Significant Activities Report:
September 2005

Protecting Riparian Areas and Wetlands

“Community Riparian and Wetland Guidance” is a newly released publication funded by GLNPO and developed by USEPA’s Cleveland Office along with the Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency, and the Ohio EPA. In a 16-page brochure:

• Riparian zones and wetlands and their functions are defined,
• Five principles of riparian and wetland protection are defined,
• The critical components of an effective setback ordinance are illustrated,
• Commonly raised issues regarding setback ordinances are answered, and
• Preliminary plan submission guidelines and guidelines for considering riparian setback variances are described.

The publication has been distributed throughout Northeast Ohio and is available online at:
http://www.cuyahogaswcd.org/ReparianWetlandsGuide_8%205x11in.pdf  

Contacts: Paul Novak (novak.paul@epa.gov)
U.S. EPA - Region 5, (440) 250-1750
or
Karen Rodriguez (rodriguez.karen@epa.gov)
U.S. EPA - GLNPO, (312) 353-2690 

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Women in Science and Engineering 

On September 8^th, GLNPO’s Elizabeth Hinchey Malloy, Jacqueline Adams, and Chrissy McConaghy spoke to graduate students and departmental faculty at the University of Illinois Chicago as part of the UIC Women in Science and Engineering fall semester speaker series. Their seminar included an overview of Great Lakes monitoring programs that GLNPO conducts with the R/V Lake Guardian and R/V Mudpuppy, a summary of their environmental science backgrounds, and tips for how high school, college and graduate students can find environmental internships and other research opportunities. The seminar also served as an announcement to participants of UIC’s Girls E-Mentoring in Science, Engineering and Technology (GEM-SET) program that Jackie Adams, who will be sampling Lake Superior aboard the R/V Lake Guardian Sept 22^nd -29^th, will be e-mailing cruise updates to GEM-SET participants. High school students around the country will be able to follow the ship’s progress and see pictures of Jackie in action. 

Contacts: Beth Hinchey Malloy (hinchey.elizabeth@epa.gov)
U.S. EPA - GLNPO, (312) 886-3451
or
Jackie Adams (adams.jacqueline@epa.gov)
U.S. EPA - GLNPO, (312) 353-7203
or
Christine McConaghy (mcconaghy.christine@epa.gov)
U.S. EPA - GLNPO, (312) 886-6056

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Detroit River Plume Investigated

A chronic “red plume” in the Detroit River along the shoreline of US Steel’s 80-Inch Mill has long concerned local residents and the Detroit River Riverkeeper. On September 20^th, USEPA Region 5 Water Division Enforcement Inspector Allan Batka and GLNPO’s Rose Ellison met with US Steel representatives to investigate complaints of the plume. The source of the intermittent plume appears to be the resuspension of “reddish” tainted shoreline sediment due to periodic wave action. While on site, Mr. Batka and Ms. Ellison observed the generation of a “red plume” in the river immediately after the shoreline was disrupted from boat-wake created waves. Ms. Ellison will be following up on the issue through the Detroit River Remedial Action Plan process. 

Contact: Rosanne Ellison (ellison.rosanne@epa.gov)
U.S. EPA - GLNPO, (734) 692-7689

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Setting Future Focus of Binational Toxics Strategy

The Great Lakes Binational Toxics Strategy (GLBTS) Integration Workgroup met in Chicago on September 15^th. The theme of the meeting was the future focus of the GLBTS. Topics included:

• The GLBTS review of Level 1 (priority for virtual elimination) substances and recommendations to the Binational Executive Committee regarding next steps,
• A History of the GLBTS,
• Chemical screening programs in the United States and Canada,
• A new Canadian Sectors program, and
• An overview of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement review process.

The meeting agenda and PowerPoint presentations are posted to the GLBTS Web Site at: http://www.epa.gov/greatlakes/bns/reports/stakesept2005/index.html.

Contacts: Ted Smith (smith.edwin@epa.gov)
 U.S. EPA - GLNPO, (312) 353-6571
or
E.Marie Graziano (graziano.emarie@epa.gov)
U.S. EPA - GLNPO, (312) 886-6034 

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2005 Lake St. Clair Conference

Four-Party Agreement agencies [USEPA, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), Environment Canada, and the Ontario Ministry of Environment (MOE)] conducted the third biennial Lake St. Clair Conference from September 21^st to 22^nd, in Wallaceburg, Ontario, Canada. Environment Canada hosted the conference, the first time the event took place in Canada. GLNPO is in the process of producing the Conference Proceedings. Along with EC and USEPA, MDEQ and MOE helped to organize and moderate the two-day session. The conference highlighted Lake St. Clair environmental monitoring, research, and the implementation of management actions to preserve, restore, and maintain the physical, biological, and chemical integrity of Lake St. Clair. The goal of the Conference was to facilitate information exchange across several themes:

• Land and water-resource uses;
• Environmental monitoring of contaminant sources/trends;
• Human health;
• Fish and wildlife health in the watershed;
• Habitat and biodiversity; and
• Physical conditions and processes.

Approximately 175 people attended the conference, which featured 43 speakers from the United States, Canada, and Walpole Island (First Nation). 

Contact: Rosanne Ellison (ellison.rosanne@epa.gov)
U.S. EPA - GLNPO, (734) 692-7689