ADVISOR January 2011 Volume 24, No. 1 IN THIS ISSUE Director’s update ... 2 Chicago waterway project ... 3 Atmospheric toxics webinars ... 5 Sediment reduction grants ... 7 Ballast treatment research ... 10 Commissioners’ Corner ... 12

Six new governors mark unprecedented change in Commission leadership

When the last ballot was counted tisan shift is not. As recently as 2002, (D) will control the fifth appointment. and certified – a point reached over a there were five party swings among Gov.-elect Scott Walk- month after the 2010 elections – the the eight states, including four Demo- er (R) can appoint three commission- Great Lakes had six new governors- crats replacing Republican opponents. ers from “persons having knowledge of elect, a turnover unprecedented for The occurrence of such shifts in the and interest in problems of the Great a single election cycle in the 55-year Great Lakes states seems to occur in Lakes basin.” One, with an indefinite history of the Great Lakes Commis- roughly 10-year intervals (elections in term, “shall be a state officer or em- sion. For the Commission the event is 1960, 1970, 1982, and1990 saw similar ployee.” The two others are at-large significant, as governors appoint the trends) and usually mirrors nationwide and serve four-year terms. majority of the up to 40 commission- voter trends seeking major change. Gov. Pat Quinn (D), who ers and alternates who, in turn, govern As the incoming 2011 Great Lakes was successful in earning his first elect- the organization. and Québec, governors assume office, one of their ed term as governor in November and as associate GLC members, are repre- tasks at hand will be to appoint GLC is the immediate past chair of the Great sented by another 10 to 14 associate commissioners, a process that varies Lakes Commission, controls appoint- and alternate associate commissioners. from state to state, according to each ment of all five Illinois commissioners, Partisan swings in 2010 Great state’s enabling legislation. In some of whom “not more than two shall be Lakes gubernatorial balloting fa- states, the responsibility is shared with residents of the City of Chicago and vored the GOP: four states went from state legislatures. While each state is not more than one shall be a resident Democratic administrations to Re- allotted three votes in Commission af- of Cook County outside the city limits publican and one from Republican fairs, the organization’s bylaws allow of Chicago.” to Democrat. Only two, Illinois and states to appoint as many as five com- All five of ’s commission- Indiana, remained with incumbents – missioners to allow for alternates. ers are also appointed by the gover- one from each party – and one, New In a total of five com- nor, currently second term incumbent York, remained Democratic but with mission seats are authorized with four Mitch Daniels (R). Daniels is the only a new governor. to be held by state legislators appointed Great Lakes governor whose office was While the number of new Great by their respective leadership: two from not up for election in 2010. Indiana Lakes governors in one election cycle the Minnesota House and two from the commissioners serve four-year terms. is unusual, a pattern of regional par- Senate. Incoming Gov. Mark Dayton In , commissioners in- continued on page 3 Director’s Update

Great Lakes restoration remains a sound investment

As the first decade of the new millennium comes to a close and we assess an eventful 10-year chapter in Great Lakes policy, it is easy to be overwhelmed. New threats emerged over the past 10 years in the form of ecosystem- changing biologic invaders, while old problems such as storm water over- flows, toxic hot spots and non-point pollution remained. Emerging issues As we welcome included the specter of climate change and the challenges of harnessing off- shore wind as an energy source. Water level vagaries continue to vex policy a new decade and makers, as do real and perceived threats of inter-basin water diversion. But the past decade also saw monumental achievements: the Great much new leadership Lakes St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact, the Great Lakes at the state and Regional Collaborative restoration blueprint, and the Great Lakes Restora- tion Initiative committing up to $2 billion in federal funds to Great Lakes federal levels, we restoration and protection will all be remembered as historic milestones. We are grateful to the leadership and many partners who worked together maintain that the to make them happen. Looking ahead, challenges remain. Fiscal responsibility was one of case for investment the priorities that came through loud and clear in the discourse of the 2010 in Great Lakes elections. In times of economic hardship, U.S. taxpayers expect state and federal governments to tighten belts along with everyone else and who can restoration is as blame them. But as we welcome a new decade and much new leadership at the state compelling – and and federal levels, we maintain that the case for investment in Great Lakes restoration is as compelling – and responsible – as ever. The return on the responsible – as ever. investment has been documented, and the public awareness of its need has never been higher. Investment in the Great Lakes is smart money, with the promise of more jobs, better environmental health and increased quality of life. And those are three objectives upon which everyone can agree.

