A D V I S O R

Vol. 11 No. 2 March/April 1998 Guest editorial Inside Total quality management in the Great Legislative and appropriations Lakes region priorities for the By U.S. Senator Carl Levin, Michigan 105th Congress, uman nature is such that the public, and Congress as the Second Session public’s representatives, tends to take the status quo for granted until a problem arises that challenges the normal flow of (page 13) H events. Then, we sometimes react with breakneck speed to the perceived problem and hope that the solution does not create imbalance elsewhere in ANS Update—Exploring the system. However, our understanding of the physical world and the new ballast management interconnectedness of the global economy have now grown to a point that technologies we cannot simply solve one problem at a time. We must look at the range of options and consider them carefully and sensibly before choosing our pre- ferred alternatives. Pressure to engage in this process has been building for some time, and the Great Lakes In this issue region has seen some successful examples. As it relates to manufacturing, the automotive sector might call this process “total quality management.” As far as environmental protec- Semiannual Meeting tion is concerned, the Great Lakes Critical Programs Act was an effort to lay down some initial benchmarks that can be used to judge the efficacy of our air, water and land pollu- Highlights...... 2 tion prevention efforts as a whole. But there are many, many statutes, programs and prob- Great Lakes wake-up call * Overview lems that have yet to be woven into a well-funded, comprehensive and internally compat- of the Semiannual Meeting* Global ible approach to Great Lakes protection. For instance, I am concerned that the climate change * Dredging team Superfund’s resources have not been adequately used to tackle the problem of contami- meeting and field trip * GLIN nated sediments, and existing programs to prevent additional deposition of toxics in sedi- Advisory Board meeting, global ment have not been sufficiently funded. applications symposium * Carol A. Science tells us that land-use issues have Making federal actions Ratza Memorial Scholarship the greatest ecological impact, and most econo- mists conclude that these impacts drive busi- more likely to promote sustainable development Commission Briefs...... 7 ness and investment decisions. Sustainable de- velopment, or smart growth, are the current will improve the quality of Basin Program grants * New buzz words for intelligent land use. To me, this Commissioners, Observers * concept includes efficiently using our existing life in the Great Lakes re- Great Lakes Day in Washington * infrastructure, such as brownfields or inner gion in many ways. Executive Committee priorities * city/downtown areas, before expanding into Reception honoring Sen. John greenfields. Adoption of this comprehensive approach will require Congress to review the Glenn * Hazmat conference * tax code; the relationship between local, state and federal governments; and environmen- New staff tal statutes, among many other elements. Making federal actions more likely to promote sustainable development will improve the quality of life in the Great Lakes region in many ways. Around the Lakes...... 10 Reforming the federal regulatory process is one method to ensure that the government and Congress carefully consider the effects of federal actions on smart land use. Many regu- Lake Champlain * ANS conference * lations and statutes can benefit from review to measure effectiveness, or to see if there Tributary modeling * Storm damage might be a less costly way to achieve the same goals. For instance, we must be confident reporting * Lake levels that imposing rigorous combined sewer overflow, stormwater runoff and other requirements simultaneously will not simply encourage ex-urban growth and provide no net gain in pub- Calendar...... 12 lic health protection. Federal actions also must be better coordinated between Continued on page 2

• The ADVISOR is published bimonthly by the Great Lakes Commission • The Great Lakes Commission is an eight-state compact agency established in 1955 “to promote the orderly, integrated and comprehensive development, use and conservation of the water resources of the Great Lakes basin.” Donald R. Vonnahme, Chair; Michael J. Donahue, Ph.D., Executive Director Argus II Building • 400 Fourth Street • Ann Arbor, Michigan 48103-4816 • Phone: 734-665-9135 Page 1 Fax: 734-665-4370 • E-mail: [email protected] • Web: www.glc.org Semiannual Meeting Highlights Great Lakes Commission Lake Champlain’s designation as a Great The Great Lakes Commission, an eight-state compact agency founded in state and federal law and dedicated to the use, management Lake should serve as a wake-up call and protection of the water resources of the It took Mother Nature more than gratulated for its prompt action in secur- Great Lakes basin, provides leadership in the 10,000 years to sculpt the five Great ing repeal of the designation. implementation of principles of sustainable development throughout the basin. In Lakes and lend definition to what is now Such a designation, of course, is ill-ad- partnership with the Great Lakes states, the the Great Lakes basin. Sen. Patrick vised for many reasons. Lake Champlain Commission addresses issues of resource management, environmental protection, Leahy of Vermont, however, needed only lies outside the Great Lakes basin and is transportation and economic development by seven words and a few short weeks to ac- not a part of the system of five intercon- serving as an accurate and objective source of information; an effective forum for the complish a similar feat. Deep within the nected Great Lakes. Champlain also development and coordination of public voluminous National lacks most characteris- policy; and an active and committed Commission advocate of basin interests. Sea Grant Program tics that the real Great Reauthorization bill, News and Lakes share. Further- Executive Committee he buried a short Views more, a Lake Chair Donald R. Vonnahme (IL) Champlain designation phrase that redefined By Michael J. Donahue, Ph.D. Vice Chair Irene B. Brooks (PA) Lake Champlain as a Executive Director would set a precedent Frank L. Kudrna (IL) “Great Lake,” thereby that could open the Larry D. Macklin (IN) opening the door for National Sea Grant door for other large freshwater lakes that Frank J. Kelley (MI) Program funds that had previously been want to compete for limited Great Lakes Thomas E. Huntley (MN) John P. Cahill (NY) unavailable to landlocked states such as funds. And, on a more fundamental J. William Moody (OH) Vermont. The measure went largely un- level, the designation flies in the face of Nathaniel E. Robinson (WI) noticed and, with one stroke of the the ecosystem approach that we’ve been nurturing for decades. Congress can cre- Executive Director president’s pen, the five Great Lakes sud- Michael J. Donahue, Ph.D. denly had a new sister. atively redefine a lake, but Mother Na- Thankfully, this new family arrange- ture will pay no heed. Program Managers ment was short-lived. The reaction was Most disturbing of all, however, is the Thomas R. Crane, Resource fact that Great Lakes interests were Management and Environmental immediate, impassioned and visceral; it Quality made the national news and catapulted largely blind-sided by the Lake the Great Lakes —albeit very briefly— Champlain designation. Those who were Stephen J. Thorp, Transportation and Economic Development into the congressional spotlight. A few aware of the Leahy provision at the out- weeks later, a classic compromise was set either underestimated its implications Project Managers reached: Lake Champlain lost its or chose not to raise the issue for political Laura N. Beer, Mike Conley, Mat- Great Lakes designation but retained reasons. There’s a lesson to be learned thew Doss, Katherine Glassner- Shwayder, Christine Manninen its eligibility for National Sea Grant here: continued vigilance is needed to Program funds. ensure that the best interests of the Great Program Specialists The regional uproar following the Lake Lakes and their residents are served. We Mandy Grewal, Derek Moy, Champlain designation was gratifying; it need to keep our ears to the ground, and Prapassara Nilagupta, Victoria reaffirmed the strong affinity and sense of stay in the “anticipate and prevent Pebbles, Thomas Rayburn, Lisa E. mode,” even if it means reading every Rives, Michael Schneider, Lara Slee ownership that Great Lakes residents have for their lakes. The Great Lakes phrase in every voluminous bill that Director of Research, Congressional Delegation is to be con- comes before the Congress. Emeritus Albert G. Ballert, Ph.D. Guest editorial, continued from page 1 Administrative Staff agencies having similar jurisdictions and ganizations in the Great Lakes, are the Cappy Bilakos, Pat Gable, authorities, such as in the case of wet- envy of other regions because we are in a Marilyn Ratliff, Rita J. Straith lands or dredging sediment disposal. position to respond effectively. As the incoming Democratic chair of Research Associates There always will be urgent problems. From the proposed diversion of ground- the Senate Great Lakes Task Force, I George Aponte Clarke, Kate Hackett, hope to carry on the effort of a visionary water out of the Great Lakes basin to the Margaret Le, Shobna Pandhoh leader and a great human being, Sen. constant threat of existing and new inva- The Great Lakes Commission is an equal John Glenn. We will continue to opportunity employer and complies with sive species, Congress and all interested applicable federal and state laws prohibiting need a cooperative, bipartisan effort discrimination. It is the policy of the Commission parties must be prepared to respond. In to address the short- and long-term that no person, on the basis of race, gender, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, many ways, the spirit of cooperation and challenges ahead. marital status, handicap or prior military service status, shall be discriminated against. friendly competition, and the policy or-

