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In this Issue:
Habitat Restoration
- Conserving Bald Eagle Habitats
- LaMP-based Biodiversity Conservation Strategy Workshop
- Great Lake Regional Collaboration Wetlands Initiative
Pollution Prevention
- Roll-out of Wood Boiler Program Erie County
- Erie County Dental Waste Management Project
- Great Lakes Green Chemistry Network Kickoff Meeting
Sediment Remediation
- Ruddiman Creek Great Lakes Legacy Project Receives Award
- Legacy Act Article in LakeLine
- Fourth International Conference on Remediation of Contaminated Sediments
Invasive Species
Monitoring
- Developing PBT Monitoring in Mexico
- Trinational Quality Assurance Workshop
- Lake Huron Cooperative Monitoring Great Lakes Cooperative Science Initiative
- 2007 Surface Water Monitoring and Standards (SWiMS) Meeting
- Drinking Water Monitoring Grant Kick-Off Meeting, Mt. Clemens, MI
- Waterborne Pathogen Seminars
Outreach / Education
Lakewide Management Plans (LaMPS)
Significant Activities Report:
January - March 2007
Habitat Restoration
 Bald Eagle returns to its nest (Photo courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) |
Conserving Bald Eagle Habitats
In January 2007, the St. Lawrence Bald Eagle Working
Group, at the request of the United States-Canada Lake Ontario Lakewide
Management Plan (LaMP), released the report, “Conserving Lake Ontario and
Upper St. Lawrence River Bald Eagle Habitats.” The Working Group is
comprised of government and non-government agencies, groups and individuals
working together in a variety of ways to promote conservation of bald eagles
through monitoring, research, management, information exchange, assistance
on bald eagle-related projects, and scientific review/consultation regarding
bald eagles. The report describes 40 shoreline locations with potential high
quality bald eagle nesting habitats and recommends specific bald eagle
population restoration goals. The geographic scope of the project was
limited to the eastern Lake Ontario basin and the Upper St. Lawrence River
where the highest quality habitat and the greatest amount of bald eagle
activity are currently found.
The Working Group reviewed available bald eagle research and identified three major predictors of quality bald eagle nesting and foraging sites:
- More than 260 hectares of contiguous forest,
- Sites located less than 1.5 kilometers from wetlands, rivers or lakes, and
- Sites close to wetlands, lakes, or rivers covering more than 30 hectares.
A GIS habitat computer model was used to identify where these habitat features or parameters occur together. The model identified 40 shoreline sites that meet these criteria. The sites will be field checked in 2007 to confirm the modeling results.
Initial conservation goals developed by the Working Group will measure progress in restoring bald eagle habitat. The goals are:
- By 2016, at least 10 shoreline nesting territories are established.
- By 2016, at least five Canadian and five United States priority sites totaling more than 5,000 hectares are protected.
- 80 percent of bald eagle nesting pairs should fledge one or more eaglets per year.
The Working Group will continue the project throughout 2007. Financial support has been provided by GLNPO and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.
Contacts: Karen
Rodriguez (rodriguez.karen@epa.gov)
U.S. EPA - GLNPO (312) 353-2690
or Fred Luckey
(luckey.frederick@epa.gov)
U.S. EPA - Region II (212) 637-3853
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LaMP-based Biodiversity Conservation Strategy Workshop
GLNPO and EPA Region 2 staff attended the third workshop of the
“LaMP-based Biodiversity Conservation Strategy for Lake Ontario” February 28th
to March 1st, 2007 in Buffalo, New York. Attended by more than 50
people from Canadian and U.S. federal, state/provincial agencies and
non-governmental organizations, the workshop focused on prioritizing
strategies to deal with threats to biodiversity targets identified in the
first two workshops. Six threats were analyzed in breakout sessions:
- Climate change,
- Current and new invasive species,
- Dams and barriers,
- Unsustainable development,
- Non-point source inputs, and
- Point source pollution.
For each threat, endpoints, broad strategies to get to endpoints, key outputs, and action steps were identified. The results of all three workshops will be incorporated into the Lakewide Management Plan for Lake Ontario.