Tim Eder Executive Director

2 ADVISOR • Volume 24, No. 1 • January 2011 www.glc.org Chicago waterway project meets funding goal, initiates a one-year action plan

With a funding goal of roughly water quality and flood management implementation team. Meeting par- $2 million having been met, the Great functions of the system that currently ticipants included representatives of Lakes Commission and Great Lakes connects to the inland federal agencies, Illinois and other and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative are river system. Great Lakes states, the city of Chicago, now moving ahead to assemble a con- The project, “Envisioning a Chi- the Metropolitan Water Reclamation sulting team to evaluate approaches cago Waterway System for the 21st District, industrial and transportation to ecological separation of the Great Century,” is supported by some $1.993 users of the waterway system and John Lakes and Mississippi watersheds and million in grants from six funders: Goss, recently appointed Asian carp potential re-engineering of Chicago’s Great Lakes Fishery Trust ($500,000), director for the White House Council system. Joyce Foundation ($500,000), C.S. on Environmental Quality. “The object is not to recommend Mott Foundation ($500,000), Wege Also participating was the U.S. a preferred option for separation, but Foundation ($250,000), Great Lakes Army Corps of Engineers, which is to develop a range of credible, fact- Protection Fund ($193,000) and the initiating its own Great Lakes and based options,” said Tim Eder, execu- Frey Foundation ($50,000). Mississippi River Interbasin Study, tive director of the Great Lakes Com- “We are extremely grateful for due in 2015, which will include analy- mission, who noted that more urgent the commitment shown by the major sis of invasive species pathways other alternatives may well be necessary in funders of this initiative,” said Eder. than the Chicago waterway system. the near term as the threat of Asian “I think it reflects the urgency shared “We want to support the Corps in carp to the Great Lakes intensifies. throughout the for their work and hope there is a coordi- Preventing Asian carp and other the threat at hand.” nation of data as we go forward,” said invasive species from moving between At a meeting of the project’s Ad- Eder. “But we still believe there is a need the watersheds remains a high prior- visory Committee Oct. 21, approval for a credible scientific assessment of ity, but collateral goals of the project was given to a general project outline the situation sooner than 2015.” Con- include improving the transportation, and an expedited process to select an tact: Tim Eder, [email protected].

Six new governors mark unprecedented change in Great Lakes Commission leadership (continued from page 1)

clude the governor – now newly elected state’s five commissioners; of the rest, prised of five commissioners, including Rick Snyder (R) - or his designee; the two slots are reserved for the directors the “Conservation Commissioner” or attorney general, who will be former of natural resources and environmental his or her designee, and four commis- Congressman Bill Schuette (R), also protection (cabinet positions), and two sioners appointed by the governor, now newly elected, or his designee; and two for members of the Senate and Andrew Cuomo (D). appointees from the leadership of the House, chosen by their leadership. The Commission will convene for Michigan Senate and House respec- provides for three the first time after the 2010 election tively. The governor may also appoint commissioners, all appointed by the at its 2011 Semiannual Meeting Feb. a fifth commissioner, “with the advice governor, now Gov.-elect Tom Corbett 28-March 1 in Washington, D.C., held and consent of the Senate.” (R), with the advice and consent of the in conjunction with Great Lakes Days Incoming Ohio Gov. John Kasich Senate, with six-year terms. in Washington, March 1-2. (R) can directly appoint one of the The delegation is com-

www.glc.org Januray 2011 • Volume 24, No. 1 • ADVISOR 3 New York’s James Tierney assumes chair of Great Lakes Commission; Kari Evans Bennett of Indiana is vice chair At its 2010 Annual Meeting in Federal Food Conservation and En- by President Obama in 2009. Toronto October 8, James Tierney, as- ergy Act (Farm Bill) of 2008 to secure A recap of the Annual Meeting is sistant commissioner for the New York strong water quality protections for the available at www.glc.org/about/glcmeet- State Department of Environmental Great Lakes; and encouraging Con- ings.html. The site includes final resolu- Conservation’s Division of Water Re- gress to continue and sustain funding tions and action items, a slideshow, all sources, was elected the new chair of for the Great Lakes Restoration Initia- presentations and briefing book mate- the Great Lakes Commission. He suc- tive, the landmark program established rials. Contact: Tim Eder, [email protected]. ceeds Illinois Governor Pat Quinn who completed a two-year term. Elected vice chair was Kari Evans Bennett, gen- eral counsel for the Indiana Depart- ment of Natural Resources. In other business, the Commission voted to re-establish an Emergency Preparedness Task Force to review the status of response programs for oil and hazardous material spills in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River basin. The ac- tion comes on the heels of the Enbridge oil spill from a ruptured pipeline near Marshall, Mich., which spilled over 800,000 gallons of oil into Talmadge Creek, a tributary to Lake Michigan. The Commission passed three Great Lakes Commission Vice Chair and Wisconsin Commissioner Todd Ambs, center, turned over resolutions: promoting mercury leadership duties at the meeting to newly elected GLC Chair James Tierney, right, assistant commissioner monitoring, research and reduction; of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and new GLC Vice Chair Kari Evans advocating for reauthorization of the Bennett, left, general counsel for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