Page 2 Semiannual Meeting Highlights

Federal appropriations, global climate change featured topics at ’ Commission s Semiannual Meeting Global issues: Climate change, (see insert in this AD- More than 140 Great Lakes Com- transboundary information exchange VISOR). The de- mission delegates, Observers, staff and The semiannual meeting also offered tailed, multifaceted friends gathered in Ann Arbor, Mich., an in-depth look at the topic of global statement will serve for a full agenda of business at the climate change, emerging U.S. policy as the organization’s April 1-3 semiannual meeting. and implications for the Great Lakes blueprint for advo- Hosted by the Commission’s Michi- states (see related stories on pages 4-5). cacy efforts in the gan Delegation, the event began with Ulf Ehlin, director of the Stockholm coming months. a welcome from A. Michael Leffler, an International Water Institute in Swe- Michigan Com- Rep. Rivers alternate commissioner speaking on den, offered a “think globally, act lo- missioner Tracy Mehan presented the behalf of Delegation Chair Frank cally” theme during keynote remarks at draft statement and introduced guest Kelley, attorney general of Michigan. the Commission’s April 2 dinner. He speakers Sean Peppard and Rochelle Mayor Ingrid Sheldon followed praised the Commission’s efforts to raise Sturtevant. with a warm greeting from the city of awareness of water resource issues, noting Peppard, legislative assistant in the Ann Arbor, home of a number of in particular the success of the Great office of Rep. Steven LaTourette (R- Great Lakes research and policy insti- Lakes Information Network in distrib- Ohio), discussed anticipated congres- tutions. Sheldon highlighted the local uting information throughout a sional action on transportation and relevance of the Commission’s work, transboundary region. economic issues. LaTourette is co- noting that an investment in sustain- “A water information system like able development practices and water chair of the Northeast-Midwest Con- quality improvements will benefit both gressional Coalition’s Great Lakes the environment and the economy. Task Force. “Smart business can pay off not only “We need to have a dual ap- in the bottom line on that balance proach,” Peppard said. “The manage- sheet,” Sheldon said, “but also for the ment of natural resources and eco- bottom line of our environment.” nomic interests must happen together In her keynote address, U.S. Rep. in order to maintain the integrity of Lynn Rivers (D-Mich.) discussed the life in the Great Lakes region.” importance of keeping the beauty and The appropriations priorities that integrity of the region intact. will be pursued by the task force in- Special guests Ulf Ehlin, director of the “We have something phenomenal in clude an allocation of $6 million to Stockholm International Water Institute in terms of the Great Lakes,” she said. design a replacement vessel for the ice- Sweden, and his wife Kristina. Rivers stressed that education is the breaker Mackinaw; increased funding for the Soo Locks; and creation of a key to winning support for policy is- GLIN is critical for educating politicians Great Lakes infrastructure develop- sues concerning maritime commerce, and the general public in a region about ment bank for modernization of the ecosystem preservation and water potential water problems and their solu- St. Lawrence Seaway. quality control. She commended the tions,” he said. Sturtevant, coordinator of the Sen- Commission and its partners for their Ehlin and his colleagues have devel- ate Great Lakes Task Force, discussed work in educating the public and legis- oped the BALtic Sea Region On-Line resource management and environ- lators about Great Lakes issues. Environmental Information Resources mental quality issues. The task force “I’m not here to lecture you. I’m for INternet Access, or BALLERINA, plans to focus on the Supreme Court’s here to praise you. What you do an online information system modeled Harbor Maintenance Tax decision; the matters,” she said. after GLIN. Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restora- “GLIN and BALLERINA could be Federal legislative and appropriations tion Act; federal funding for Great Lakes research and management agen- the first cornerstones in global water in- priorities cies; and support for brownfields rede- formation exchange,” Ehlin said. Among many other key actions, velopment and aquatic nuisance spe- For detailed information on all Commissioners unanimously approved cies funding, among others. meeting presentations and policy a Commission policy position on legis- actions, contact Mike Donahue, lative and appropriations priorities for [email protected]. the 105th Congress, Second Session

Page 3 Semiannual Meeting Highlights Global climate change and the Great Lakes The state of the science sies over competing uses of water. The issue of global climate change In response to climate change, scien- was featured in a special symposium tists, industry leaders and policymakers titled “Global Climate Change and have several choices. They can do noth- U.S. Policy: Implications for the ing and hope for the best, assume a high- Great Lakes States” with prominent risk position of anticipating the worst speakers from the government, in- case scenario, or opt for a “no regrets” ad- dustry and environmental sectors. aptation strategy. Linda Mortsch of Environment Canada, Dr. Mortsch suggests that “no regrets” is Dr. Frank Quinn, head of the Frank Quinn of GLERL (NOAA) and Illinois Physical Sciences Division at the Commissioner Norm Sims discuss the science the best way to go; the actions associ- of global climate change. Great Lakes Environmental Research ated with this strategy make sense Laboratory (NOAA), discussed the now, irrespective of the climate dressed by Linda Mortsch from the science behind global climate change, change scenarios that may eventually Environmental Adaptation Group, citing current findings in the field. play out. Known environmental prob- Environment Canada. Mortsch is the Over the last 130 years, the global lems could be corrected, keeping in Canadian leader for the Great Lakes- mean temperature has increased. mind that future problems might be St. Lawrence Basin Project, which fo- Gases produced by human activity, eased as a result. On the basis of water- cuses on adapting to the impacts of cli- like carbon dioxide, methane and ni- shed models within the Great Lakes mate change and variability. trous oxide, trap heat from the sun in basin, people can start asking ques- Mortsch asked the questions “What the atmosphere, causing temperatures tions, reassessing plans and consider- are the risks of doing nothing?” and to rise. Predictions for the future in- ing climate change issues in their long- “How well do we understand the po- clude more surface warming, an in- range thinking. Contact: Dr. Frank tential impacts of global climate crease in precipitation, a reduction of Quinn, 734-741-2254, change?” Climate change, she ex- sea ice and rises in sea levels. [email protected]; Linda Mortsch, plained, is a complex problem that In responding to climate change, 519-888-4567 ext. 5495, plagues a complex world. Quinn was quick to point out that “all [email protected]. “We do expect to have surprises,” actions have to be done at a local level Mortsch said. because that’s where people are im- Unlike the ozone problem, which Opinions collide pacted.” The question then becomes: can be addressed by specific actions The second panel of the climate What are we likely to experience in (e.g., stopping the use of certain change symposium focused on “The the Great Lakes? chemicals), climate change is inextri- Kyoto Climate Change Summit: Out- Many studies have been undertaken cably tied to many factors like the comes, Emerging U.S. Policy and Re- within the Great Lakes basin, including economy, land use and fuel consump- gional Implications.” The ensuing discus- the modeling of 121 watersheds. The tion. This complexity, coupled with sion and debate very quickly defined the models, which are scenarios (rather than often imperfect scientific information, divergent views of industry representa- predictors) of what could happen, indi- makes any effort to influence climate tives and environmental advocates. cate an increase in water evaporation change a very difficult one. “There are ways to achieve solutions from lake surfaces, which can lead to a Like Quinn, Mortsch advocates an in a no regrets way,” said Paul Risley pronounced lowering of Great Lakes wa- impact assessment procedure that uses from the White House Climate ter levels. Temperatures at night also are possible scenarios as its basis. She Change Task Force as he discussed the likely to become warmer, a trend that has stressed the health implications of a administration’s attitude going into already begun. warmer climate that may facilitate the the Kyoto emissions talks. Though the models focus on future migration of disease and increased air The administration wants policies climate change and variability, Quinn pollution. Mortsch pointed out that that won’t harm U.S. standards of liv- feels it is as important to study and the scenarios with warmer tempera- ing, and that may improve U.S. pro- plan for the variability we find in tures lead to increased mortality rates, ductivity. Supporters of the protocol today’s climate. An example is the along with other environmental im- feel that no other approach delivers as present high lake level regime on the pacts like uncertain water flows, much environmental benefit for a lim- Great Lakes. poorer water quality, increased pres- ited amount of funds. The possible impacts of climate sures for diversions to and from the change on the Great Lakes were ad- Great Lakes, and escalating controver- Continued on next page