Contacts:
Mario DelVicario (delvicario.mario@epa.gov)
U.S. EPA - Region II (212) 637-3779
Fred Luckey
(luckey.frederick@epa.gov)
U.S. EPA - Region II (212) 637-3853
or Karen
Rodriguez (rodriguez.karen@epa.gov)
U.S. EPA - GLNPO (312) 353-2690
Great Lake Regional Collaboration Wetlands Initiative
As a first step toward achieving Great Lakes Regional Collaboration
(GLRC) goals, the Great Lakes Wetlands Initiative will promote on-the-ground
activities to protect and restore 200,000 acres of wetlands in the Great
Lakes basin. This initiative is designed to accelerate efforts to protect
and restore Great lakes wetlands by connecting partners, programs, funding
and projects. The key elements of the initiative are:
- Bring partners together to work on wetlands restoration;
- Connect partners with necessary information on programs, funding and potential projects to make wetland restoration happen; and
- Monitor progress towards Great lakes Wetlands Initiative goals.
The Subcommittee of the GLRC Executive Committee will oversee implementation of this initiative.
Contact: Rita
Cestaric (cestaric.rita@epa.gov)
U.S. EPA - GLNPO (312) 886-6815
Pollution Prevention
 Outdoor wood boiler (Photo courtesy of Washington State Department of Ecology) |
Roll-Out of Wood Boiler Program
Outdoor wood boilers are increasing at a rapid rate because they provide a
cheap source of heat and hot water. It is expected that there will be about
500,000 of these units by 2010. Unfortunately, they emit over 10 times the
PM2.5 particulates and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as wood stoves.
(Residential wood combustion is the largest source of benzo(a)pyrene
emissions.). EPA rolled out a two-part strategy on January 29, 2007 for
addressing the emissions from these wood boilers:
Part 1 is a voluntary program with 10 boiler manufacturers, who make 80% of the units sold in the United States and have agreed to bring out at least one unit meeting new performance specifications beginning in April 2007. These performance specifications require that emissions be 70% lower than from models currently on the market. EPA developed the voluntary program with input from boiler manufacturers, states and an industry trade group. The cleaner models will be marked by an orange hang tag showing that the unit meets the program requirements.
Part 2 is a model rule that state and local governments can use to address wood boilers in their areas. EPA provided technical and financial support to a coalition of Northeast states for the development of this model rule. That coalition, Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use management, made this rule available on January 29, 2007.
Information about outdoor wood boilers and the voluntary partnership is available on the Internet at: http://www.epa.gov/woodheaters. This site offers information about choosing cleaner, more efficient outdoor wood-fired boilers and using these outdoor wood-fired boilers more efficiently and safely.
Contact:
Steven Rosenthal (rosenthal.steven@epa.gov)
U.S. EPA - Region V (312) 886-6052
 Dental waste can be a source of mercury, lead, and silver |
Erie County Dental Waste Management Project
Funded by a grant from GLNPO, Erie County, New York conducted an Erie County
Dental Waste Management Project. Three workshops were held in Erie County
(north, south & east of Buffalo) and one was held in Niagara County to
provide information on dental waste management, focusing on proper disposal
of mercury-bearing wastes. Lead and silver wastes were included as well.
Outreach materials included Best Management Practices for Dental Amalgam,
the Naval Institute of Dental and Biomedical Research video, information on
amalgam/mercury recycling contractors, amalgam separator equipment vendors,
New York State’s regulatory text detailing its Standards for the Management
of Elemental Mercury and Dental Amalgam Wastes at Dental Facilities, the
American Dental Association’s Dental Mercury Hygiene recommendations and
information on the County’s Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator
program. Grant resources allowed for five collections. Total quantities of
waste collected were as follows:
| waste item | quantity |
|---|---|
| Amalgam: | 229 lbs. |
| Amalgam capsules: | 45 lbs. |
| Mercury: | 82 lbs. |
| Lead foil: | 554 lbs. |
| Silver fixer: | 173 gal. |
| Line Traps: | 184 |
| Lead Aprons: | 16 |
| X-ray heads: | 4 |
| Silver: | 1 lb. |
| Lead boxes: | 1 |
| Sphygmomanometers: | 4 |
Contact:
E. Marie Wines (wines.emarie@epa.gov)
U.S. EPA - GLNPO (312) 886-6034
Great Lakes Green Chemistry Network Kickoff Meeting
A kickoff meeting of the Great Lakes Green Chemistry Network was held
February 28, 2007. The Mission of the Green Chemistry network is to create
a partnership between academia, industry, government and non-governmental
organizations to establish green chemistry practices in the binational Great
Lakes region. The goals of the Green Chemistry Network are to:
- Create a Great Lakes Green Chemistry Research Network
- Identify academic institutions in the Great Lakes dedicated to Green Chemistry research.
