Report: Water Levels Hit Record Lows in Two Great Lakes, Wildlife Struggles to Cope with Changing Climate
Drought and reduced winter ice cover are contributing to declining water levels in the Great Lakes. As lakes Michigan and Huron hit record lows, a new report outlines what changes like this could mean for the region’s flora and fauna.
No Clear Path for Energy Policy in Great Lakes States
Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania governments struggle with climate change, budgets, and changing markets.
Great Lakes Ports and Shipping Companies Confounded by Climate Changes and Water Levels
With freighters forced to carry lighter loads, port structures damaged by rot, ship cannels that are filling with silt, there are millions of dollars in losses, repairs, and dredging — but scientists are working on adaptation solutions and planning resilience.
Clean Energy Picture Dramatically Changed For Midwest, As U.S. Fossil Energy Boom Gathers Steam
With the price of natural gas falling thanks to innovating drilling solutions in states like Ohio and Pennsylvania, investments in water-sipping energy models like wind and solar have dried up.
Fossil Fuel Boom Shakes Ohio, Spurring Torrent of Investment and Worry Over Water
Ohio’s shale oil and gas fortunes point up. By Keith Schneider and Codi Yeager Circle of Blue Photo © Codi Yeager/Circle of Blue The site of a proposed $US 3 billion natural-gas-to-liquids plant near Wellsville, Ohio, heralds what many say is the state’s most significant investment in oil and gas development in decades. But the [...]
Connected by Pipeline from Canada, Tar Sands Represents Bonus and Risk to Great Lakes
Transporting and processing corrosive crude raise new questions about consequences.
Water Law: Public Trust May Be Fresh Approach to Protecting Great Lakes
Canadian and American advocates join to promote big oversight idea of the "commons."
Where Food Grows on Water: Environmental and Human Threats to Wisconsin’s Wild Rice
For generations, the upper Great Lakes region has boasted harvests of wild rice, growing in Lake Superior and other watersheds within the basin. But disease, dams, and climate change are now endangering the uncultivated bounty.
A Midwest Pipeline Rupture Raises Questions About Tar Sands Risk
Enbridge is working overtime to clean up the spill, placate the community, and get oil flowing again.
Pipeline Ties Detroit Refinery to “Dirtiest Source of Fossil Fuels”
State department says oil is needed; Congress leader joins activists in raising concerns.
In Detroit: No Money, No Water
Water Department cuts connections to thousands of city’s poor.
Report: Why Asian Carp eDNA Still Matters in the Fight for the Great Lakes
Researchers see great promise in eDNA testing to detect invasive and rare species at low abundance — including invasive Asian carp — but refining the tool is a long process.
After Summer of Testing, Status of Asian Carp in Lake Erie Remains Uncertain
Positive test results for Asian carp eDNA from Lake Erie's Sandusky and Maumee bays are worrying, but not conclusive.
Has the Invasion Started? Asian Carp eDNA Found In Lake Erie
While federal efforts are largely focused on stonewalling invasive Asian carp at Chicago, the fish could be making their way into the Great Lakes through Lake Erie, where studies show they are likely to thrive.
U.S. Congress to Get Asian Carp Solutions by 2013, Two Years Ahead of Schedule
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is taking steps to speed up its recommendations for keeping invasive species out of the Great Lakes — but will its actions be quick enough to stop Asian carp? Photo by Jason Lindsey By Codi Yeager Circle of Blue By the end of next year, the United States Army [...]
Third Time’s Not A Charm: U.S. Supreme Court Again Denies Request to Stop Asian Carp
The Supreme Court denied a request by five states that were calling for immediate action to stop invasive Asian carp from infiltrating the Great Lakes. This is the third time that the court has denied an injunction for the Asian carp case.
Study Outlines Plans to Stop Asian Carp at Chicago
Three proposals for separating the Great Lakes from the Mississippi River watershed could block the flow of aquatic invasive species while re-envisioning water management in Chicago, a new study says. Image courtesy Great Lakes Commission The three separation alternatives include a down-river single barrier, a mid-system alternative of four barriers on CAWS branches between Lockport [...]
Advance of the Invader: Asian Carp Continue March to Northern Waters
Live carp have been found in North Dakota and past the electric barriers in Chicago. As the carp push forward, Michigan and other Great Lakes states are once again asking the U.S. Supreme Court to speed up action to stop the advance of the invader.
Feds Pledge $47 Million To Asian Carp Fight; States Appeal Court Loss
Last week, the Obama Administration announced an updated plan, which included additional research but not closing the Chicago locks.
Asian Carp — On the Docket in D.C. and Chicago; On the Menu in Michigan
Federal judge rejects Asian carp injunction as Congress passes a ban on their import.
Great Lakes Threats Go Beyond Asian Carp, Invasive Expert Says
Dr. Reuben Keller calls for long-term solutions to protect the Great Lakes, and the Mississippi and Illinois rivers.
Illinois Company Receives Grant to Export Asian Carp to China
Asian carp are heading home, 40,000 pounds at a time.
Asian Carp Czar Outlines Plan to Eradicate Invasive Fish
Announcement comes, as Canada plans joint effort with the United States to study the threat posed to the Great Lakes
U.S. Gains Carp Czar, Court Hears Testimony on the Invasive Fish
The newly appointed czar says he's undecided on separating the infested Mississippi and Illinois rivers from Lake Michigan.
Asian Carp Case Goes to Court as Foundation Pledges $500,000 to Protect the Great Lakes
Invasive Asian carp make a surprise appearance on the Missouri River.
Great Lakes States Sue Federal Government Over Asian Carp Threat
The recent discovery of a live carp close to Lake Michigan may bolster the states’ case, legal expert says.
Congress, Michigan Legislature Asked to Fix Leaks in Great Lakes Compact
It’s been more than a year since eight states agreed to prevent large-scale diversions from the Great Lakes, the most abundant source of clean freshwater on the planet. The passage of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact, completed after ten years of campaigning by public interest organizations, legislative leaders, and governors of both parties, was meant to permanently secure the globally significant storehouse of water contained in the Great Lakes.
Waukesha’s Water Woes Herald Test of Great Lakes Compact
The Great lakes Compact may be put to the test soon as the city of Waukesha, Wisconsin seeks permission to tap Lake Michigan's water supply.
Video: James Olson Discusses the Great Lakes Compact
In an interview with Circle of Blue, James M. Olson discusses the Great Lakes Compact: an international agreement intended to protect the Great Lakes Basin.
Great Lakes Compact flows through U.S. House On its Way to the President
Representatives remain worried about exemptions Sarah Haughn Circle of Blue As of Tuesday, grandiose visions of Lake Michigan pipelines pumping water to parched Arizona began withering in the wake of the congressionally approved Great Lakes Compact. With the Compact ratified, the Great Lakes Basin is one executive signature away from legislation that would prohibit outside [...]
Great Lakes compact now moves to Congress
SAUGATUCK, Michigan – Michigan became the last state to approve the Great Lakes Compact on Wednesday, with Govern Granholm formally approving the compact. Before it can become official US policy however, the international treaty needs to move through the US Congress where expectations are high that it will pass, the Detroit Free Press reports. The [...]
Q&A: James Olson on Great Lakes Compact, Water Privatization
Expert gives opinion on the international agreement intended to protect.