Page 4 Semiannual Meeting Highlights

Global climate change, continued said, referring to companies that refuse to take positive actions to- Lana Pollack, president of the Michi- ward helping the environment gan Environmental Council, spoke in fa- and making a deep commitment vor of the Kyoto Summit outcomes and a to change. strong administration position. Countering Risley and Pollack’s She pointed to a problem in the me- support of the Kyoto Protocol was dia coverage of global climate change: Jene Robinson, manager of the The panelists (l. to r.): George Kuper, Lana the popular press treats the issue as a Environmental Resources De- Pollack, Jene Robinson, Paul Risley and modera- political debate, with equal time given partment of the Illinois Power tor Norm Sims. to each side. Average people who do Company. He pointed out not read scientific journals or attend many flaws within the protocol, scientific conferences do not get a including the lack of participation by George Kuper, president and CEO of sense of the consensus that the scien- developing countries, the unrealistic the Council of Great Lakes Industries, tific community has reached on some reduction in emissions, and the inabil- supported Robinson’s viewpoint. of the basics of global warming. ity of the protocol to be amended until “Industry is not in denial,” Kuper “The science community is not divided it enters into force. said. “Industry is treating global cli- that global warming is happening, al- Robinson used examples centering mate change as an energy efficiency is- though there are uncertainties as to cli- on his home state of Illinois to illus- sue. It is a technological challenge to matic consequences of this warming,” trate the adverse effects the protocol which we don’t now have answers.” Pollack said. She recommends educating would have on the local economy. In Kuper cited two basic stumbling blocks the public, bringing them to a basic un- southern Illinois, the primary industry for the region with the issue of climate derstanding of common facts. is coal mining. By reducing coal min- change: the need for cheap energy and “The problem is compounded by a ing and consumption to adhere to insufficient scientific guidance. disinformation campaign being put out Kyoto’s emissions standards, more “Political pressure builds up around by interest groups who have an eco- than 28,000 people would be out of these problems, and we end up politiciz- nomic investment in protecting the jobs. Moving to alternative sources of ing to the point of inaction at best, or status quo,” Pollack said. energy would bring the employment more likely, bad policy,” Kuper said. Pollack also believes we need to do a toll to more than 100,000 jobs. He By focusing our national effort almost better job of looking at the economics. said that even if Illinois reduced its exclusively on the question “How can we She and Risley agreed that it comes emissions by 30 percent, the levels still reduce the levels of carbon dioxide and down to a choice between paying the wouldn’t be where the protocol wants other greenhouse gases?” policymakers cost of inaction and paying the cost of them. lose sight of issues that might be more doing something positive for both the “The Kyoto Protocol could really harm treatable, such as “How can we deal with environment and industry. the economy,” Robinson said. “We don’t a doubling of carbon dioxide levels that “We stand to lose our industry if our know how to achieve reductions without will occur in the next 40-60 years no industry remains in denial,” Pollack great cost to the people of Illinois.” matter what we do?”

Dredging team addresses policy issues, tours CDF Policy actions and a field trip to the created, representing a broad cross-sec- Pointe Mouille Confined Disposal Facil- tion of stakeholders in the dredging pro- ity and State Game Area were on the cess who will assist the team. These ef- agenda when the Great Lakes Dredging forts support the federal/state team's mis- Team met in Ann Arbor, Mich., sion to ensure that dredging is cost-effec- March 31-April 1. tive and timely; meets environmental The 700-acre CDF in southeast protection, restoration and enhancement Michigan Commissioner Tracy Michigan is the largest such freshwater Mehan (left) and Roger goals; provides a mechanism for resolu- Gauthier of the Corps of facility in the world and is designed to tion of conflicts; and promotes inter- Engineers. hold contaminated dredged material agency coordination. from the Rouge and Detroit rivers. The next dredging team meeting is in Several products are being developed Toledo, Ohio, Sept. 16-17, and will be by the Commission and the dredging preceded by a Sept. 15-16 workshop on Michigan Commissioner team: a series of fact sheets, Great Lakes the beneficial use of dredged material. Rep. William Callahan dredging brochure, web site and video. Contact: Steve Thorp, [email protected]. during his keynote A list of local advocates also has been address.

Page 5 Semiannual Meeting Highlights Hot topics: GIS, education, tourism Ann Arbor hosts GLIN Advisory Board Meeting and Global Applications Symposium The Great Lakes Information Network implementation areas where Advisory Board convened March 31- GLIN could play an active April 1 to discuss future directions of the role. Xie currently is assisting region’s preeminent Internet-based with implementation of the online network. Great Lakes GIS project, “GLIN is not just a network of comput- GLIN’s first step toward pro- ers, it’s a network of people,” commented viding quick and efficient ac- Lynn Herche, a board member represent- cess to Great Lakes spatial ing NOAA’s Great Lakes Environmental data. Research Lab. With this in mind, the Wayne Ruchgy, of the advisory board developed an exciting Wayne County Regional First recipient of Carol A. Ratza Memorial and ambitious work plan for GLIN. Educational Service Agency, Scholarship Plans for the upcoming year include offered the group an overview Jill Hallden, a graduate student in geography at developing a multiserver search capabil- of the CyberCity Schools Michigan State University, receives the Carol A. Ratza Memorial Scholarship from GLIN Advisory ity and spatial data library, as well as ex- project, which will allow Board Chair Pranas Pranckevicius, of the U.S. EPA panding GLIN’s expertise to a global teachers at the secondary Great Lakes National Program Office. The $500 market. The advisory board recognized school level to incorporate award, supported by donations and a Commission contribution, will be awarded annually to a the need to reconfirm GLIN’s vision and GLIN into their curricula as a deserving student interested in information goals, but also allow for flexibility in fu- learning tool. This project technology and the Great Lakes. Over her 11-year ture directions. proposal is under develop- career with the Commission, Carol Ratza created and led numerous innovative communications The board heard from experts who ment and will be submitted projects, the most notable being GLIN and the have garnered interest and financial sup- to the U.S. Department of port through their use of GLIN and its Education later this year. regional applications. Special guests provided international mental Protection Agency, and Joe VanderMeulen, executive director perspectives to the GLIN discussions as David Moody, of the Organization of of the Michigan-based Land Information part of a Global Applications Sympo- American States, focused on other po- Access Association, described his work sium. Ulf Ehlin, director of the tential global applications for access to in community planning. LIAA has in- Stockholm International Water Institute information on the world’s lakes and corporated GIS (Geographic Informa- in Sweden, gave an overview of the freshwater resources. In 1998-99, GLIN will be hosting a tion Systems) data, a knowledge of city BALtic Sea Region On-Line Environ- planning and community feedback on series of workshops on Great Lakes mental Information Resources for public issues, to create one of the region’s education; travel, tourism and recre- INternet Access. BALLERINA used most useful information data libraries for ation; and GIS applications. GLIN as a model for pulling together public use (see www.liaa.org). Look for updates on GLIN-Announce stakeholders from different jurisdictions GIS-related projects are fast becoming or on the GLIN home page, great- to share information about a single a growth area for GLIN. Dr. Yichun Xie, lakes.net. Contact: Christine Manninen, watershed. of Eastern Michigan University, offered [email protected]. Vacys Saulys, of the U.S. Environ- an introduction to GIS applications and

Friendly rivalry Daniel Mazmanian, dean of the University of Michigan School of Natural Resources and Environment (left), and Fred Poston, dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michi- gan State University, de- scribe their school’s pro- grams. Indiana Commissioner Larry Macklin (center) speaks with Mike Quigley of Indiana DNR and Indiana Alternate Commissioner Lori Kaplan. Page 6 Commission Briefs

