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Significant Activities Report:
March 2002
International Activities
 Great Lakes and Baltic Sea Partnership Logo |
Scientific
Exchange with Baltic Sea Scientists
On February 21st, Tony Kizlauskas, Marc Tuchman and Karen Rodriguez of
GLNPO kicked-off a workshop of U.S. Great Lakes and Baltic scientists
in Chicago, Illinois as part of the Baltic Fellows Program. This
program facilitates the exchange of expertise on environmental issues
between Great Lakes and Baltic environmental professionals and
scientists. This is beneficial to both sides, since the Great Lakes
and the Baltic Sea face similar environmental threats. Tony Kizlauskas
gave an introduction to the Great Lakes and the Great Lakes Program.
Marc Tuchman and Karen gave a joint presentation on the background of
Invasive Species issues in the Great Lakes. The workshop specifically
focused on Invasive Species issues, with other presenters from the
Great Lakes Commission; Illinois/Indiana Sea Grant; and Wisconsin Sea
Grant. The Baltic Fellows also provided a brief overview of their
respective activities. After their Chicago workshop, the Baltic
scientists traveled to Washington, DC to visit with USEPA scientists
there.
More information on the Great Lakes and Baltic Sea Partnership and the Baltic Fellows Program is available on the Internet at:
http://www.epa.gov/glnpo/baltic/index.html
Contact: Tony
Kizlauskas, U.S. EPA - GLNPO (312) 353-8773
Marc Tuchman, U.S. EPA -
GLNPO (312) 353-1369
Karen Rodriguez, U.S. EPA
- GLNPO (312) 353-2690
 North Shore of Lake Superior |
Lake Restoration Plan Updates Set for Earth Day Release
On Earth Day – April 22, 2002 – the Lakewide Management Plan
2002 Updates for Lakes Superior, Erie, Huron, Michigan and Ontario are
scheduled for release. These updates will report on the progress made
over the last two years in achieving the goals and objectives of the
2000 Lakewide Management Plans (LaMP). In accordance with the
directive from the Binational Executive Committee, LaMP updates are to
be released every two years to track the progress of critical
pollutant reduction and ecosystem system restoration and protection.
The LaMP 2000 document presented a strategic ecosystem management plan
for each lake and detailed projects and processes designed to achieve
the overall goals.
In reporting progress, each LaMP emphasizes different programs and projects, reflecting the unique priorities and characteristics of each lake. Lake Superior, for example, concentrates on the progress of "zero discharge" of nine critical pollutants, and on the development of the broader ecosystem objectives – especially sustainability. Lake Huron reports on contaminated sediment dredging and remediation activities in Saginaw Bay, environmental indicators, and the development of a GIS-decision support system to better manage important tributary habitat. The Lake Michigan LaMP has proven a leader in the area of beach closings, monitoring and education/outreach. Lake Erie reports on its preliminary selection of an ecosystem alternative, the dynamic status of its aquatics, fisheries and habitats, and its future plans for LaMP implementation. Lake Ontario reports on adoption of ecosystem indicators for the lake; beneficial use impairments; current status of levels of critical pollutants; sources and loadings of critical pollutants; and trackdown/remedial actions in the watershed.
Contact: Lake Superior:
Elizabeth LaPlante,
U.S. EPA - Region 5 (312) 353-2694
Lake Michigan: Judy
Beck, U.S. EPA - Region 5 (312) 353-3849
Lake Huron: James Schardt,
U.S. EPA - GLNPO (312) 353-5085
Lake Erie: Dan O'Riordan,
U.S. EPA - Region 5 (312) 886-7981
Lake Ontario: Barbara Belasco,
U.S. EPA - Region 2 (212) 637-3848
Sediment Work
 White Lake Public Advisory Committee logo |
Tannery
Bay Sediment Cleanup to Begin
A Consent Agreement was reached between the Michigan Department of
Environmental Quality and Genesco, Inc. to remediate over 70,000 cubic
yards of contaminated sediments in White Lake, Michigan. The agreement
calls for Genesco to contribute $3.5 million and the State to provide
$3.1 million in Clean Michigan Initiative Funds. In an effort to help
jump start the project, GLNPO provided a $500,000 grant in 1999 to
MDEQ towards the cleanup. The State's consultant is currently
developing the bids and specs for the project, with dredging slated to
begin in mid-May of 2002.