- Identify industries involved in Green Chemistry R&D
- Hold regular “industry showcases” where academics describe their research and industry presents their needs.
- Create “niche Green Chemistry Scholarships” in Great Lakes academic institutions, and
- Enable the creation of a Great Lakes Green Chemistry Industrial Sabbatical Program
Workgroup members include representatives from industry, non-governmental organizations and the academic community as well as all levels of government.
Contact: Ted Smith
(smith.edwin@epa.gov)
U.S. EPA - GLNPO (312) 353-6571
Sediment Remediation
 Part of Ruddiman Creek shortly after remediation |
Ruddiman Creek Great Lakes Legacy Project
Receives Award
The Michigan Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA) awarded
its Project of the Year Award (Environment $10 - $100 Million category) to
the
Ruddiman Creek
Great Lakes Legacy Act Sediment Clean-up Project. The plaque will be awarded
at the annual meeting in Boyne City, Michigan in May. The recipients of the
award are: U.S. EPA GLNPO, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality,
Environmental Quality Management and Earth Tech. The project is now eligible
for the national APWA Project of the Year award.
Contacts: Marc
Tuchman (tuchman.marc@epa.gov)
U.S. EPA - GLNPO (312) 353-1369
or Susan Boehme
(boehme.susan@epa.gov)
U.S. EPA - GLNPO (312) 353-4383
Legacy Act Article in LakeLine
The Fall 2006 volume of LakeLine (a publication of the North American
Lake Management Society) included an EPA Commentary by David Cowgill and
Marc Tuchman. The article describes GLNPO's Great Lakes Legacy Act and the
projects that have been completed to date.
Contacts: Marc
Tuchman (tuchman.marc@epa.gov)
U.S. EPA - GLNPO (312) 353-1369
or David Cowgill
(cowgill.david@epa.gov)
U.S. EPA - GLNPO (312) 353-3576
Fourth International Conference on
Remediation of Contaminated Sediments
During the week of January 22, 2007, members of the GLNPO Sediment Team
traveled to Savannah, Georgia to attend the Fourth International Conference
on Remediation of Contaminated Sediments, hosted by Battelle. Team members
participated in a variety of short courses, panel discussions, and attended
numerous platform presentations. The conference topics encompassed virtually
all facets of the sediment remediation field, ranging from the modeling of
fate and transport of contaminants to innovative technologies and
remediation lessons learned. A Great Lakes platform session was co-chaired
by Marc Tuchman of GLNPO and Mike Alexander from the Michigan Department of
Environmental Quality. Marc Tuchman presented an overview of the Great Lakes
Legacy Act, highlighting the continued accomplishments of the program. In
this session, Mike Alexander of MDEQ presented an overview of the successful
remediation of
Ruddiman Creek
and Pond, Dave Wethington described the baseline assessment of the
Ashtabula River,
and Lou Blume spoke on the Quality Management
Program for the Great Lakes
Legacy Act.
Contact: Marc
Tuchman (tuchman.marc@epa.gov)
U.S. EPA - GLNPO (312) 353-1369
Dave Wethington
(wethington.david@epa.gov)
U.S. EPA - GLNPO (312) 886-1437
or Lou Blume
(blume.louis@epa.gov)
U.S. EPA - GLNPO (312) 353-2317
 Hemimysis anomala (Photo courtesy of NOAA-GLERL) |
Hemimysis: New Great Lakes
Invader
Steve Pothoven of NOAA’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory
gave a presentation titled: “Hemimysis anomala - the newest Great
Lakes invader” on January 11, 2007. GLNPO was able to make the presentation
available as a Webcast, during which information was shared about the
discovery of Hemimysis in the Muskegon boat basin in November of
2006. It was also found in Lake Ontario in the spring of 2006 in the
nearshore zone over a rocky bottom. This "Bloody Red Mysid," native to the
Ponto-Caspian region, is so named because of its reddish coloration. It
prefers shallow dark nearshore habitats associated with structures and has a
potentially high expansion potential due to its reproductive abilities.