Basin Program announces 20 new grant awards New Commissioners and Twenty projects have been selected for funding under this year’s grant cycle for the Observers welcomed Great Lakes Basin Program for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control. A total of 64 pro- The Commission welcomes three new posals were reviewed at the April 1 meeting of the Commission’s Soil Erosion and Commissioners from New York, along Sedimentation Task Force. with several new Observers. Funding for the grants program is made available to the Great Lakes Commission New York Gov. George Pataki has ap- via cooperative agreement with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. pointed Sean Hanna, John O’Mara and Total FY1998 funding for the Basin Program is set at $350,000, which is unchanged Carl Tuohey to fill out his state’s Com- from the FY1997 funding level. With the addition of the current awards, the program mission delegation. has now awarded more than $3.85 million (and leveraged an additional $2 million in Hanna is a Monroe County legislator nonfederal funds) for 119 demonstrations and special projects, involving thousands of and chair of the county’s Public Safety farmers, landowners, contractors and other parties in the Great Lakes states. Contact: Committee and vice chair of the Ways Tom Crane, [email protected]. and Means Committee. O’Mara is chair of the New York Public Indiana New York Critical Area Seeding - Road Banks. Service Commission, and a member of Apollo Erosion Control Project. North- the State of New York Commission on east Indiana Solid Waste Management Cayuga County Soil and Water Conser- District and Wood-Land-Lakes vation District.$15,000. Judicial Nomination and U.S. Sen. Resource Conservation and Develop- Erosion and Sediment Control Ordinance Alfonse D’Amato’s Judicial Screening ment, Inc. $15,000. Pilot Project. Wayne County Soil and Committee. Water Conservation District. $5,000. A professional engi- Michigan Honeoye Lake Watershed Public Awareness neer and consultant, Agricultural Soil Erosion Reduction and Education Project. Ontario County Soil and Water Conservation District. Tuohey has an exten- Project. Michigan Agricultural Stew- sive background in ardship Association. $15,000. $12,000. politics and manage- Lakeshore Erosion Demonstration Project. Monroe County Highway Water Quality City of Boyne City. $7,871. Improvement Project. Monroe County ment. He has been ac- Soil and Water Conservation District. tively involved in pro- North Branch of the Bad River Adopt-A- $24,600. Stream Education/Awareness Program. fessional organizations Tuohey Gratiot Soil Conservation District. What’s the Dirt? Aquarium of Niagara. like the International Material Manage- $15,000. $6,000. ment Society and the National Society Protecting the Integrity of Headwater of Professional Engineers. Streams from Soil Erosion and Sedimenta- Ohio The New York Delegation will host tion Through Stormwater Management, Black River Stream Bioengineering Initiative the Commission’s 1998 Annual Meet- Education, Cooperation and Innovative for the Riparian Landowner. Lorain Soil Policy. Livingston County Drain and Water Conservation District. ing, October 19-20 in Buffalo. Commissioner. $15,000. $15,000. New Observers include Maggie Grant, Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Maumee River Storm Water Education. executive director of the Council of Education in the Grand Traverse Bay Henry Soil and Water Conservation Great Lakes Governors; Rear Adm. Watershed. Grand Traverse Bay District. $2,450. Watershed Initiative. $7,105. John McGowan, commander of the U.S. Use of the WWW for Watershed Man- Coast Guard-Ninth District; Thomas agement with a Focus on Erosion and Pennsylvania Behlen, director of the International Sediment Control. Michigan Techno- Innovative Erosion Control Involving Joint Commission, Great Lakes Regional logical University. $14,341. the Beneficial Use of Dredged Material, Indigenous Vegetation and Landscaping Office; and Ron Sundell, environmental Along the Lake Erie Shoreline. Penn- scientist at Argonne National Minnesota sylvania Department of Conserva- Laboratory. Baptism River Streambank Stabilization tion and Natural Resources, Bureau Demonstration Project. Minnesota of State Parks, Presque Isle State Department of Natural Resources, Park. $15,000. Tettegouche State Park. $14,500. NPDES/Erosion and Sedimentation Control Lake Superior Shoreline Protection Demonstration Project and Workshop. Erie Project. Lake Superior Association of County Conservation District. $15,000. Soil and Water Conservation Districts. $20,000. Wisconsin Soil Testing and Phreatic Surface Investi- Water and Sediment Control Basin/Grassed gation for Lake Superior Shoreline Waterway. Fond du Lac County Land Stabilization. Minnesota Board of Water Conservation Department. $5,759.70. New Observer Rear Adm. John McGowan of and Soil Resources. $9,700. the U.S. Coast Guard (left) chats with Ohio Commissioner George Ryan.

Page 7 Commission Briefs Great Lakes Day in Washington Executive Committee sets Legislative priorities: Seaway enhancement, sediment priorities for 1998 transport models Program and advocacy priorities To launch their federal advocacy ac- agement techniques. were the featured topics when the tivities for the year, the Commission and “This research is vitally important to Commission’s Executive Committee the Northeast-Midwest Institute spon- protecting the future of the Maumee convened March 11 in Washington, sored a congressional breakfast and issues River watershed and the ecology of the D.C. Among other actions, members briefing session on March 12 as part of Great Lakes,” Kaptur said. “Soil erosion approved new state “return on invest- Great Lakes Day in Washington, D.C. and sedimentation are ment” forms for transmittal to Great The breakfast featured presentations on primary sources of Lakes governors; approved plans for regional prospects in the 105th Con- nonpoint pollution for 1998 Commission meetings; agreed to gress-Second Session by Rep. James the lakes. This project organize a joint Commission meeting, Oberstar (D-Minn.) and Rep. Marcy will help us learn how Seaway Summit and Mayors’ Confer- Kaptur (D-Ohio). Great Lakes Commis- to alleviate these ence in Montreal in 1999; supported sion Vice Chair Irene Brooks and Frank problems.” Rep. Oberstar’s Binational Great Kudrna, chair of the Illinois Delegation, The Great Lakes Is- Lakes-Seaway Enhancement bill; and Rep. Kaptur also were on hand to present the sues Briefing provided agreed to pursue a Great Lakes Basin Commission’s legislative and appro- an opportunity for environmental agen- Compact amendment to permit full priations priorities (see insert in this cies from the U.S. and Canada to de- provincial membership. ADVISOR). scribe their current Great Lakes research By formal resolution, the Executive Oberstar, the ranking agendas. Committee also opposed the recent minority member on Alternate Commissioner Gerry Mikol, designation of Lake Champlain as a the Committee on New York State Department of Environ- Great Lake (see related stories on pages Transportation and In- mental Conservation, moderated a panel 2 and 10). frastructure, described discussion on environmental protection Col. James Houghnon, deputy com- the importance of the and research priorities. David Ullrich, mander of the U.S. Army Corps of En- Binational Great U.S. EPA Region 5, discussed the United gineers’ Great Lakes and Ohio River Lakes-Seaway Rep. Oberstar States obligation for Great Lakes protec- Division, was joined by Larry Hiipakka Enhancement Act of 1998 (H.R. 3147), tion, while John Mills from Environment to discuss the Corps budget, WRDA legislation he introduced on Feb. 3. Canada shared a Canadian perspective. 1996 implementation, WRDA 1998 This bill would authorize the establish- Great Lakes maritime priorities were development and related matters. Con- ment of a single St. Lawrence Seaway discussed by Illinois Commissioner Frank tact: Mike Donahue, operating organization, replacing existing Kudrna, Kudrna & Associates Ltd.; [email protected]. agencies in the U.S. and Canada and re- Michigan Commissioner Tracy Mehan, ducing costs by streamlining administra- Michigan Department of Environmental tive operations. Another provision of Quality; and Steve Fisher, American the Act establishes a Great Lakes Devel- Great Lakes Ports. Keeping it on the Land opment Bank as a new way to raise fund- Soil erosion and sediment control, ...and Out of the Water ing for maritime system improvements. aquatic nuisance species and coastal The Great Lakes Commission has management issues were covered in Soil Erosion and endorsed this legislation. the briefing’s final panel discussion, Sediment Control Techniques Kaptur, a member of the Committee moderated by Wisconsin Commis- for the Great Lakes Basin on Appropriations, discussed soil erosion sioner Nathaniel E. Robinson, Wis- Sept. 16-18, 1998 and sedimentation problems in the Great consin Department of Administration. Radisson Hotel • Toledo, Ohio Lakes basin, among other regional issues. Participants in the discussion were She referred to a section of the Water Ohio Commissioner Bill Moody and Featuring presentations on federal initiatives Resources Development Act of 1996 Gary Isbell, both from the Ohio De- affecting resource conservation efforts in the Great Lakes basin and techniques for reducing that will provide for the development of partment of Natural Resources; and nonpoint source pollution in both rural and ur- sediment transport models for major Tony MacDonald of the Coastal ban environments. Great Lakes tributaries, including the States Organization, a Commission For more information, contact Matt Doss, Maumee River in Ohio. These models Observer agency. Contact: Steve Great Lakes Commission, 734-665-9135, [email protected]. will be used to identify effective soil con- Thorp, [email protected]. servation and preventive sediment man-

Page 8 Commission Briefs

John Glenn honored by Great Lakes community Commission co-sponsors The Great Lakes community honored Sen. John hazmat conference Glenn (D-Ohio) for his 24 years of dedicated service to The 14th Annual International Haz- the Great Lakes region at a March 11 reception spon- ardous Material Spills Conference was sored by the Northeast-Midwest Institute. held in Chicago, Ill., April 5-9. The con- Glenn serves as co-chair of the Senate Great Lakes ference, co-sponsored by the Great Lakes Task Force and has advanced many initiatives, large and Commission, the National Response small, on behalf of the Great Lakes region. He has been Team and several other organizations, at- instrumental in creating laws that prevent and control tracted more than 600 attendees from infestations of nonindigenous aquatic nuisance species Sen. Glenn around the country and 30 international in U.S. waters; clean up and reduce contaminated sedi- guests. ments; restore fish and wildlife; and monitor air toxics. The conference focused on risk man- On February 20, 1962, Glenn became the first American to orbit the earth. agement with breakout sessions offered In October of this year (at the age of 76), he will return to space for 10 days on topics such as rural response and as a payload specialist on a NASA space shuttle, offering scientists a unique counter terrorism. Risk management chance to study the science of aging. planning was highlighted by sessions on “With John Glenn’s retirement, we are losing a good friend and cham- EPA's implementation of Risk Manage- pion of the Great Lakes,” said Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.), who hosted ment Program regulations and the un- the reception. veiling of prototype software designed for Levin has been elected by his colleagues to be the new Democratic co- RMP submission and review. Additional chair of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force. He will replace Glenn upon the sessions reviewed case studies of response Ohio senator’s retirement at the end of 1998. efforts and computer-based training. Contact: Tom Crane, [email protected].

