist and commentator Gary Wilson previews the summit and reflects on the Great Lakes Advisory Board's meeting in Chicago.

Wilson is the former co-editor of the Great Lakes Town Hall. He’s a member of the Society of Environmental Journalists and currently writes for Great Lakes Echo.

New documentary explains how ice continues to shape Great Lakes region

Current State — Tue, 14 May 2013 22:26:37 +0000

The Great Lakes formed thousands of years ago when a glacier moved across the region and melted. The film "Project:Ice" depicts the important role ice continues to play in the Great Lakes Basin.

Bill Kleinert, the documentary’s executive producer and director, discusses the importance of ice to the Great Lakes region.

High bacteria levels plague Great Lakes beaches

CURRENT STATE — Tue, 07 May 2013 16:24:28 +0000

According to a 2012 report by the Natural Resources Defense Council, bacterial levels of Great Lakes’ beaches exceeded public health standards more than beaches in any other region. Contaminated water can cause illness and force beaches to close. Joan Rose is the Nowlin Endowed Chair of Water Research. She discusses beach health and water systems. She spoke with Current State host Mark Bashore.

Study indicates Asian carp may already be in Great Lakes

Current State — Fri, 03 May 2013 15:54:14 +0000

A new study released in April finds Asian carp may in fact be reaching the Great Lakes. The Asian carp is an invasive species with an appetite large enough to potentially decimate the food chain ecosystem of the Great Lakes. There have been many efforts to contain the spread of the fish in the Chicago Area Waterway System to connects to Lake Michigan. The study now raises new questions about the effectiveness of that system.

Current State #72 | April 23, 2013

Current State — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 20:23:05 +0000

Today on Current State: Councilwoman Jessica Yorko on city budget; the drawbacks of dredging; dispute over Ingham county recordkeeping; and Angela Wittrock with Lansing business news.

Michigan DEQ limits environmental impacts of dredging

Current State — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 18:08:49 +0000

This year record low water levels have spurred the Michigan government to spend over $20 million on dredging. Many hope dredging will enable recreational and commercial boating to continue, preventing revenue loss.

Great Lakes Levels Below Normal Next 6 Months

The Associated Press — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 19:23:10 +0000

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says Great Lakes levels probably will remain below average for the next six months but won't set records unless the weather is unusually dry.

Current State #57 | April 2, 2013

Current State — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 18:08:18 +0000

Today on Current State: policy operative Richard McClellan; the Great Lakes Energy-Water Nexus; and Michigan's steps toward autism benefits.

Water-energy nexus in the Great Lakes Basin

Current State — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 17:46:58 +0000

Current State #52 | March 26, 2013

Current State — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 20:52:10 +0000

Today on Current State: Curtis Hertel on plans to run for Senate; former congressman advocates for mental health; Lansing City Council president's response to budget proposal; and measuring water quality over the years in the Great Lakes.

Measuring Great Lakes water quality today and a century ago

Current State — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 20:31:13 +0000

It’s been 100 years since the International Joint Commission conducted a Great Lakes-wide bacteriological study. Scientists are now looking to recreate the 1913 research; the 100 years study will assess how water quality in the Basin has changed over time.

Army Corps Commits $5.2M For Great Lakes Repairs

The Associated Press — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 19:29:31 +0000

A top official of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says her agency will spend $5.2 million in Hurricane Sandy relief funds to repair 10 Great Lakes harbors.

As Great Lakes show, plastic pollution not just an oceanic problem

Current State — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 20:50:34 +0000

Current State #39 | March 7, 2013

Current State — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 00:14:19 +0000

Today on Current State: The iconic SS Badger's future; gender imbalance in medical research; summer road construction East Lansing; the Safe Patient Care Act; and a preview of the Wharton Center's remaining lineup.

EPA may end SS Badger's long run on coal

Current State — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 00:07:37 +0000

The iconic Michigan steamship, the SS Badger, may lose its permit to dump spent coal into Lake Michigan. The Ludington company that owns and operates the Badger, Lake Michigan Carferry, expects to hear soon from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency about its request to continue the practice.

Detroit Boat Show also features Great Lakes naval history

Current State — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 16:40:42 +0000

The 55th annual Detroit Boat Show runs now through Sunday at Cobo Center. The expo showcases everything from power boats to pontoons, and even a little Great Lakes history. This year is the bicentennial of the epic Battle of Lake Erie, which occurred during the War of 1812.

Michigan's fragile groundwater resources a growing concern

Current State — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 19:36:24 +0000

The Great Lakes’ record-low water levels are rightly receiving all of the attention now, but evidence is growing that Michigan’s fragile groundwater resources are quietly becoming a concern for the future.

Current State #23 | February 13, 2013

Current State — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 18:30:52 +0000

Today on Current State: City Pulse's Andy Balaskovitz on the latest Lansing city council squabble, potential sale of city's Board of Water and Light; Neighbors in Action features ePIFanyNOW; solutions to record low water levels in Great Lakes ; an "owl prowl"; and Business Leaders for Michigan CEO Doug Rothwell.

Lakes Michigan and Huron reach record low water levels

Current State — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 17:28:04 +0000

This month Lake Michigan and Lake Huron hit record low water levels. The receding water is causing environmental and economic problems in the Great Lakes Basin.

To offset the water levels, Governor Rick Snyder has proposed a $21 million budget to dredge harbors. Patrick Doran, director of conservation for the Michigan Chapter of the Nature Conservancy and Jon Allan, director of the Office of the Great Lakes, discuss dredging and the future of the Great Lakes’ water levels.