Hemimysis is omnivorous, giving it the potential to affect both
zooplankton and phytoplankton populations, and it may serve as a new prey
item for some species of fish. Its full impact will depend on its
distribution and abundance, but confirmation of current distribution is
difficult due to its evasive lifestyle. GLNPO has offered to sample shallow
reefs encountered during the Lake Guardian's spring survey for signs of
Hemimysis, and other scientists across the basin will look for the
invader during the course of their normal research as well.
Contacts:
Chiara Zuccarino-Crowe (zuccarino-crowe.chiara@epa.gov)
U.S. EPA - GLNPO (312) 886-6793
or Marc Tuchman (tuchman.marc@epa.gov)
U.S. EPA - GLNPO (312) 353-1369
Monitoring
Developing PBT Monitoring in Mexico
GLNPO’s Melissa Hulting attended the Workshop to Develop Mexico’s
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program in Cuernavaca, Mexico, on
February 13th to 15th, 2007. The integration of
persistent bioaccumulative toxics (PBT) monitoring in North America is being
coordinated by the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC), and a
major project under this broader effort is implementing a system for
monitoring PBTs in Mexico. Over the past several months there have been a
series of conference calls and meetings to discuss different tasks that
would need to be done to establish such monitoring (i.e., infrastructure
needed, laboratory capacity, possible locations of satellite sites). The
meeting in Cuernavaca, attended by over 50 people, brought a broader group
of participants together to provide input to the direction of the program,
especially from Mexican representatives. The short-term output of this
project will be a proposal to the Global Environment Fund to jump-start the
Mexican monitoring program. Discussions are being conducted within the
Mexican government to gain long-term buy-in.
Contact:
Melissa Hulting (hulting.melissa@epa.gov)
U.S. EPA - GLNPO (312) 886-2265
Trinational Quality Assurance
Workshop
Approximately 25 government and private laboratory representatives from
Canada, Mexico and the U.S. attended a 3-day quality assurance workshop
February 23rd to 25th at Environment Canada’s Center
for Atmospheric Research Experiments in Egbert, Ontario. The workshop was
initiated by the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) as part of
its Environmental Monitoring and Assessment effort. The agenda included
presentations on existing monitoring programs and laboratory expertise in
the 3 countries (including one covering GLNPO’s PBT monitoring programs);
tours of laboratory and sampling facilities; and discussion of a recent
tri-national laboratory study that involved analysis of the U.S.-Canada
Integrated Atmospheric Depossition Network’s common reference standards for
PCBs, organochlorine pesticides, and PAHs and a split air sample from
Veracruz, Mexico. Initial results from the inter-laboratory study, which
were promising in terms of the comparability of the results, were discussed,
and a final report will be distributed following finalization of the study
data. Standard operating procedures and quality assurance plans were
exchanged during and in following up to the workshop. Workshop participants
recommended that further inter-laboratory comparison activities be conducted
and that a Trinational Quality Assurance Program Plan be drafted; funds for
such work will be requested in the CEC’s 2008 Operational Plan.
Contact:
Melissa Hulting (hulting.melissa@epa.gov)
U.S. EPA - GLNPO (312) 886-2265
 Hammond Bay harbor of refuge on Lake Huron |
Lake Huron Cooperative Monitoring
Planning continues for this year’s Lake Huron Cooperative
Monitoring/Intensive Monitoring field year. On February 5th and 6th
principal investigators from Environment Canada, Canada Department of
Fisheries and Oceans, U.S. Geological Survey, NOAA, U.S. EPA – ORD:MED
Duluth and U.S. EPA –GLNPO met to discuss station selection, scheduling and
coordination of operations among the groups. Because of recent changes in
the Lake Huron ecosystem, including greatly reduced fish and plankton
populations and near-complete loss of the amphipod, Diporeia sp.,
much of the work will focus on assessing the food web and trying to
determine the causes of the changes. The lake will be visited several times
throughout the year by ships from the U.S. and Canada to support sampling
activities.