Commission welcomes new program manager, research associates The Commission gram is Lara Slee, new editor of the agement from the U-M. is pleased to an- ADVISOR. Slee has a bachelor’s Prapassara Nilagupta, a graduate nounce the hiring degree in English from the Univer- student in the Department of Re- of Julie Wagemakers sity of Michigan (U-M) and is cur- source Development at Michigan as new manager of rently a graduate student in written State University, joins the Re- the Communica- communication at Eastern Michi- source Management and Environ- tions and Informa- gan University. mental Quality Program to work tion Management Christine Manninen has been on the area contingency planning Wagemakers Program. promoted to project manager and project. She holds a bachelor’s de- Wagemakers comes to the Commis- now oversees development and gree in agro-industrial product de- sion from the International Institute management of the Great Lakes velopment from Kasetsart Univer- for Sustainable Development in Information Network and Great sity in Bangkok, Thailand, and a Winnepeg, Manitoba, where she cur- Lakes Commission web sites, and master’s in packaging from MSU. rently serves as publisher and de- serves as managing editor of the The Commission also is hosting velopment manager. ADVISOR. Fulbright scholar Jennifer Read, a Wagemakers has a bachelor’s de- Derek Moy, a new program spe- doctoral student in environmental gree in microbiology from the Uni- cialist, will work on the toxic air history at the University of Western versity of Manitoba and previously emissions and Great Lakes GIS Ontario. Read’s research focuses on held positions with Canada’s Great Online projects, as well as assist Great Lakes water quality issues and, Lakes Forestry Centre, the Bayfield with computer and network sys- in particular, the roles that Michigan Institute, and the Department of tems administration and mainte- and Ontario governments played in Fisheries and Oceans’ Freshwater nance responsibilities. Moy is formulating policy and negotiating Institute. She will join the Com- working toward a master’s in geog- the Great Lakes Water Quality mission in June. raphy from Eastern Michigan Uni- Agreement of 1972. Also joining the Communications versity. He holds a bachelor’s de- and Information Management Pro- gree in resource ecology and man-

Page 9 Around the Lakes Lake Champlain gains — and loses — ANS conference hits the Great Lakes designation west coast Under an amendment to the Na- Leahy’s treatment of the issue an- The impacts of invasive species on tional Sea Grant Program Reauthori- gered many Great Lakes lawmakers. both marine and freshwater ecosystems zation Act of 1998 (S. 927) proposed “Rather than asking for language along the Pacific coast and Hawaii were by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Lake that would specifically allow Vermont highlighted at the Eighth International Champlain enjoyed a short-lived des- universities to apply for Sea Grant dol- Zebra Mussel and Aquatic Nuisance ignation as a Great Lake. The purpose lars, the definition of a Great Lake was Species Conference in Sacramento, Ca- of the measure was to extend funding changed to include Lake Champlain lif., March 16-19. eligibility to Vermont universities un- when, clearly, it is not,” said Sen. California waters are far less vul- der the Sea Grant Program, which is Abraham as he introduced a bill to nerable to zebra mussel infestation run by the National Oceanic and At- counter the amendment. than much of the Midwest, accord- mospheric Administration. Sen. Leahy’s amendment prompted a ing to a study conducted by Andrew After legislative opposition led by quick and decisive response from the Cohen and Anna Weinstein at the U.S. Sen. Spencer Abraham (R- Great Lakes Commission. Acting at its San Francisco Estuary Institute. Still, Mich.), a compromise was reached March 11 meeting in Washington there is the potential for introductions that revokes Lake Champlain’s desig- D.C., the Executive Committee through infested waters transported nation as a Great Lake, but retains its adopted a policy position that opposed from other parts of the country or eligibility for Sea Grant funding. Simi- the designation. through attachment to aquatic plants lar legislative language introduced in “Designation as such compromises or boat hulls and trailers. the U.S. House by Rep. Fred Upton our decades-old effort to study and Programs and institutional arrange- (R-Mich.) also was adopted. manage the five Great Lakes as in- ments applied in the Great Lakes re- Vermont universities will now be ter-related components of a single gion were highlighted by Great Lakes able to compete for the more than $50 basin,” the position stated. “Further- Commission Project Manager million in research money currently more, it sets a scientifically unten- Katherine Glassner-Shwayder, repre- directed to the existing 26 Sea Grant able precedent that may open the senting the Great Lakes Panel on colleges. Up to now, Vermont has door to designation of other large Aquatic Nuisance Species. She voiced been ineligible because the state does freshwater lakes that also are outside the need for an interjurisdictional ap- not possess any Great Lakes or ocean the Great Lakes basin.” proach to ANS prevention and con- coastline. The position was subsequently com- trol to instill a sense of ownership by “Practically speaking, when it comes municated to every member of the participating agencies and serve as a to counting the Great Lakes, New En- Great Lakes Congressional Delegation. single regional voice to elected leaders glanders will continue to count six and Contact: Mike Donahue, and policymakers. Midwesterners five,” said Leahy about [email protected]. Shwayder expressed the importance the controversy. of building partnerships and conveying consistent messages between the vari- ous jurisdictions in the Great Lakes re- Tributary modeling initiative to advance sediment control efforts gion. Shwayder also participated in a na- State, federal and regional officials sedimentation problems in tributar- tional ANS Task Force meeting on will meet April 29-30 in Ann Arbor, ies and downstream areas. March 19-20. Representing Dr. Michael Mich., for a User’s Workshop associ- A Modeler’s Workshop, March 18- Donahue, Commission executive direc- ated with the Great Lakes Sediment 19 in Chicago, brought together tor and ex-officio member of the Great Transport Modeling Project. more than two dozen modelers and Lakes Panel, Shwayder updated the task Led by the U.S. Army Corps of En- yielded a descriptive listing of 25 force on panel initiatives including in- gineers, with technical support from models; a series of questions to ventories of ANS research and informa- the Great Lakes Commission, the evaluate their applicability; and cri- tion/education materials; model compre- workshop is an important step in teria to be used in the User’s Work- hensive state management plans and implementing Section 516(e) of the shop to prioritize approximately 60 model state legislation; and a regional Water Resources Development Act tributaries eligible for federal funding ANS action plan. Contact: Katherine of 1996. The objective is to provide under Section 516(e). Glassner-Shwayder, [email protected]. the data and information that man- Contact: Mike Donahue, agers need to reduce erosion and [email protected].