Thibault joins GLC under Québec internship program Catherine Thibault is the the Great Lakes water resource for Commission’s Government of sustainable economic develop- Québec intern for the year 2010- ment, including port infrastruc- 2011. Québec has sponsored ture and geotourism. Thibault six-month internships for gradu- holds a bachelor’s of arts in Inter- ate and post graduate students national Studies from the Univer- from Québec the past four years. sity of Montreal and a masters in Thibault will be working on sever- Urban Planning from McGill Uni- al project areas including the Great versity. During her graduate stud- Lakes Value of Water Initiative and ies, Thibault focused her studies the Great Lakes Wind Collabora- on water policies and particularly tive, as well as “Blue Economy” the impacts of water scarcity on projects focusing on forward- land use development. The Commission is pleased to looking approaches to maximizing welcome Catherine Thibault.

4 ADVISOR • Volume 24, No. 1 • January 2011 www.glc.org Commission initiates atmospheric toxics webinar series

This fall the Commission Results of many of these studies tions. The events are also aimed kicked off its Atmospheric Tox- are being shared via the current webi- at promoting coordination and ics Webinar Series, showcasing nar series, with key topics including: implementation of consistent re- the results of research activities gional policies and exploring fu- • Mercury research findings conducted as part of the Great ture funding opportunities. in the Great Lakes region Lakes Air Deposition (GLAD) The webinars are being con- • Atmospheric transport and program supported by U.S. En- ducted every two to three weeks loadings to the vironmental Protection Agency running through April 2011. Each as well as ultimate fate of a num- funding. Since 2004, under the webinar includes a presentation ber of persistent, bioaccumula- direction of a team of senior air from two GLAD sponsored re- tive and toxic (PBT) compounds pollution control staff represent- searchers and provides an oppor- • Legacy and emerging chemicals ing each of the eight Great Lakes tunity for participants to ask ques- of concern and their effects on states, 41 research grants have tions and provide feedback. This human and wildlife health been awarded and managed by dialog is being archived on the • Emissions from agricultural the Commission. Commission’s website allowing plastic incineration and out- As a result of this effort, a those who missed the scheduled door wood-fired boilers substantial amount of new scien- events to tune in at their own con- • Air deposition monitoring tific knowledge concerning atmo- venience. methods and procedures spheric contaminant loadings, fate For further information on and transport within the Great The webinars allow GLAD award the GLAD webinars, please visit Lakes basin and the associated recipients to report their research www.glc.org/glad. adverse effects on wildlife and hu- findings, including follow-up mea- man health has been accumulated. sures and recommended policy ac-

GLC opposes use of GLRI for base Great Lakes programs in federal budget Hoping to protect the use of Great and Congress have stated clearly that the Great Lakes Interagency Task Force Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) special funding under the GLRI is in- in February 2010, states that “agencies funds for only new and additional tended to supplement, not supplant, must assure that they continue to sup- restoration activities, the Great Lakes base funding for regional and national port their existing base program activi- Commission recently joined with other programs that support continued man- ties in the Great Lakes and that added regional policy organizations in op- agement of the Great Lakes.” Initiative support will not be used to posing the use of the GLRI for existing Tierney noted that in its confer- supplant their existing base funding.” Great Lakes protection programs. ence report for the FY 2010 appropria- “We underscore and ask that you In a letter to the acting director of tions bill for the Department of Interi- honor the clear intent of Congress and the federal Office of Management and or, Environment and Related Agencies, the Administration,” wrote Tierney, Budget (OMB), Great Lakes Commis- Congress directed U.S. EPA to “work “That funding for base Great Lakes sion chair James Tierney articulated the with the other Federal agencies to en- programs be maintained at 2009 levels GLC’s position, saying, “Specifically, I sure [GLRI] funds supplement and as the GLRI moves forward.” request that you not use GLRI funds expand, not supplant, base Great Lakes The President’s FY2012 budget is to support base programs for ongoing programs when compared to fiscal year scheduled to be transmitted to Con- management and conservation of the 2009 levels.” gress on February 7, 2011. Contact: Great Lakes. Both the Administration The GLRI Action Plan, adopted by Tim Eder, [email protected]. www.glc.org Januray 2011 • Volume 24, No. 1 • ADVISOR 5 Beach managers gather in Erie, PA for annual conference

