News

A new study released by the U.S. and Canadian governments says repair work can be done in the St. Clair River to restore lakes Michigan and Huron to more closely match their historical levels, but it will come with costs, both economic and environmental. More...

For twenty years, the federal government has been trying to restore wild lake trout in Lake Michigan. As Peter Payette reports, the future of the native fish in Lake Michigan is questionable despite recent news of plans to try harder. More...

An environmental group is calling on Michigan lawmakers and President Obama to ban the natural gas extraction process known as "fracking." More...

Wisconsin should strive to do more to grow a renewable energy economy that creates jobs in the state, the author of a new sustainability report says. More...

Plainfield High alumni in the running for a $50,000 grant to complete a documentary highlighting the devastating impact of invasive species in the Great Lakes. More...

A new study released by the U.S. and Canadian governments says repair work can be done in the St. Clair River to restore Lakes Michigan and Huron to more closely match their historical levels, but it will come with costs, both economic and environmental. More...

The St. Lawrence Seaway has reported a strong start to the 2011 shipping season. Generally viewed as a bellwether for the regional economy, initial indicators show signs of a continued rebound over last season. More...

Two new studies have thrown everything we thought we knew about the missing water of the Great Lakes into question, again. As often happens in big environmental conundrums, ordinary citizens are left wondering which computer model to believe. More...

A recent fish kill at a central Michigan lake was caused by a virus responsible for another kill at the lake four years ago, Michigan environmental officials said Tuesday. Test results indicated that largemouth and smallmouth bass were positive for viral hemorrhagic septicemia, or VHS. More...

The "Pure Michigan" tourism campaign has an extra $3 million to air radio and TV ads in other states, thanks to contributions from 28 local convention bureaus and tourist favorites. That's double the private contributions in 2009, and will allow a 15% increase in the cable TV ad campaign in other states. More...

The sooner we implement the phosphorus rules, the sooner we'll start seeing reductions in algae blooms that scare away tourists, clog water intake pipes and prevent us all from getting out there and enjoying Wisconsin's clean waters. More...

NOAA's Center of Excellence for Great Lakes and Human Health has re-launched its weekly forecast bulletin for harmful algal blooms in western Lake Erie. The Lake Erie Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Experimental Forecast Bulletin provides a satellite perspective and modeled estimation of HABs. More...

The document governing the cleanup of the lower Sheboygan River has been signed by federal officials and is awaiting a judge's signature, which would be the final step authorizing a plan to clear the river of industrial pollutants. More...

Water levels in the upper Great Lakes could be raised by placing gates, dikes or inflatable barriers in the St. Clair River at a cost of up to $225 million, a new report says. More...

The International Upper Great Lakes Study released Friday performs a valuable service even as it shows how expensive it would be to compensate for changes made in the St. Clair River decades ago. More...

Three years after finding a female deer that tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD) at a private deer breeding facility in Kent County, the baiting and feeding ban has been lifted in Michigan's Lower Peninsula. More...

Planting native species at Cowles Bog on Friday afternoon was an adventure in the mud for about 20 college students as part of an effort led by the National Parks Conservation Association. More...

After three years of work by a local kayak rental business owner, portions of the Clinton River in Macomb County, Mich., that were once just 6 inches wide are now 10 feet wide - enough room for canoes and kayaks to get through safely. This effort is among many examples across the state of how supporters of paddling sports are looking to raise awareness and use of the state's waterways. More...

Members of the public questioned the science behind a proposal that would end federal protection for the gray wolf during a hearing this week. Representatives from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service held the hearing to educate the public about the potential rule change, which would cover the Western Great Lakes and Northeast, and to seek input from the community. More...

The Chicago River, long one of the nation's nastiest waterways, may soon be clean enough to swim in. Board members of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago voted this week to begin making plans to disinfect the effluent discharged from two of the district's three primary water treatment plants. More...

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources said the 23 state forest campgrounds that previously were slated for closure will remain open this year. More...

The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative Annual Meeting and Conference, the Power of Shared Waters, takes place June 15-17 in Niagara Falls, Ontario. This year's conference will focus on the importance of Great Lakes beaches and coastlines, economy and tourism, invasive species and more. More...

The I-94 corridor between Milwaukee and Chicago straddles the sub-continental divide, separating the Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River basins. That means the region supports two different eco-systems. More...

A representative for the S.S. Badger car ferry stated Thursday the Lake Michigan Carferry Service is exploring the possibility of using natural gas, instead of coal, as the fuel source for the 410-foot ship. More...

A tradition that was once synonymous with Kingston, Ontario's waterfront was played out June 8, when a new fisheries vessel was christened at Portsmouth Olympic Harbour. More...