Page 10 Around the Lakes

Keeping an eye on storms in the Great Lakes region Spring showers soon will be re- Wallin, regional economist for the Chi- following storms, provides useful in- placed with summer storms through- cago District. “Its primary purpose is to sights to aid lake level management out the Great Lakes region, and lake aid decision-making with regard to lake and predict cumulative dollar dam- levels are expected to rise. Most of level issues.” age for specific areas. these weather systems are merely wet The GLSDRS database will be Computerized storm monitoring, rapid and windy annoyances, but storm- used to create predictive models that turn-around telephone surveying, and generated waves can be threats to illustrate the patterns of storm inci- inhouse data processing and analysis coastal property and safe navigation. dence, seasonality and levels of combine to enable GLSDRS to report The Great Lakes Storm Damage storm damage. The system identifies near real-time information for the entire Reporting System, started in 1993 by storm activity on the Great Lakes us- U.S. shoreline of the Great Lakes basin. the Chicago District of the U.S. ing the CoastWatch’s Marine Obser- Executive summaries are created from Army Corps of Engineers, monitors vation Network, sponsored by the results of each storm, which are avail- Great Lakes storm activity on a daily NOAA. Each day, meteorological able upon request. Within the next few basis. GLSDRS operates a statisti- data is downloaded through months, GLSDRS will be finalizing an cally reliable database with informa- CoastWatch and compared to storm online information resource. tion of interest to scientists and criteria by the Chicago District’s Contact: Dr. David Wallin, property owners within the Great coastal engineers. This data, com- Chicago District, USACE, 312- Lakes basin. bined with damage information from 353-6400 ext. 2015, David.E.Wallin “The system is literally one-of-a- telephone surveys of residential ri- @LRC01.usace.army.mil. kind in providing near real-time parian property owners immediately storm data information,” says Dr. David Lake levels remain high despite mild winter El Nino, the warm Pacific water Lake Superior Water Levels Lake Erie Water Levels system that disrupts global weather 604 575 patterns, has been tied to severe 603 574 drought conditions in Australia, 602 573 601 flooding and mud slides in Califor- 572 600 571 All-time high 1998 (Apr.-Sept. EST) All-time high nia, powerful western hemisphere 599 570 All-time average Feet above sea level 1998 (Apr.-Sept. EST) Feet above sea level All-time low storms, and a very mild Great 598 All-time average 569 All-time low Lakes winter season. 597 568 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Since January 1998, precipitation levels have been above average on all of the Great Lakes, while Lakes Michigan and Huron Water Levels Lake Ontario Water Levels evaporation levels from lake sur- 583 250 582 face water have not increased. 248 581 246 The dominating jet stream flow has 580 244 579 drawn mild, moist Pacific air across All-time high 1998 (Apr.-Sept. EST) 242 All-time high 578

the Great Lakes. Since this air Feet above sea level All-time average Feet above sea level 1998 (Apr.-Sept. EST) flow across the lakes is already car- 577 All-time low 240 All-time average All-time low 576 238 rying moisture and is close to the Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep temperature of the lake surfaces, very little evaporation takes place. Data: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District. “Despite the dry winter influ- enced by El Nino on the northern Great Lakes Hydraulics and Hy- on the other Great Lakes are ex- Great Lakes basins, above average drology Branch of the U.S. Army pected to remain above average precipitation on the lower Great Corps of Engineers, Detroit Dis- through the end of the summer.” Lakes have kept their levels above trict. “Consequently, Lake Supe- Contact: John Love, 313-226-6443, average during the winter and early rior levels are expected to be near [email protected]. spring,” says John Love of the their long-term average but levels

Page 11 Great Lakes Calendar This calendar is a compilation October 15 Exotic Species Day Camp. University of selected events of interest to the 19-20 Annual Meeting of the Great of Minnesota-Duluth; Duluth, MN. Commission. Further details and a Lakes Commission. Buffalo, NY. Contact: Contact: Doug Jensen, more extensive calendar are avail- Mike Donahue, [email protected]. [email protected]. able online via the Great Lakes 18-19 U.P. Waterfest '98. Don H. Bottum Information Network (www.great- Basin events University Center, Northern Michigan lakes.net). University; Marquette, MI. Contact: We encourage your input to the May Contact: Paula Olson, 906-487-3341, [email protected]. calendar. If you know of an event 18-22 41st Annual Conference of the you’d like us to include, please International Association for Great 24 Exotic Species Day Camp. Belle Isle contact Lara Slee, ADVISOR editor, Lakes Research (IAGLR). McMaster Zoo and Aquarium. Detroit, MI. Contact: at 734-665-9135; [email protected]. University; Hamilton, Ontario. Contact: Mike Klepinger, [email protected]. Commission events Dr. Patricia Chow-Fraser, 905-525-9140 ext. 27338, [email protected]. July July 21-22 Great Lakes' Law, Science and 20-21 Workshop on Great Lakes 8-10 12th International Great Lakes- Policy Conference. Maumee Bay State Natural Coastal Hazards to Develop- St. Lawrence Mayors’ Conference. Park; Oregon, OH (just east of Toledo). ment. Milwaukee, WI. Contact: Phil Windsor, Ontario. Contact: Steve Contact: Roger Andersen, 419-530-4136, Keillor, 608-263-5133, jkeillor@ Thorp, [email protected]. [email protected]; or 419-530-2876, seagrant.wisc.edu. [email protected]. 23-24 Workshop on Great Lakes September Natural Coastal Hazards to Develop- 15-16 Beneficial Use of Dredged June ment. Superior, WI. Contact: Phil Keillor, Material Workshop. Toledo, OH. 1-7 National Fishing Week 608-263-5133, jkeillor@ seagrant.wisc.edu. Contact: Steve Thorp, [email protected]. 2-3 Great Lakes Fishery Commission 16-17 Great Lakes Dredging Team Annual Meeting. Chicago, IL. Contact: Meeting. Toledo, OH. Contact: Steve Mark Gaden, 313-662-3209 ext. 14, September Thorp, [email protected]. [email protected] 25-26 Areas of Concern Workshop: Transferring Successful Strategies 6-10 25th Annual Conference on Water 16-18 Soil Erosion and Sediment and Techniques. Gary, IN. Contact: Resources Planning and Management. Control Techniques for the Great Bruce Kirschner, 313-226-2170 ext. Chicago, IL. Contact: American Society of Lakes Basin. Toledo, OH. Contact: 6710, [email protected]. Matt Doss, [email protected]. Civil Engineers, 800-548-2723. Printed on recycled paper.

BULK RATE ADVISOR U.S. POSTAGE PAID Argus II Building 400 Fourth Street PERMIT No. 112 Ann Arbor, MI 48103-4816 ANN ARBOR, MICH.

Address Correction Requested

Time to update your ADVISOR subscription? If you have moved, changed jobs or no longer wish to receive the ADVISOR, let us know! Contact Marilyn Ratliff at 734-665-9135; or send updates via fax (734-665-4370) or e-mail ([email protected]). Remember, you can read the ADVISOR online via the Commission’s home page, http://www.glc.org. Select Publications, Newsletters, then ADVISOR. Page 12 Appropriations FY1999 Great Lakes Commission’s legislative and appropriations Priorities priorities for 105th U.S. Congress, Second Session

The Great Lakes Commission has a responsibility to ensure that a strong federal-state partnership exists to provide for the sustainable use and development of the natural resources of the Great Lakes basin. By formal action of its eight member states, the Commission has adopted a series of legislative and appropriations priorities for consideration by the 105th U.S. Congress, Second Session. These recommendations were developed with a sensitivity toward deficit reduction efforts, and many appropriations requests are well below authorized levels. The Commission urges the Great Lakes Congressional Delegation and the Administration to support the institutions and programs listed on the following pages, all of which are vital to the effective management and protection of the Great Lakes.

