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A monthly summary of issues, activities and events at the Great Lakes Commission |
May 14, 2009 |
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Commission hails President Obama’s $475 million Great Lakes Initiative
President Barack Obama’s vision for Great Lakes restoration gained more clarity with the May 7 release of additional detail on a FY10 spending plan for $475 million in restoration and protection programs for the lakes. More Upper Great Lakes study recommends no remedial measures A draft report issued May 1 by the International Upper Great Lakes Study suggested that while there has been an increase in the rate of outflow on the St. Clair River from Lake Huron to Lake Erie between 1962 and 2006, it is likely due to natural, not man-made, forces; is not ongoing; and not problematic enough to warrant remedial action “at this time.” More Corps receives $75 million in stimulus money for Great Lakes navigation, but none for Soo Lock expansion A recently released list of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects in the Great Lakes to be federally funded by Recovery Act (stimulus) money totaled $74.797 million, but did not include any funding for the Soo Locks Expansion Project. More Four cruise ships plan Great Lakes itineraries in 2009 Four overnight cruise ships will be sailing in the Great Lakes this year, including two for the first time, and one newly built ship on her maiden voyage. Newcomers to the lakes will include Clelia II, a 100-passenger, yacht-like vessel, launched earlier this year following a major refurbishing and offering all suites for accommodations. More Asian carp barrier activated on Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers activated a long-planned second – and more permanent – electric Asian carp barrier on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal in April, though at low voltages as safety testing continues. More Water levels continue upward trend Water levels on lakes Michigan, Huron and Superior this spring continued a steady climb and, heading into the boating and heaviest commercial navigation seasons, are significantly higher than at the same time last year. More Great Lakes Wind Collaborative plans annual meeting in Milwaukee May 9 is the deadline to make hotel reservations at a special rate for the Great Lakes Wind Collaborative’s 2nd Annual Meeting planned for June 10-11, 2009, at We Energies’ headquarters in Milwaukee, Wis. More |
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