Contact: Marc Tuchman, U.S. EPA - GLNPO (312) 353-1369
 Indiana Harbor Canal Entrance |
Indiana
Harbor Dredging Project Continues to Advance
The project to restore navigation depths and remove some of the
most grossly contaminated sediments in any U.S. waterway is advancing
toward start-up. The Indiana Harbor Canal in Northwest Indiana was
last dredged in 1972 and extensive contaminated sediment deposits have
built up from past discharges from heavy industry in the area.
Extensive monitoring will accompany the project in order to safeguard
the public and the environment from the dredging project. The U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers is conducting background air contaminant
sampling at the dredged material disposal site. This data will be
compared to air monitoring data collected after dredging and disposal
of Indiana Harbor sediments begins at the site to determine if future
dredging and disposal activities are impacting local air quality.
USEPA Region 5's Air Monitoring Branch (George Bollweg and Motria
Poshyvanyk) have provided significant support on this project and is
working closely with the Corps to review the data and develop
screening-level values to include on the web site for comparison
purposes.
The Corps of Engineers has posted the results from their initial round of background air contaminant sampling on their Web site at:
http://www.lrc.usace.army.mil/topics/IHC/air/main.htm
Initial review of the data indicates that the air contaminant concentrations are comparable to other urban areas in the U.S.
Contact: Scott
Cieniawski, U.S. EPA - GLNPO (312) 353-9184
 Ottawa River, Ohio |
Initial
Risk Assessment of Lower Ottawa River Completed
An "Ecological Screening-Level Risk Assessment of the Lower
Ottawa River" was completed under GLNPO grant GL975080 by the
Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments. The study evaluated
potential risk for wildlife and aquatic life for multiple segments of
the lower nine miles of the Ottawa River near Toledo, Ohio. The
report's findings indicate that lead and PCBs consistently exceeded
the standard hazard quotient of 1.0 along multiple river miles for
both wildlife and aquatic life. It was noted that PCB and lead hot
spots were not co-located, suggesting different sources of
contamination within the river. It is recommended that this area be
further evaluated to test whether the chemicals of concern at this
site are truly having an impact and to help prioritize further
remedial options.
Contact: Demaree Collier, U.S. EPA - GLNPO (312) 886-0214
Ecosystems
 Wetland in Illinois Beach State Park |
Wetland
Scientists Meet
The Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands Consortium's Project Management
Team met during the first day of a 3-day Regional Workshop on
Bioassessment of Wetlands held at Kellogg Biological Station near
Kalamazoo, Michigan from March 4th to 6th. Several presenters updated
the group on efforts to develop a Geographic Information System-based
inventory of coastal wetlands from existing (but often incompatible)
data sources, a statistical framework for designing a monitoring plan,
and other Great Lakes coastal projects funded by EPA's Office of
Research and Development. Collaborators on upcoming pilot studies also
had the opportunity to coordinate work planned for the coming field
season. Consortium members also participated in the session the second
morning on bioassessment of Great Lakes coastal wetlands, which
included discussions on the use of coastal wetland plant and
invertebrate assemblages to develop Indices of Biological Integrity.
The bioassessment workshop was sponsored by USEPA Region 5, the
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, and Michigan State
University.
Contact: Duane Heaton, U.S. EPA - GLNPO (312) 886-6399
 Blackeyed Susan |
Michigan
Wildflower Conference
GLNPO staff were invited to speak at the 15th Annual Michigan
Wildflower Conference on March 4th at the Kellogg Center in East
Lansing, Michigan. The audience of about 150 people heard a
presentation describing the concept of Biodiversity Investment Areas
developed for the State of the Lakes Ecosystem Conferences, an
assessment of the values and condition of some of those areas, and a
description of stewardship activities that people who are investing in
these areas are undertaking around the basin. Well received, the
presentation generated discussions about the Detroit River National
Wildlife Refuge as the newest protection effort in the region, the use
of indicators to measure positive change in these areas, and plans to
identify inland Biodiversity Investment Areas.