The Great Lakes Beach Associa- tion annual meeting and conference was held October 19-22, 2010, at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center in Erie, Pa. Attended by well over 100 beach managers from across the Great Lakes region, the event featured Rapid Methods and Virtual Beach Modeling workshops, a poster session and more than 30 invited papers. GLC staff pro- vided registration and web support for the event. Presentations are available for viewing/download at www.glin. net/glba/2010conference.html. Audio/ multimedia is available, courtesy of U.S. EPA-GLNPO. The Great Lakes Beach Associa- tion is a collaboration of more than As part of the conference, beach managers were trained in doing a qPCR demonstration of rapid 600 local and state beach managers, testing for Enterococci. Dr. Greg Kleinheinz, past GLBA president, and his Univ. of Wisconsin- working together to improve recre- Oshkosh beach group currently conducts beach monitoring and research in 13 Wisconsin ational beach water quality through counties, with a summer research group of over 20 students working at more than 100 beaches. Shown in the photo from left: Kim Busse (Water Resources Specialist – UW staff), Ryan Bartell an informal information-sharing fo- (UW student) and Brian Langolf (Lab Manager – UW staff). Photo © Shannon Briggs. rum. Contact: Christine Manninen, [email protected].

Capabilities, opportunities for Great Lakes ports in wind energy is subject of new report

Acknowledging the importance and/or port operators who responded of commercial cargo ports in develop- to the GLWC survey including contact ment of wind energy generation in the information, infrastructure specifica- Great Lakes, the Great Lakes Commis- tions (handling equipment, staging and sion recently published a comprehen- dockage area), bimodal transportation sive report derived from a survey of options, and past experience handling ports in the system. wind turbine components. The Role of the Great Lakes-St. The report was coordinated by Lawrence Seaway Ports in the Advance- John Hummer, Project Manager for ment of the Wind Energy Industry pro- the Great Lakes Wind Collaborative vides a general overview of the Great at the GLC and written by Anjali Pa- Lakes wind energy industry as well as a tel, former Sea Grant Fellow at the comprehensive discussion of the role of Commission. It can be accessed at the ports in advancing the industry. The www.glc.org/energy/wind/webinar- document’s appendix provides detailed portsurvey.html. Contact: John Hum- information about the individual ports mer, [email protected].

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Nine Great Lakes Restoration Ini- • Little Elkhart River, Indiana: In total, more than $20 million tiative (GLRI) watershed grants total- LaGrange County Soil and Water was requested through this large-scale ing more than $4.3 million to reduce Conservation District, $190,000 competitive grants program. The nine sediment pollution in priority water- • Pinnebog River, Michigan: Michigan funded projects, selected by a regional sheds in the Great Lakes basin were Dept. of Agriculture, $745,373 Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Task recently announced by the Great Lakes • River Raisin, Michigan: Michigan Force made up of representatives of Commission (GLC) and the U.S. Dept. Dept. of Agriculture, $438,033 the eight Great Lakes states, are ex- of Agriculture Natural Resources Con- • Shiawassee River, Michigan: pected to save upwards of 24,000 tons servation Service (NRCS) at a U.S. En- Shiawassee Conservation of erosion on an annual basis. vironmental Protection Agency-hosted District, $536,000 The projects are being coordi- event in Toledo, Ohio. Funding for nated by the GLC’s Great Lakes Basin • Poplar River, Minnesota: these grants – awarded under the Great Program for Soil Erosion and Sedi- Cook County Soil and Water Lakes Basin Program for Soil Erosion ment Control which has funded 439 Conservation District, $687,034 and Sediment Control – is provided by local small-scale projects since 1991, • Black and Oatka Creeks, New the GLRI under a cooperative agree- allocating over $15 million to control York: NY State Soil and Water ment between the Great Lakes Com- erosion and sediment. These projects Conservation Committee, $536,000 mission and NRCS. The projects se- have reduced soil erosion in the Great lected for funding are: • Old Woman Creek, Ohio: Lakes basin by more than 1.6 mil- Erie Soil and Water Conservation lion tons and phosphorus loadings • Blue Creek – St. Marys River, District, $137,552 Indiana: Adams County Soil by over 1.6 million pounds. Contact: • Sandusky River, Ohio: and Water Conservation Gary Overmier, [email protected]. WSOS Community Action District, $448,115 Commission, Inc., $581,926

