News

The newest invader swarming in the Great Lakes is the bloody-red shrimp. Although it's too soon to know how bad this non-native shrimp will be for the Great Lakes, scientists believe they pose a high risk of hurting fish populations and promoting algae blooms. More...

While Great Lakes congressman are calling for a major national push to clean up the world's largest fresh water system, the region needs to get its own act together in order to prevent water diversion to other regions. More...

Occidental Chemical Corp. has agreed to a $12 million settlement with the state of New York for causing pollution to the Niagara River and Lake Ontario. The money will fund projects to improve recreational fishing along Lake Ontario and its tributaries. More...

Months after Illinois officials came out swinging over Indiana's dismal record on lake pollution, Indiana officials are firing back at the Windy City. Both states need to recognize that hey have a long way to go in cleaning up their air and water quality. More...

During the Ohio Department of Natural Resources annual mid-winter survey, volunteers spotted nearly 100 more specimens of the iconic raptor than in any other year since the modern recovery from near extinction in North America. More...

After years of neglect in confronting Great Lakes invaders, the federal government has taken one encouraging step to combat this serious threat to our economy and ecology. More...

Even though the Ontario government has lifted the moratorium on offshore wind development, one consultant predicts turbines won't be popping up in Lake Erie any time soon. More...

The John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon commemorates the life of John Beargrease, the son of a Chippewa chief who delivered mail by dog sled along Lake Superior's rugged North Shore in the late 19th century. The event kicks off in Duluth, Minnesota on January 27. More...

The nation's five Great Lakes are less polluted than in the past, but U.S. efforts to improve water quality are hampered by unclear lines of responsibility and inadequate funding, the International Joint Commission told lawmakers Wednesday. More...

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, since 1991 angler numbers have decreased by about 44 percent in the Great Lakes area, compared to a 15 percent average nationally. More...

Despite progress in cleaning up the five Great Lakes, Rep. James Oberstar said water quality "is still at risk" when he appeared Wednesday at a Transportation and Infrastructure subcommittee hearing on the state of the Great Lakes. More...

Wetlands in the Great Lakes region will receive a helping hand from an Illinois state government and private-sector collaboration established to restore and protect the freshwater ecosystem. More...

Considering the slow pace at which Congress is proceeding on pending legislation to protect the Great Lakes from invasive species and viruses, we welcome an interim measure that would require salt-water freighters to flush their ballast tanks with seawater. More...

The natural hormone levels of fish and frogs have been upset by what is left of the estrogen found in birth control pills, a chemical most sewage treatment plants are not designed to clean. More...

Any plans to build windmills in Newfane, NY, will have to wait until summer to be considered, following Wednesday's unanimous vote on a moratorium by the Town Board. More...

About 200 people attended the Great Lakes Environmental Film Festival organized by Zigmond Kozicki, a former Bay City commissioner and executive director of Save Our Shoreline, a nonprofit group of homeowners. More...

The Conservation Foundation is a not-for-profit land and watershed protection organization. The mission of the Foundation is to preserve open space and natural lands, protect rivers and watersheds, and promote stewardship of our environment. More...

U.S. Rep. Peter Visclosky will testify that it's time to raise the bar and enact new water-quality legislation when he appears before the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee today. More...

While water levels in the Great Lakes have been steadily dropping for several years, they seemed to fall unabridged in 2007. Recent reports indicate that a new record low in Lake Michigan is within reach should dry conditions persist. More...

Refinery expansions in Great Lakes states will likely face close scrutiny from citizens given the concerns raised about BP's Whiting Refinery last summer. More...

In what could be a precedent-setting case, a Canadian court has set forth motions to allow an American energy producer to face Canadian charges of pollution on the basis that releases from DTE's power plants have poisoned the St. Clair River with mercury. More...

Already deeply entrenched at midwestern and southeastern power plants, coal from Wyoming has expanded its geographic reach to New York and Pennsylvania in recent years, even as global-warming concerns have become prominent. More...

The United States is undergoing a profound economic restructuring, due to pressures of globalization and the rising knowledge economy. America's Great Lakes region, once the core of the nation's industrial production and wealth creation, is losing ground rapidly. Opportunity 08 aims to help 2008 U.S. presidential candidates and the public focus on these critical issues. Position Paper | Fact Sheet More...

A comprehensive approach that involves a rule to require sanitizing of ballast tanks is a much needed step to prevent more non-native species from getting into the Great Lakes. More...

Although the presidential hopefuls have left Michigan, for now, it wouldn't hurt to have them sign a Great Lakes protection pledge to support the restoration of the Great Lakes. More...