Contact: Karen
Rodriguez, U.S. EPA - GLNPO (312) 353-2690
 New England Asters |
Natural Landscaping Benefits Explained
On February 19th, GLNPO, in partnership with Openlands Project and
Chicago Wilderness, hosted the Natural Landscaping Roundtable for
Large Properties. During this two-hour breakfast meeting, water and
air quality and stormwater control benefits from natural landscaping
topics were covered. Participants learned about the various programs
promoting natural
landscaping such as the Clean Air Counts Campaign (Delta Institute)
and Corporatelands Program (Openlands Project) and how natural
landscaping fits into the efforts of Chicago Wilderness. A case study
of natural landscaping at Tellabs corporate campuses was followed by
dynamic discussion. Forty people attended the meeting including
representatives from corporations, utilities and sanitary districts.
Each participant received a packet of information containing natural
landscaping tools including fact sheets, a video, and a native plant
CD. Followup to the meeting has included discussions with three large
landowners about new natural landscaping projects.
On March 6th, GLNPO staff conducted a workshop session on Natural Landscaping as part of the Indian General Assistance Program conference. Participants learned about the environmental benefits of natural landscaping as well as the variety of tools available to promote natural landscaping. Each participant received a packet of information including fact sheets, a video, and a native plant CD.
Contact: Danielle
Green U.S. EPA - GLNPO (312) 886-7594
Great Lakes Bat and Mine Protection and Restoration Project
Lauded
More than 25 mines were surveyed for bats during the winters of
1999/2000 and 2000/2001. Fourteen gates were constructed at ten
different mine sites. An estimated 400,000 bats have been protected by
this project. In addition, reopened and protected mines offer hundreds
of miles of additional mine passage, allowing bat populations to
expand. Some bats consume large quantities of insect
"pests," thereby reducing the need for application of
chemical pesticides in the Great Lakes basin.
The project's successes have gained national recognition. National Geographic Radio Expeditions was so excited by the bats and mines work that their reporters crawled down mine shafts, interviewed the Michigan partners, and recorded enough tape for a two-part series that aired June 5 and 6, 2001 on National Public Radio's Morning Edition, with more than six million listeners.
Classroom presentations, local lectures, community events, and local media coverage have also raised awareness. Nearby towns and communities have benefitted by learning why bats that live in their "backyard" are so important.
On a state and national level, Bat Conservation International produced the Bats of the Great Lakes Poster and distributed more than 10,000 copies to Great Lakes state agencies, federal government agencies, local tourist mines, and schools. The poster shows the types of bats found in the region, explains why bats are important to our economy and environment, and why bats hibernate in mines of the Great Lakes region.
A feature article about Great Lakes Bats and Mines was published in BATS Magazine (Winter 2000). Each issue reaches 15,000 people quarterly.
Contact: John Schneider, U.S. EPA - GLNPO (312) 886-0880
Monitoring and Research Activities
 GLNPO Scientists practice medical emergency procedures |
GLNPO
Shares Quality Assurance Expertise
GLNPO's Quality Assurance Manager participated in a team training
session to over 120 employees in the USEPA Office of Water's Office of
Science and Technology during the week of February 25th. Six separate
2-hour sessions were given during a three-day period. Material
presented from GLNPO's Quality System included its graded approaches
for assistance agreements as well as GLNPO's internal documentation
process for review and approval of quality documentation. Three
different examples of GLNPO Quality Documentation were presented that
covered modeling, secondary data, and research and monitoring for
invasive species. The examples used were GLNPO's "Great Lakes
Sediment Data Support" written by Scott Cieniawski and Demaree
Collier of GLNPO, the "Lake Erie Total Phosphorus Loads,
1996-2000," written by David Dolan through GLNPO Project Officer
David Rockwell, and the "Influence of Physical Factors and
Exotics on Diporeia" written by GLNPO Project Officer Robert
Beltran.