Workshop series will focus on recycling clean dredged sediment from Great Lakes harbors

How to use sediment dredged landfills, is being promoted by the nance budget through much of the from Great Lakes harbors and naviga- Corps as the best way to support a sus- past decade have created backlog that tion channels for beneficial use will be tainable navigation dredging program will require an additional 2 million cy the topic of a series of workshops to be in the Great Lakes. Some 3.3 million Given the current storage capacity held by the Great Lakes Commission cubic yards (cy) of sediment must be remaining of all CDF locations in the for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dredged annually from Great Lakes basin of about 25 million cubic yards, in early 2011 throughout the region. harbors and channels to maintain it will take less than five years to fill Recycling clean dredged sedi- navigation access for commercial and current capacity without further with- ment, rather than placing it in con- recreational. Shortfalls in the Corp’s drawals, thus the emphasis by the Corps fined disposal facilities (CDFs) or Great Lakes operation and mainte- continued on page 8

www.glc.org Januray 2011 • Volume 24, No. 1 • ADVISOR 7

Workshop series will focus on recycling clean dredged sediment from Great Lakes harbors (continued from page 7) on beneficial use as an alternative. sites will include Toledo, Cleveland the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative The upcoming workshop series, and Duluth-Superior. In addition, two now underway. with dates and venues still being ar- online webinar/conference calls will The Great Lakes Commission, as ranged, will focus on “technical trans- be offered. facilitator of the Great Lakes Dredging fer” of beneficial use practices that The objective of these activities Team, has been active in promotion of have been researched and used suc- is to energize business communities, beneficial use of dredged material for cessfully in other areas of the coun- and educate permittees and regula- over two decades. Most recently, the try. Resources and personnel from the tors about beneficial use technologies Commission has supported the cre- Corps’ Engineer Research and Devel- as well as broaden understanding and ation of a new committee within the opment Center in Vicksburg, Tennes- interest in beneficial use projects by Dredging Team to focus on beneficial see, which has conducted extensive demonstrating success of use for habi- use opportunities and technologies. research on beneficial use of dredged tat restoration, brownfields restoration, The committee is led by GLDT state material, will be used in the meetings. identifying opportunities for beneficial co-chair Gene Clark of the University Workshops will have a special use projects, and educating states. of Wisconsin Sea Grant Foundation, emphasis on promoting beneficial Using clean dredged material for who will also be involved in the Tech- use to state agencies in the basin, thus habitat creation and restoration is at- nical Transfer Workshop Series. Con- sessions will be held in at least three tracting particular interest in many tact: Dave Knight, [email protected]. capital cities: Madison, Wis., Lansing, Great Lakes locations as habitat res- Mich. and Columbus, Ohio. Other toration is one of the focus areas of

Where in the Great Lakes?

Do you recognize this scenic view within the Great Lakes basin region (photo at left)? If you do, you could be the winner of a Great Lakes Commission t-shirt. E-mail your answer, along with your name, address and phone number to [email protected] or mail it to the Advisor at the address on the back page. All correct responses received by April 15, 2010, will be entered into a drawing. Good luck!

Our winner from the previous issue is Jennifer Walworth of Ann Arbor, Mich., who correctly identified Kintzel Ditch at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore (photo below). Congratulations, Jennifer!

Photo © Christine Manninen. Photo © Tom Gill.