Contacts:
Glenn Warren (warren.glenn@epa.gov)
U.S. EPA - GLNPO (312) 886-2405
or James Schardt
(schardt.james@epa.gov)
U.S. EPA - GLNPO (312) 353-5085
Great Lakes Cooperative Science
Initiative
The initial meeting to develop a Great Lakes Cooperative Science Initiative
(Great Lakes CSI) took place in Ann Arbor, Michigan on February 6th
and 7th, 2007. This effort, undertaken pursuant to a Binational
Executive Committee directive, will try to develop a framework that will
identify areas of potential research cooperation based on shared issues and
interests among agencies. The meeting was attended by representatives of
Environment Canada, Canada Department of Fisheries and Oceans, U.S.
Geological Survey, NOAA and U.S. EPA, and will be followed by a number of
meetings and workshops throughout the Great Lakes basin.
Contacts:
Paul Horvatin (horvatin.paul@epa.gov)
U.S. EPA - GLNPO (312) 353-3612
or Glenn Warren (warren.glenn@epa.gov)
U.S. EPA - GLNPO (312) 886-2405
 Sampling for PPCPs in fish from the Chicago River |
2007 Surface Water Monitoring and
Standards (SWiMS) Meeting
On January 31, 2007, GLNPO staff presented information at the 2007 SWiMS
meeting on studies of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) and
other emerging contaminants in the Chicago waterways. The presentation
focused on the ongoing collaborations between U.S. EPA GLNPO, Region 5, the
Chicago Regional Laboratory, and Office of Water; U.S. Geological Survey;
U.S. Department of Agriculture; Baylor University; and the Metropolitan
Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago to assess the occurrence and
fate of emerging contaminants in the Chicago waterways. The SWiMS meeting is
an annual State/Tribal/EPA technical coordinators meeting aimed at sharing
monitoring successes and challenges, learning about the most up-to-date
scientific information, and discussing programmatic issues. SWiMS 2007
attracted approximately 200 participants. All of the presentation materials
from SWiMS are available on-line at
http://www.epa.gov/region5/water/wqb/swims.htm
Contacts:
Todd Nettesheim (nettesheim.todd@epa.gov)
U.S. EPA - GLNPO (312) 353-9153
or Beth Murphy
(murphy.elizabeth@epa.gov)
U.S. EPA - GLNPO (312) 353-4227
Drinking Water Monitoring
Grant Kick-Off Meeting, Mt. Clemens, Michigan
On Jan. 31, 2007, Rose Ellison, GLNPO Project Officer for the Macomb/St.
Clair Drinking Water Quality grant attended the project kick-off meeting.
The Drinking Water Quality project is designed to provide real-time
monitoring data at eight water-intake plants along the St. Clair River and
Lake St. Clair to help warn against spill events and other threats to
drinking water supplies. A complementary effort lead by the Michigan
Department of Environmental Quality is providing an additional four stations
in Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River. Calibration and “shake down” of
monitoring equipment for the Macomb/St. Clair portion of the project began
in January 2007 and will continue throughout Spring 2007. The entire system
is expected to be on-line by Summer 2007.
Contact: Rose
Ellison (ellison.rosanne@epa.gov)
U.S. EPA - Large Lakes [Michigan] (734) 692-7689
Waterborne Pathogen Seminars
David Rockwell has been invited to join a group of Water Fellows in
addressing the issue of waterborne pathogens in Michigan and their effects
on beaches, and will participate in a seminar series sponsored by Michigan
State University (MSU). The purpose of the six workshops is to learn about
sources, pathways, and impacts of pathogens in water and to discuss
potential solutions. MSU goals are to characterize the issues regarding
pathogens in Michigan, examine methods and solutions to address those
issues, and to develop a framework for monitoring pathogens. The application
of this information to the $500,000 Pilot Sanitary Survey grants in six
states will be of value to the agency as USEPA seeks to assist beach mangers
to identify sources of pathogens affecting the swim ability at sixty U.S.
beaches.