Contact: Lou Blume, U.S. EPA - GLNPO (312) 353-2317
 Research Vessel Lake Guardian |
Emergency
Medical Training for Shipboard Scientists
From March 4th through 7th, GLNPO scientific staff participated in
intensive emergency medical training. The Emergency Medical Response
Training course was taught by staff from the George Washington
University Hospital. Among the activities were many real-life
scenarios requiring diagnosis and treatment of injuries and medical
emergencies. Everyone was trained to start an IV, and administer
medication and oxygen, etc. The most physically taxing portion of the
training was carrying an adult, on a backboard, up from the engine
room. All of this training is necessary preparation for a shipboard
emergency aboard the GLNPO 180-foot research vessel, the R/V
Lake Guardian, since medical help may not be readily available
when the vessel is far from port.
Contact: Paul
Horvatin, U.S. EPA - GLNPO (312) 353-3612
Spring Survey of Lakes Set to Start
The Spring Water Quality Survey gets underway on March 27th and
will run through May 6th. All the Great Lakes will be visited, with
samples being taken to assess their chemical and biological health.
During the survey, USEPA Region 2, along with Canadian and US
scientists, will sample contaminants in the air and water of the Lake
Ontario basin from aboard GLNPO's 180-foot state-of-the-art research
ship, the R/V
Lake Guardian. The work will aid the science component of the
Lake Ontario LaMP. This begins what will be a very busy season for the
Lake Guardian and GLNPO scientists.
Contact: Glenn Warren, U.S. EPA - GLNPO (312) 886-2405
 Nearshore Lake Erie |
New
Lake Erie Study
Following up on the December 2001 meeting of leading Lake Erie
scientists from the U.S. and Canada, hosted by GLNPO, (See the January
2002 Significant Activities Report), a Request for Proposals (RFP)
was issued on January 14th, to support research into increasing
phosphorus concentrations and decreased oxygen levels in Lake Erie. In
response, a proposal was received from a consortium of 22 U.S. and
Canadian scientists. The proposal is currently being reviewed.
Great Lake scientists became concerned over an increasing Lake Erie "dead zone, " essentially devoid of oxygen in the Summer. Preliminary 2001 data shows dissolved oxygen concentrations in Lake Erie's central basin to be near the worst observed during the last 5 years, despite international success in reducing phosphorus loadings, phosphorus concentrations in the lake are increasing (observed through U.S. and Canadian monitoring). Reducing phosphorus loads should have reduced algae production and decomposition (which removes oxygen from the water), and resulted in higher dissolved oxygen concentrations. To understand and address this situation, GLNPO is shifting its program to develop missing information such as external phosphorus load calculations (completed in December); convene researchers to further explore the biological effects being seen in Lake Erie (also completed in December); initiate the special study for which the RFP was issued and the proposal was received; and integrate research and management efforts through the Lake Erie Lake Management Plan.
Contact: Glenn Warren, U.S. EPA - GLNPO (312) 886-2405
Outreach
 Tom Skinner, U.S. Great Lakes National Program Manager |
Great
Lakes Day in Washington
USEPA's Great Lakes National Program Manager, Tom Skinner,
addressed the Congressional Briefing which was part of the annual
Great Lakes Day in Washington, DC. This year's event took place on
March 14th. Tom laid out the plans of the U.S. Great Lakes Federal,
State, and Tribal environmental and resource agency partners to
protect and restore the Great Lakes. He described how the partners
would work more closely and how they would increase accountability to
ensure that their collective efforts were really having a positive
impact on the Great Lakes ecosystem. Other participants in the
briefing included John Mills, Tom's counterpart at Environment Canada.
John discussed how the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement between the
United States and Canada (the cornerstone of the binational Great
Lakes Program) could be strengthened.