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The Great Ships Initiative (GSI) is a re- evaluations. All GSI land-based and ship Allegra Cangelosi gional technical program led by the North- tests comply with International Maritime east-Midwest Institute (NEMWI) to trial pro- Organization (IMO), and federal testing posed ballast treatments with applicability to guidelines. This winter, GSI is installing Great Lakes ships, and to do so in a manner IMO- and USCG- consistent ballast sam- that is credible to the range of stakeholders pling systems on 12 Great Lakes ships to and regulators, and available to the public. prepare for ship trials. Born in 2006 with funds from the Na- With roots in the Great Lakes Bal- tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin- last Technology Demonstration Project istration and ten U.S. and Canadian Great (supported by the Great Lakes Protection Lakes ports, GSI was nurtured into a world- Fund, EPA, and LCCMR), GSI is the longest class research program with timely and standing ballast treatment testing program, continuing support from retiring Congress- and the only one with a capacity to conduct man Dave Obey of Superior, WI, and the land-based evaluations of treatments in Allegra Cangelosi, former Director U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD). natural fresh water globally. of Environmental Projects for the Now, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative The NEMWI collaborates with the Northeast-Midwest Institute and principal investigator for the Great Ships Initiative, (GLRI), MARAD, and the Legislative Citi- University of Wisconsin Superior, and the was recently named President and CEO zens Commission on Minnesota Resources University of Minnesota Duluth among of NEMW Institute. She will continue to (LCCMR) largely pay for GSI testing at the other regional research entities to conduct oversee the GSI; see more about the GSI lab-, land-based, and ship-scales. the work at GSI. Continued stable funds for at: www.nemw.org/GSI/index.htm. To date GSI has completed four land- GSI are critical to maintain this world-class Photo by Bob Kelleher, based and over 10 bench scale treatment research capacity for the Great Lakes region. Minnesota Public Radio News.org.

The views expressed are those of the authors or the organiza- tions they represent and do not necessarily reflect those of the Great Lakes Commission or its member jurisdictions.

www.glc.org Januray 2011 • Volume 24, No. 1 • ADVISOR 9 IN MEMORIAM

Dr. Al Ballert, 1914-2010

Albert G. Ballert, Ph.D., 95, nity. He developed and main- children, Colby (Carol) Ballert respected Great Lakes geogra- tained one of the largest photo and Josette (David) Koets. Also pher, researcher and the longest archives of Great Lakes vessels in surviving are his grandchildren, tenured staff person in Great existence, and visited and photo- Steven (Katie) and Sara Koets Lakes Commission history, graphed every port and commu- and Brendan (Janie), Cassandra died October 5, 2010, at the St. nity along the entire Great Lakes and Zachary Ballert; and great Mary Mercy Hospital in Livonia, and Seaway coastline. grandson Connor Koets. He was Mich., following a brief illness. Ballert is survived by his preceded in death by his son Ballert joined the Commission wife, I. Josephine Ballert and his Albert Jr. in 1956 just months after the organization was established and served for over five decades as director of research, interim director (twice), and as the un- official GLC communications director and photographer. As recently as 2006 he maintained an office at the Commission as director of research emeritus. Ballert received his Bache- lor of Education degree at Uni- versity of Toledo, his Masters of Science in Geography at Syra- cuse University and his Doc- torate in Geography from the University of Chicago. He au- thored numerous publications, newsletters and checklists relat- ing to the ships and their cargo, water levels and precipitation. Almost up until his death, he maintained the Great Lakes Re- search Checklist, a bibliography of Great Lakes-related publi- cations, and collected data on commercial navigation in the region. He was a well-known friend to the Great Lakes mari- time transportation commu- Dr. Albert G. Ballert.