Contact: David Rockwell
(rockwell.david@epa.gov)
U.S. EPA - GLNPO (312) 353-1373
Outreach / Education
 Family enjoying a Lake Superior beach |
Outreach Events
On February 14, 2007 Lake
Superior Lakewide Management Plan Manager Liz LaPlante presented The
Great Lakes National Program Office and Careers in the Environmental Field
as part of Career Day at Holmes Junior High School in Mount Prospect,
Illinois. In the presentation Ms. LaPlante shared with students the broad
scope of pressing environmental problems of the day and the EPA’s approach
to solving them. Ms. LaPlante encouraged students to consider careers in the
environmental field, which they can prepare for through internships,
volunteer projects, and learning about emerging environmental issues. The
students were particularly interested in the
R/V Lake Guardian,
aquatic invasive species (especially sea lamprey and
Asian Carp), global
warming, and salary potential in the environmental field. Upon learning
about GLNPO’s collaborative work with Environment Canada, the French teacher
was enthused to hear of the usefulness of school-taught language in
real-world professions.
Contact:
Elizabeth LaPlante (laplante.elizabeth@epa.gov)
U.S. EPA - GLNPO (312) 353-2694
On Sunday, February 23, 2007, Liz LaPlante and Melissa Simon, an associate of the Oak Ridge Institute of Science Education (ORISE) traveled to Buffalo Grove, Illinois. There they spoke to 30 members of the Peacemakers Committee at Kingswood United Methodist Church. In the presentation titled Protecting, Restoring, Enjoying Our Great Lakes, they provided an overview of Great Lakes history, past and present environmental challenges, and successful initiatives to restore the basin ecosystem. Simon provided examples of successful environmental projects carried out by local faith groups and also offered recommendations for future activities for the Kingswood Church. Discussion focused on energy conservation, pollution prevention, and resource use. Participants were particularly interested in the presence of chemical contaminants and the effects of agriculture on Lake Michigan.
Contact:
Elizabeth LaPlante (laplante.elizabeth@epa.gov)
U.S. EPA - GLNPO (312) 353-2694
 Judy Beck speaks to students at Elmwood Elementary School, New Berlin,Wisconsin |
Judy Beck (GLNPO) and Melissa Simon (ORISE) spoke to sixth-grade students at the Elmwood Elementary School in New Berlin, Wisconsin about Lake Michigan’s environmental challenges and what they can do to help. Communication between the school and GLNPO was initiated by three students seeking assistance on their interactive project titled What environmental impacts do individuals, families, communities, business, and governments have on Lake Michigan? GLNPO has supplied educational materials and hosted a videoconference to help the students. The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewage District was also contacted by GLNPO to donate additional learning materials to the school, including rain gauges and a rain barrel. While at the school, Beck and Simon viewed a presentation of the project. Simon engaged students in an interactive lesson on watershed stewardship and non-point source pollution using a model provided by U.S. EPA Region 5’s Office of Public Affairs.
Contacts: Judy
Beck (beck,judy@epa.gov)
U.S. EPA - GLNPO (312) 353-3849
or Melissa Simon
(simon.melissa@epa.gov)
U.S. EPA - GLNPO (312) 866-0995
On February 12th, Erin Newman (U.S. EPA Region 5 Air Division) spoke and Jessica Winter (GLNPO-ECO Intern) presented a poster on methods for reducing the practice of household trash burning at the National Air Quality Conference in Orlando, Florida. About 70 people attended Erin’s talk on the first day of the conference, and dozens more visited the poster and requested copies of the "Learn Not To Burn" CD resource kit. At least 30 CDs were distributed, along with copies of the poster and brochures. Most of the interested parties were state and local air department outreach coordinators who will help distribute the information to county and township officials who can implement local programs to cut back on trash burning in their communities. Additionally, EPA’s Office of Air Quality Planning & Standards is planning to develop a CD like GLNPO’s on wood stoves in the coming months.
Contacts: Erin
Newman (newman.erin@epa.gov)
U.S. EPA - Region V (312) 886-4587
or Jessica Winter
(winter.jessica@epa.gov)
U.S. EPA - GLNPO (312) 353-3212
On February 24th, GLNPO’s Susan Boehme had planned to give a presentation and join a panel on pharmaceutical disposal issues at the American College of Preventive Medicine Annual Meeting in Miami, Florida. Due to the inclement weather, Susan did not attend the meeting, but Lara Polansky (University of Miami student and intern who began this project last summer here in GLNPO), was able to step in and give the presentation. Lara reported back that the audience seemed very interested in the issue and asked numerous questions afterwards. Susan received 2 emails from audience members within hours of the Saturday afternoon session requesting more information and resource kits.