Research and Management Great Lakes Science Center to meet binational obligations, as well as pursue (U.S. Geological Survey) federal/state partnerships, will be compromised. Institutions The other U.S. EPA facilities listed are an integral The Great Lakes Science Center has provided part of the U.S. EPA presence in the Great Lakes Great Lakes Commission sound assessments of fish populations critical to basin. The Great Lakes Commission management for several decades; made the The Commission’s enabling legislation, the Great recommends a total funding level of original collections of several introduced species; Lakes Basin Compact, should be amended to $13.228 million in FY1999, which and provided seminal information for the control provide for full voting membeship for the represents level funding. governments of Ontario and Quebec. Every Great of aquatic nuisance species. The Great Lakes Commission recommends FY1999 Lakes state has extant legislation that provides for Great Lakes Fishery Commission full provincial membership; a simple amendment funding of no less than $6.5 million, to the federal consent legislation is needed to which is consistent with the president’s The binational Great Lakes Fishery Commission provide for the same. The Commission urges request. The Commission further formulates and implements a research program Congress to support an amendment to the recommends that additional Great Lakes and a comprehensive sea lamprey control program. Great Lakes Basin Compact (PL 90-419) Science Center budgetary requirements Maintaining strong support for the Great Lakes that will permit the Commission to extend be acknowledged and met to ensure Fishery Commission through the Department of State a membership invitation to the govern- adequate support for Great Lakes Fish budget is important in FY1999 to ensure the ments of Ontario and Quebec. The Water and Wildlife Restoration Act implemen- sustainability of the basin’s multi-billion dollar Resources Development Act of 1998 tation and other anticipated initiatives. fishery and to coordinate and conduct fisheries should be considered (among others) as research and management activities. The Great a vehicle for introducing the Compact U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Lakes Commission urges Congress to appropriate no less than $12.5 million in amendment. • Great Lakes National Program Office FY1999. Coupled with Canadian funding obliga- Great Lakes Environmental • Environmental Research tions and a three-year, $3 million commitment from Research Laboratory (NOAA) Laboratory at Duluth, MN the state of Michigan, such an appropriation will • Large Lakes Research Station allow the Fishery Commission to address lamprey The Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory at Grosse Ile, MI control goals and place a much-needed and (GLERL) is the only Great Lakes research laboratory enhanced focus on the St. Marys River. The Great with the staff and equipment necessary to examine The Great Lakes National Program Office Lakes Commission also urges Congress to physical phenomena in concert with biogeochemi- (GLNPO) has an important federal/state enact legislation authorizing the Secretary of cal/ecosystem and water quality studies. The coordination role, undertakes a range of the Army to work in conjunction with the Commission recommends base funding of research and monitoring activities, provides Great Lakes Fishery Commission to control $6.8 million for GLERL in FY1999. GLERL is technical and financial assistance to Remedial sea lamprey via structural and/or being moved from Oceanic and Atmospheric Action Plan committees, and pursues a variety of nonstructural measures. An annual appro- Research to the National Ocean Service. In the special projects in partnership with state and priation of $25 million is recommended. process, $825,000 in permanent adjustments to federal agencies, tribal authorities and other base normally received from OAR are being interests. Furthermore, it plays a pivotal International Joint Commission wrapped into the base budget in NOS. Thus, the leadership role in overseeing fulfillment of U.S. Also funded through the Department of State is president’s request of $6.025 million for FY1999 is commitments under the U.S.-Canada Great Lakes the International Joint Commission (IJC), a actually a decrease from FY1998 levels. The Water Quality Agreement. The Great Lakes binational agency responsible for addressing Commission-recommended level will allow GLERL to Commission recommends that GLNPO be issues and concerns arising along the U.S./ more adequately fund existing programs and funded at $15.7 million in FY1999, a Canada boundary. The IJC plays a critical role, projects, strengthen its scientific staff and rebuild figure that reflects its total FY1998 through the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, critical research infrastructure. budget. Without such support, GLNPO’s ability in shaping binational, basinwide air and water