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February 28 through March 2, Meeting and Great Lakes Day events 2011 have been set for the Great Lakes is available at www.glc.org/greatlakes- Commission’s semiannual meeting and day. Early registration is encouraged; the traditional Great Lakes Day rally on a reduced rate is available t those who Great Lakes Calendar Capitol Hill in Washington. register before Feb. 1. The registration The events provide opportunity deadline is Feb. 25. As lodging at the Great Lakes Air Deposition Program for the region’s policymakers and opin- Hamilton Crowne Plaza is limited, a list Atmospheric Toxics Webinar Series ion leaders, as well as members of Con- of additional hotels within four blocks January - April, 2011 gress and staff, to share priorities for is available on the website. Webinar (online) the region. The Great Lakes Congressional Contact: Anna Soehl Said GLC Executive Director Tim Breakfast Reception will be held on tel: 734-971-9135 Eder, “Promoting our Great Lakes fed- March 2 from 8-9:30 a.m. (location [email protected] eral policy agenda is more important TBA). The reception includes a con- www.glc.org/glad/meetings/webinar than ever this year in efforts to maintain tinental breakfast sponsored jointly support for the Great Lakes Restoration by the Great Lakes Commission and Great Lakes Commission Initiative. It is critical that we take this Northeast-Midwest Institute. Invited Semiannual Meeting and time to make sure Congress and the guests include members of the Great Great Lakes Days in Washington Administration recognize that contin- Lakes Congressional Delegation, Great February 28-March 2, 2011 ued investment in the Great Lakes will Lakes governors, mayors and tribes, Washington, D.C. yield significant environmental and and congressional staff. Contact: Tim Eder economic benefits.” The remainder of March 2 will be tel: 734-971-9135 The Great Lakes Commission devoted to visiting Congressional of- [email protected] Semiannual Meeting will start at 1:00 fices on Capitol Hill to emphasize mes- www.glc.org/greatlakesday p.m. on Feb. 28 and conclude at noon sages of restoring and sustaining the on March 1. Meeting events will be held Great Lakes in order to ensure environ- IAGLR 2011: at the Hamilton Crowne Plaza Hotel mental and economic prosperity. The 54th International Conference (14th and K Streets, NW). An evening Great Lakes Commission will be con- on Great Lakes Research reception on Feb. 28 will be held at the ducting office visits, as well as the Heal- May 30-June 3, 2011 hotel. A reception sponsored by the ing Our Waters®-Great Lakes Coalition Duluth, Minnesota Healing Our Waters® – Great Lakes Co- and other regional organizations. A [email protected] alition and the Government of Canada joint briefing session and other prepa- www.iaglr.org will be held at the Canadian Embassy ratory sessions will take place on the af- on the evening of March 1. ternoon of Tuesday, March 1. Contact: Coastal Zone 2011 Registration for the Semiannual Erika Jensen, [email protected]. July 17-21, 2011 Chicago, Illinois www.doi.gov/initiatives/CZ11/index.htm

Joint meetings of the Did you know Great Lakes Commission, International Joint Commission Ice harvesting was the ninth and Healing Our Waters® - Great Lakes Coalition largest industry in the United Oct. 10-14, 2011 Detroit, Michigan States in the year 1920!

www.glc.org Januray 2011 • Volume 24, No. 1 • ADVISOR 11 PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT No. 112 ADVISOR ANN ARBOR, MI 2805 S. Industrial Hwy., Suite 100 Ann Arbor, MI 48104-6791

Commissioners’ Corner James Tierney, Chair, Great Lakes Commission

Commission’s role is critical in sustaining restoration efforts ADVISOR The Great Lakes are a true national treasure. Our mutual efforts to propose, The ADVISOR is published by the fund and implement the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and the Great Lakes - Great Lakes Commission. The Great St. Lawrence River Water Resources Compact demonstrate how the Great Lakes Lakes Commission was established by the Great Lakes states in 1955 to community, along with inspired federal leadership, have taken restoration efforts promote the orderly, integrated and from talk to action. comprehensive development, use and All the progress, planning and national funding brought forward to date, conservation of the water and related however, are at risk during this time of transition. We need to quickly educate natural resources of the Great Lakes all the new state administrations on the progress to date, and then jointly make basin and St. Lawrence River. the case to the President, Congress and federal agency executives that the focus Board of Directors and the funding must continue. James Tierney (NY), Chair The future of the Great Lakes is now in our hands. We are responsible. We Kari Evans Bennett (IN), Vice Chair need to pass on healthy and healed Great Lakes to our children, and theirs. Marc Miller (IL) Gov. Patrick Quinn (IL), That is why the Great Lakes Commission, its programs and its dedicated staff, Immediate Past Chair are so important. The Commission is a critical vehicle for giving voice to the Ken DeBeaussaert (MI) need for federal restoration efforts to continue – to the benefit of the public Thomas E. Huntley (MN) health and environment, and as a fundamental element of the long-term eco- Sean Logan (OH) William J. Carr (ON) nomic prosperity of our region. Kelly Burch (PA) Please take a moment to consider the sweeping beauty and bounty of the Marc T. Boucher (QC) Great Lakes, its people, hearty farms and magnificent cities, and the tremendous Todd Ambs (WI) progress thus far to reverse years of gross neglect and toxic dumping. Then Executive Director please think about all the work that remains. Now is the time to redouble our Tim Eder mutual efforts to get that work done. Cover photo: A snowy view of the James Tierney is Assistant Commissioner of the Whitefish River in Alger County, Michigan. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Photo © James Marvin Phelps.