Contacts: Susan Boehme
(boehme.susan@epa.gov)
U.S. EPA - GLNPO (312) 353-4383
or Jessica Winter
(winter.jessica@epa.gov)
U.S. EPA - GLNPO (312) 353-3212
Newly Elected GLEAMS Officers
GLNPO’s Elizabeth Hinchey Malloy and Jacqueline Adams were elected to serve
as 2006-2007 officers of the Great Lakes Aquatic and Marine Science
Educators (GLEAMS). Hinchey Malloy is the current GLEAMS President and
GLEAMS Chapter Representative to the National Marine Educators Association
board. Adams is the current GLEAMS Membership Secretary. GLEAMS is a
supportive network of aquatic science professionals from many fields,
working together for the advancement of aquatic education. GLEAMS provides
educators with information, methods and materials for including
water-related content and activities into their curricula. GLEAMS members
also learn of opportunities to network and connect with marine and aquatic
science educators throughout the Great Lakes region and beyond. Visit the
GLEAMS web site (http://www.sheddaquarium.org/gleams
) to learn more.
Contacts:
Elizabeth Hinchey Malloy (hinchey.elizabeth@epa.gov)
U.S. EPA - GLNPO (312) 886-3451
or Jacqueline
Adams (adams.jacqueline@epa.gov)
U.S. EPA - GLNPO (312) 353-7203
Lakewide Management Plans (LaMPS)
 Duluth Lift Bridge, a local landmark |
Planning is under way for Making a Great Lake SUPERIOR 2007: a Conference Linking Research, Education, and Management, which will take place in Duluth, Minnesota, October 29 – 31, 2007. The first of its kind, the conference will bring together researchers, resource managers, elected officials, educators, policy makers, government staff, Tribe members, and citizen activists from throughout the Lake Superior basin from both the US and Canada. For 3 days participants will report out on, collaborate, network, plan for and learn about the state of the lake and the actions necessary for its continued protection and restoration. Topics will include climate change, AoCs, monitoring, sustainable development, human health, habitat management, watershed stewardship, and toxic management. The call for participation is currently posted on the conference website and the conference planning committee has received its first batch of proposals for presentations. The committee is currently selecting a key note speaker. The committee is also working on involving the Lake Superior Binational Forum and the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Mayors Initiative in organizing the event. The conference website is: http://www.seagrant.umn.edu/superior2007/
Contact:
Elizabeth LaPlante (laplante.elizabeth@epa.gov)
U.S. EPA - GLNPO (312) 353-2694
 Northland College President Karen Halbersleben describes the College’s sustainable design features |
The Lake Superior Binational Forum is funded by a GLNPO grant and works closely with the Superior Workgroup, a team of representatives from state and federal agencies from the US and Canada. The Forum held a public input session and meeting in January, 2007, in Ashland, Wisconsin, titled Taking Natural Steps into Economic and Environmental Sustainability. The meeting was to discuss a sustainability model called The Natural Step which is currently in use in Sweden. Over 80 people attended, including students, politicians, business leaders, Tribes members, mayors, and city officials.
Northland College President Karen Halbersleben described what the college is doing to implement sustainable design features and practices on the college’s campus in Ashland, Wisconsin. Washburn Mayor Irene Blakely described actions city staff and council are taking to promote and implement sustainable practices. Blakely and the Washburn city council led the way to be the first municipality in the United States to pass an eco-municipality resolution that pledges to incorporate sustainable practices in all city operations.
Erv Soulier of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa gave a presentation on what the Tribe is doing to implement sustainability practices on the reservation. There were also presentations by local business and community leaders, including that of a local hotel owner who remodeled using green metrics. The forum meeting included a tour of Sustainable Northland College, including a “green” residence hall, solar heated swimming pool, cafeteria composting machine, wind generator, and geo-thermal heating/cooling system.
Contact:
Elizabeth LaPlante (laplante.elizabeth@epa.gov)
U.S. EPA - GLNPO (312) 353-2694