Continued on next page quality program and environmental The program targets funds to Great Lakes FY1999 remediation efforts. To meet extant problem areas, offers competitive grants to binational commitments and to the eight states and local jurisdictions, and AppropriationsPriorities prepare for emerging challenges, the maintains an information/education Great Lakes Commission urges Congress to program to promote improved water quality restore IJC funding to its 1992 level of and agricultural productivity through $3.8 million. responsible urban and agricultural land-use practices. The Commission advocates National Sea Grant College Program inclusion of a $750,000 appropria- tion in the Conservation Operations The National Sea Grant College Program portion of the USDA budget for promotes and supports scientific research and FY1999, as a means to safeguard outreach programs for marine and freshwater Commission under Section 1203 of NISA. past progress and maintain critical work. resources. The member states of the Great Lakes This will support continued staffing and The Commission further advocates that the Commission benefit substantially from the six Sea operation of the NISA-mandated Great Great Lakes basin be designated a priority Grant programs in the region and their research, Lakes Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species. area under the Environmental Quality education and advisory services. The president’s Incentives Program (EQIP), established in Appropriate a minimum of $450,000 to budget request reflects a significant reduction • the federal Agriculture Improvement and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under over FY1998 appropriations. That request would Reform Act. Section 1204 of NISA for implementation of adversely impact the Sea Grant programs in the comprehensive state management plans. Great Lakes states and also may affect ANS Section 319 of the Clean Water Act research, which was rolled into base Sea Grant • Appropriate $500,000 to the U.S. Army funding last year. The Commission urges The Section 319 program, authorized in the Clean Corps of Engineers under Section 1202 of Congress to appropriate $64.8 million to Water Act, is the U.S. EPA’s primary tool for NISA for the design and construction of a the National Sea Grant College Program addressing nonpoint source pollution problems in dispersal barrier in the Chicago Shipping and in FY1999. The Commission applauds the Great Lakes basin and nationally. Enhanced Sanitary Canal to protect the Great Lakes and Congress for reauthorizing the National Sea Grant funding for the Section 319 program, an integral Mississippi River ecosystem from the spread Program Act this year, but has expressed its part of the president’s Clean Water and Watershed of aquatic nuisance species. opposition to the now-repealed provision that Restoration initiatives, will assist the Great Lakes Appropriate $2 million to the U.S. Army defined Lake Champlain as a Great Lake for states in developing and implementing control plans • Corps of Engineers for public facility research purposes of the act. The Commission is for nonpoint pollution. The Commission on zebra mussel control. opposed to any present or future legislative supports the president’s request of $195 effort that offers a Great Lake designation to million for Section 319 funding in FY1999. • Appropriate $2.5 million to the U.S. Coast any body of water that is physically outside Guard for the Ballast Water Guidelines and of the Great Lakes basin. Aquatic Nuisance Species Prevention Program. Prevention and Control Water Resources Research Institutes Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act The aquatic nuisance species problem in the Great The Department of the Interior’s Water Re- Lakes is of tremendous and growing concern. In The Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act of sources Research Institute Program supports 1996, Congress enacted the National Invasive 1990 calls for the study, assessment and response to fish critical research at numerous Great Lakes Species Act, which provides a multifaceted approach and wildlife needs in the Great Lakes basin. A Fishery universities. This research directly benefits Great to the problem via intergovernmental coordination, Resources Restoration Study was completed in 1995, Lakes Commission member state programs and research support, demonstration projects, ballast and implementation of various ecosystem projects will has fostered partnerships to enhance the management measures, and related prevention and be pursued in cooperation with states, tribes and other efficiency and effectiveness of policymaking and control strategies. Effective programs targeted at the interested entities. The Commission urges management activities. Congress is urged to Great Lakes basin can slow or prevent the spread of Congress to reauthorize this Act and, to meet maintain support for the WRRI program such species to other regions of North America. the above requirements, appropriate $5 at a level not less than last year’s The Commission urges Congress to support million in FY1999. appropriation. NISA-authorized programs and, in particu- lar, the following: Air Quality Improvements The Commission urges Congress to support Resource Management and Support the president’s budget request of • the Clean Air Act Great Waters Program in $3.2 million for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Environmental FY1999 at the previous year’s level of $3 Service to implement NISA. Protection Programs million, and recommends that at least $1.5 Support the president’s budget request million of this amount be directed to the Great Lakes Basin Program for Soil Erosion • for $750,000 for the U.S. Geological Survey Great Lakes region. Through inventory efforts, and Sediment Control (Biological Resources Division) to research and monitoring of toxic deposition, this The Great Lakes Basin Program is a federal/state implement NISA. program addresses a regionwide priority. The partnership managed cooperatively by the Great Commission is presently managing, through a U.S. EPA/ Appropriate a minimum of $55,000 for Lakes Commission, U.S. EPA Region 5 and the • state partnership, a Great Lakes Regional Air Toxics pass-through from the U.S. Fish and Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA). Emissions Inventory Project as part of the Great Wildlife Service to the Great Lakes Waters Program. Appropriations FY1999 National Coastal Zone Management Program Great Lakes Water Conservation: Funding For Water Resources Priorities and Coastal Monitoring Chicago Harbor Leakage Control Development Act of 1996 Provisions The informed use, management and protection of Section 320 of the Water Resources Development The Water Resources Development Act of coastal areas is of critical concern to the eight Great Act of 1996 authorized the U.S. Army Corps of 1996 contains many important Great Lakes- Lakes states, which collectively account for 5,000 Engineers to repair leakage through navigation applicable provisions. This law recognizes the need miles of shoreline. NOAA’s Coastal Zone Manage- structures at Chicago to reduce wasteful lake to consider the goal of navigation channel ment Program provides much-needed state grants diversion. The Commission urges Congress to maintenance along with goals for environmental for coordination, planning and management provide the Corps of Engineers with an protection, restoration and sediment management. programs. The Commission urges Congress additional $500,000 in FY1999 for engi- The Commission urges Congress to consider to support an increase in the president’s neering design, plans and construction of the following as funding priorities for overall budget request from $66.5 million leakage repairs. Energy and Water Appropriations for to $75.5 million. This includes $58.7 FY1999: million for Section 306/309 grants to states to address needs of new states and Maritime Transportation and Section 204, Restoration of Environmental CZM demands on state coastal resources; Quality: This provision expanded previous $6 million in Section 309 enhancement Other Infrastructure Needs authority allowing the Corps to conduct restoration grants; and $5 million in Section 6217 Water Resources Development Act of 1998 work outside of a project area if the project had funds to address the problem of coastal caused or contributes to the problem. The The Great Lakes Commission believes the introduc- nonpoint pollution. Commission urges Congress to appropriate tion and passage of a Water Resources Development $20 million. Act of 1998 (WRDA ’98) during the 105th Congress U.S. Geological Survey’s Water Quality is important. The Commission urges Congress Partnership Programs Section 205, Environmental Dredging: The to consider the following for implementa- Great Lakes states strongly support this provision The proposed FY1999 budget for the U.S. tion and funding: which reauthorized Section 312 (WRDA 1990), Geological Survey provides for a USGS/National Park Support introduction and passage of a recognizing that the dredging of contaminated Service partnership under the president’s Clean • Water Resources Development Act of 1998. sediments outside authorized navigation channels Water Initiative/Action Plan. The Commission will be important in the Great Lakes. The urges Congress to appropriate $2.5 Support a WRDA ’98 provision that • Commission urges Congress to appropriate million to a USGS/NPS partnerships would require a U.S. Army Corps of funds not to exceed $20 million to cover benefiting NPS watersheds. The needs of Engineers study of the recreational any related funding requirements from impaired watersheds in the Great Lakes navigation benefits that accrue from those Great Lakes areas identified for basin should be fully considered as federal maintenance of harbors and priority attention. allocation decisions are made. navigation channels, which provide access to recreational boats, and incorporate Section 207, Beneficial Uses of Dredged Great Lakes Mediation Concerning Illinois’ findings in the Corps’ Cost Savings Material: This provision allows for a disposal Lake Michigan Diversion: Memorandum of Initiative process. method other than the least costly if the additional Understanding, July 1996 • Support a WRDA ’98 provision that costs are reasonable in relation to environmental Section 1142 of the Water Resources Develop- would waive the interest charges on the benefits. The Commission urges Congress to ment Act of 1986 made the U.S. Army Corps of nonfederal cost share for a new lock at appropriate $2 million for use at Great Engineers responsible for the measurement and Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. Lakes projects. This amount represents accounting of Lake Michigan diversion to assess level funding from FY1998. Support a WRDA ’98 provision that Illinois’ compliance with U.S. Supreme Court • would authorize the Corps of Engineers to decrees. The Great Lakes MOU of July 1996 Section 221, Planning Assistance to States: cooperate with states or local governments between the states and the United States specified This provision allows the Corps of Engineers to in providing assessment, planning and a new lakefront measurement and accounting support states in planning, development, utilization design assistance for remediation, system to be tested concurrently with operation and conservation of water resources. Great Lakes environmental restoration, or redevelop- of the existing system. The new system was to be states and tribal authorities use this program ment of brownfields where such action started in 1997, operated for three years and will contribute to the conservation Continued on next page recommended to the U.S. Supreme Court in the and protection of the water and form of a decree modification. The FY1998 related resources of drainage Corps budget did not request funds, so the three- basins, watersheds and ecosystems year dual accounting period has been delayed. within the United States. The Commission urges Congress to provide the Corps of Engineers with an appropriation Support a WRDA ‘98 provision that of an additional $500,000 for FY1999 and • would authorize the U.S. Army Corps $300,000 per year for two subsequent years of Engineers, in partnership with to undertake the dual measurement, the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, accounting and quality assurance/quality to assist with the construction of sea control work it agreed to do in the 1996 lamprey barriers. MOU. extensively and account for more Harbor Maintenance Tax be increased to account for the elimination FY1999 than half of available funding for the past of revenue from the proposed fees. In March 1998, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the several years. The Commission recom- AppropriationsPriorities Harbor Maintenance Tax unconstitutional as it mends support for the president’s budget Soo Lock applies to exports. In 1990, Congress tripled the ad request of $5 million. valorem Harbor Maintenance Tax from .04 percent A new large lock is needed at Sault Ste. Marie, Section 227, Shore Protection: The Great to .125 percent on the value of cargo. At that new Mich., to replace two old, obsolete locks. The Lakes states support this provision, recognizing level, the tax takes more money from U.S. maritime proposed lock requires a large, nonfederal cost that protection, restoration and enhancement of trade than is spent on harbor maintenance; diverts share. The Great Lakes Commission applauds sandy beaches is important for certain locations cargo to competing land modes that are more Congress for passing legislation in 1996 that will on the Great Lakes. The Commission polluting, congestive and energy-consuming than reduce the nonfederal cost share amount and supports the establishment of a na- water transport; and encourages shipment of U.S. extend the payback period. The Commission and tional shoreline erosion control devel- goods through nearby Canadian ports that do not the Great Lakes states are now working diligently to opment and demonstration program as pay the tax. As a result of the court ruling, changes secure the nonfederal cost share. The Commis- provided for in the legislation. The in how harbor maintenance is funded at sion recommends that Congress support Commission further recommends federallyauthorized harbors may be proposed. The appropriations for construction of a new appropriations of $21 million nation- Commission urges Congress to carefully Soo lock when agreement on funding the ally, or a level that ensures that no review any proposed changes to the current nonfederal cost share is secured. The fewer than two Great Lakes sites are Harbor Maintenance Tax. The Commission Commission also urges Congress to funded. also advocates legislation to match Harbor appropriate $500,000 to continue current Maintenance revenue to the revenue level preconstruction, engineering and design Section 515, Great Lakes Remedial Action needed to fund harbor maintenance work for the proposed lock. Plans and Sediment Remediation: The nationally. Commission urges Congress to appropri- Border Fees The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw ate $5 million to fund Remedial Action The Great Lakes-Canada connection is the center Plan (RAP) development and implemen- The U.S. Coast Guard of a huge flow of goods and people. The Great tation at identified priority sites on the cutter Mackinaw is the Lakes states account for more than half of U.S.- Great Lakes. These monies could be available only Great Lakes-stationed Canada trade, which is the largest such bilateral to local governments and nongovernment vessel capable of breaking arrangement in the world. The Commission entities. heavy ice, which otherwise urges Congress to carefully review and Section 516, Sediment Management: The would block carriage of oppose any current or proposed revenue Great Lakes states strongly support the intent of cargoes needed for major measure that could adversely affect this provision, although the development of U.S. Great Lakes industries people and goods movement across the sediment transport models may not be necessary early and late in the Canadian border and thereby discriminate or appropriate in all circumstances. Adequate shipping season. The Coast Guard currently is against the Great Lakes region. levels of funding and technical support should considering options for either retrofitting the be targeted at applicable Great Lakes tributary Mackinaw or building a new heavy ice breaker for Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant rivers to support planning and implementation Great Lakes operations. The Commission urges Responsibility Act of 1996 Congress to ensure funding and operation of activities already underway, and to implement Section 110 of the Illegal Immigration Reform the Mackinaw, until a long-term plan for sediment reduction efforts within the watershed. and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 providing heavy ice breaking is in place. The Commission urges Congress to requires the U.S. Attorney General to develop by appropriate $1 million. This amount Navigational Assistance and Ice Breaking September 30, 1998, an automated entry-exit represents a $500,000 increase from User Fees control system to register all aliens entering and FY1998, which funded modeling for departing the United States. This entry-exit several tributaries. This modest The administration’s budget for FY1999 proposes a control system could result in significant increase will allow modeling to begin new navigational assistance user fee to cover the cost of congestion and major delays at land crossings. on several additional tributaries. various forms of navigational assistance related to In the Great Lakes region these delays will, placement and maintenance of buoys and other aids-to- among other problems, disrupt just-in-time St. Lawrence Seaway navigation, radio navigation and vessel traffic services. delivery schedules for manufacturing industries The Coast Guard portion of the navigational assistance Various proposals to restructure both Canadian and unduly complicate personal travel. The user fee is targeted at $35 million for FY1999 and $165 Commission urges Congress to eliminate and U.S. seaway operations have been advanced, million annually thereafter. These fees and, in particular, as well as ideas to reduce or eliminate existing the requirement of the planned automated any ice- breaking fees would unduly burden the Great entry-exit control at the Canadian border. Canadian seaway tolls. The Commission Lakes steel industry and electric utilities that depend on urges Congress to support passage of the Also, the Commission urges Congress to Great Lakes shipping for the safe, efficient and low-cost require a comprehensive study of such Binational Great Lakes Seaway Enhance- movement of raw materials and fuel. The Commis- ment Act of 1998 (H.R. 3147) and support border control measures before consider- sion urges Congress to oppose the proposed ing any new measures. efforts for elimination of Canadian seaway navigational assistance user fees and Coast tolls along with review of Canadian Guard ice breaking user fees (taxes) for the seaway initiatives. Great Lakes. The Coast Guard budget should