• Nonprofit groups urge Michigan officials to adopt a water-affordability strategy for low-income residents.
• A federal judge ordered the energy giant Enbridge Inc. and an Indian tribe to come up with a solution to avoid the “draconian” shutdown of the Line 5 oil pipeline.
• After the city revealed a 26-year sewage leak, Ontario’s environment minister said he ordered Hamilton to audit its sewage infrastructure.
• The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration awarded nearly $1.5 million to projects combating Great Lakes algal blooms.

A project called Renew Harbor Island aims to clean polluted industrial sites on Grand Haven’s Harbor Island, which is surrounded by the Grand River, a Lake Michigan tributary.

“The stakes couldn’t be higher. Our drinking water, along with the drinking water for millions of people in West Michigan, is drawn from Lake Michigan. If contaminated, we could impact much more than just our city island.” — Derek Gajdos, Grand Haven public works director

Harbor Island has been the site of a saw mill, municipal dump, and coal-fired power plant. Before redevelopment can occur, the city will have to clean up 100 years of contamination, including PFAS and coal ash. The project will be the topic of a community meeting on December 6.

SEWAGE AUDIT: After the city discovered sewage had been leaking into Hamilton Harbor for the past 26 years, Ontario’s environment minister said he ordered Hamilton to undergo a sewage infrastructure audit. The city will have to develop a plan to clean up the harbor, which is part of Lake Ontario.

ALGAL BLOOMS: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration awarded $1.5 million in federal funding to support projects that aim to combat Great Lakes algal blooms. Recipients include the University of Toledo, University of Michigan Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research, and Bowling Green State University.

Upcoming Events

December 5-7, 2022 – 2022 Virtual Great Lakes PFAS Summit– register

December 6, 2022 – EPA Great Lakes Advisory Board (GLAB) Virtual Public Meeting – register

December 6, 2022 – Reflections on Lake Ontario Water Quality Progress: IJC Public Input Webinar – register

December 8, 2022 – Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement Nutrients Annex: 2022 Lake Erie Update – register

December 13, 2022 – Reflections on St. Lawrence River Water Quality Progress: IJC Public Input Webinar – register

Other News

• After 22 years of debate, the EPA has denied Ohio’s proposal for manure oversight.
• Despite Democratic control of the Michigan government, leaders say Line 5 will likely stay open.
• Ohio is ordered to put Lake Erie on a ‘pollution diet.’