Contact: Tony
Kizlauskas, U.S. EPA - GLNPO (312) 353-8773
Vicki Thomas, U.S. EPA -
GLNPO (312) 886-6942
 SHEMO |
SHEMO
on the Loose
On May 2nd, Paul Bertram and Nancy Stadler-Salt have been invited
to present SHEMO to several classes of students at the Rouge River
Water Festival. The festival is a one-day interactive experience for
nearly 3000 5th graders from the Detroit area, University of
Michigan-Dearborn. SHEMO is a whimsical way to tell the "Story of
the Great Lakes" from their creation to the present day. Paul and
Nancy's presentations have been well-receive by young and old. SHEMO
debuted at the 1996 State of the Lakes Ecosystem Conference in
Buffalo, New York. Although the story is told in a light-hearted
rhyme, it has a deeper, more important meaning: relating how the Great
Lakes were brought to the brink of collapse by pollution and
restoration efforts to bring them back to health.
Contact: Paul Bertram, U.S. EPA - GLNPO (312) 353-0153
Grants
FY2002 Grant Proposals Are In!
GLNPO received 192 proposals seeking $20.2 million in funding in
response to its December 20, 2001 competitive grant solicitation.
There is $2.9 million available for projects to be awarded from Fiscal
Year 2002 funding. The "FY2001-2002 USEPA Great Lakes National
Program Office Request for Proposals/Funding Guidance" (Funding
Guidance) requested that Proposals be developed in the areas of:
- Contaminated Sediments
- Pollution Prevention and Reduction
- Ecological (Habitat) Protection and Restoration
- Invasive Species
- Habitat Indicator Development; and
- Strategic or Emerging Issues
More than 1,500 postcards were mailed, an announcement was made to the "GLIN-Announce" and NACD listservers, notice was published in the Federal Register, and reminders were distributed on February 8th and 11th via e-mail and GLIN-announce. The RFP is available on the Internet at:
http://www.epa.gov/glnpo/fund/2002guid
The following tables summarize proposal submissions for the past 3 years:
By Type of Organization Submitting Proposal
| Type of Organization |
FY2000 (Number and Percent of Total) |
FY2001 (Number and Percent of Total) |
FY2002 (Number and Percent of Total) |
| State Agencies | 39 / 15% | 53 / 22% | 30 / 16% |
| Universities | 86 / 33% | 81 / 33% | 74 / 39% |
| Federal Agencies or Research Centers | 38 / 15% | 30 / 12% | 10 / 5% |
| Tribal Organizations | 6 / 2% | 4 / 2% | 6 / 3% |
| Counties, Municipalities, and Special Purpose Districts | 26 / 10% | 30 / 12% | 18 / 9% |
| Not_for_profits and Others | 66 / 25% | 44 / 18% |
54 / 28%
|
| Totals | 261 | 242 | 192 |
By SUBJECT CATEGORY
| Category |
FY2000 (Number and Requested Funding) |
FY2001 | FY2002 |
| Contaminated Sediments | 65 / $10.3M | 59 / $9.1M | 51 / $8.4M |
| Pollution Prevention and Reduction | 61 / $5.9M | 36 / $2.5M | 31 / $2.5M |
| Ecological (Habitat) | 71 / $6.2M | 55 / $5.1M | 49 / $3.9M |
| Invasive Species | 30 / $2.9M | 29 / $2.3M | 27 / $2.5M |
| Strategic/Emerging Issues | 34 / $5.4M | 40 / $5.3M | 29 / $2.8M |
| Indicators | n/a | 23 / $2.5M | 4 / $170,000 |
By Lake Affected by Proposed Project
| Lake* | # Proposals | Funding Requested |
|
Erie |
90 | $10.3M |
|
Huron |
58 | $5.7M |
|
Michigan |
98 | $9.9M |
| Ontario | 67 | $6.8M |
|
Superior |
77 | $7.6M |
|
*Each Lake’s total below includes 41 proposals applicable to "All Lakes." |
||
The proposals received in the FY2002 GLNPO Grant Proposals solicitation are listed at:
http://www.epa.gov/glnpo/fund/2002guid/proposals2002.html
Contact: Mike Russ, U.S. EPA - GLNPO (312) 886-4013