Included in this edition:

Directors Chester and DeBeaussaert Discuss Threat of Invasive Species

Ohio Lake Erie Commission Seeking Proposals for Lake Erie Watershed Pilot Projects

Great Lakes Grants Available

Wisconsin Announces $1.78 Million in Grants for  Coastal Communities

Great Lakes Group Changes Name

2005 "Life on Lake Erie" Photo Contest

Collaboration Teams Convene in Traverse City

Director Chester used the opportunity to announce that there are ballast water treatment methods available which could be used by ocean-going vessels to prevent introductions of aquatic invasive species into the Great Lakes. Public Act 114 of 2001 required the DEQ to make a determination on whether there is ballast water treatment that could be used by ocean-going ships that would adequately address the safety of the vessel, crew and passengers, and would be effective in the prevention of introducing new aquatic nuisance species into the Great Lakes.

“The technology exists, and it is time that the ships using our Great Lakes take on the responsibility for protecting these natural treasures,” said Director Chester. “Ballast water is an all too common carrier for invasive species that can devastate the Great Lakes, and we must take action now to address it.”

As part of his determination, Director Chester set January 1, 2007, as the date by which ballast water treatment could be used by all ocean-going vessels operating on the Great Lakes.

“Invasive species pose a serious and ever growing threat to our Great Lakes and their native wildlife,” said Director DeBeaussaert. “While our country spends billions of dollars dealing with the effects of invasive species, Michigan still has an opportunity to prevent this issue from growing into a greater crisis affecting our multi-billion dollar Great Lakes sport and commercial fishery.”

Aquatic nuisance species are waterborne, non-native organisms that threaten the diversity or abundance of native species, the ecological stability of impacted waters, or that threaten commercial, agricultural, and recreational activity dependent on waters of the state.

The harm caused by invasive species such as the zebra mussel, Eurasian water milfoil, round goby, and spiny water flea in the Great Lakes is widespread. For example, utilities annually spend tens of millions of dollars to combat zebra mussel infestations, which clog water intake valves. Milfoil chokes many waterways, requiring either expensive “mowing” of the weed or chemical treatment that has unintended consequences.

To view a copy of the Final Determination and Notice Regarding Ballast Water Treatment for Oceangoing Vessels on the Great Lakes, click on this Web address http://www.deq.state.mi.us/documents/deq-ogl-ballastdetermination.pdf

Ohio Lake Erie Commission Seeking Proposals for Lake Erie Watershed Pilot Projects

In an effort to accomplish the goals outlined by the Lake Erie Balanced Growth Program, the Ohio Lake Erie Commission (LEC) is now accepting proposals for pilot projects to develop Watershed Balanced Growth Plans in Ohio's Lake Erie basin. Deadline for submitting proposals is July 1, 2005.

Up to $200,000 will go to each of three projects that test the planning recommendations of the Balanced Growth Task Force. The money, which is provided by the Ohio Water Development Authority, will be distributed over three years and will require no local match.  Priority consideration will be given to locally driven watershed planning partnerships from three diverse watershed types - urban, suburban and rural.

These partnerships will also be chosen on their ability to demonstrate organizational options, planning approaches and applicability to different watersheds. Grants will go to legally organized partnerships that include or are supported by multiple governmental units and have up-front support from at least 75 percent of those units with land-use planning authority.  Preference will be given to partnerships that have demonstrated the ability to complete watershed planning activities or other significant accomplishments.

A committee of representatives of state agencies will evaluate the proposals, with final selection coming from the Ohio Lake Erie Commission on September 14.

The Balanced Growth Program is the product of the Balanced Growth Blue Ribbon Task Force, which was created by Governor Bob Taft to address serious problems associated with growth in the Lake Erie basin. Recommendations of the task force provide a voluntary method for the state to encourage and support orderly growth and change at a local level.

Visit the Ohio Lake Erie Commission web site at www.epa.state.oh.us/oleo or call the commission office at 419-245-2514 for additional information on the Lake Erie watershed pilot projects.

Great Lakes Grants Available

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's  Great Lakes National Program Office is requesting Great Lakes project submissions addressing one or more of the following topics: Pollution Prevention and Toxics Reduction, Habitat (Ecological) Protection and Restoration, Emerging or Strategic Issues (including Invasive Species), Remedial Action Plan (RAP) Priorities, and Lakewide Management Plan (LaMP) Priorities.

A total estimated amount of up to $4,692,000, for 40 to 100 projects, may be awarded under this announcement for furthering protection and cleanup of the Great Lakes ecosystem.

The deadline for all project submittals is 8:00 AM Central time, Tuesday morning, May 31, 2005.

It is requested that submittals be developed using the electronic Project Submission System (PSS2005).

The Funding Guidance and the PSS2005 program are available from http://www.epa.gov/glnpo/fund/2005guid/

For general questions, please contact Michael Russ at 312-886-4013.

Wisconsin Announces $1.78 Million in Grants for  Coastal Communities

Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle has announced $1.78 million in grants to protect and enhance Wisconsin's coastal communities.  Administered by the Wisconsin Department of Administration's Coastal Management Program, the federal grants will be used by nonprofit organizations, as well as local, state, and tribal governments to assist with projects totaling nearly $5 million.

The intergovernmental and private sector collaborations aided by the Wisconsin Coastal Management Grants advance the priorities of the Council of Great Lakes Governors such as sustainable use practices and pollution control. As co-chair of the council, Governor Doyle is working with his Great Lakes colleagues, federal cabinet agencies, tribes, and the Great Lakes Cities organization to develop an action plan by December 2005 for the long-term health of the lakes.

Projects receiving grants this year are working to control runoff pollution, preserve wetlands, protect critical habitats, provide for sustainable coastal communities, promote Great Lakes education, and enhance public recreational access to Lakes Michigan and Superior.

Recipients for this year's grants were recommended by the Wisconsin Coastal Management Council, a Governor-appointed citizen and governmental advisory group. The funds are part of Wisconsin's federally funded Coastal Management Program.

The Wisconsin Coastal Management Program balances natural resource protection and sustainable economic development along Wisconsin's Great Lakes coasts. The program awards federal funds from the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management and U.S. Department of Commerce, to local governments and other entities for innovative coastal initiatives.

Additional information is available online at

  http://coastal.wisconsin.gov

A list of projects receiving grants is listed on the Governor's website:

http://www.wisgov.state.wi.us/journal_media_detail.asp?prid=1058

Great Lakes Group Changes Name

The oldest Great Lakes citizens' organization has announced that it is changing its name to better address the growing number of Great Lakes issues requiring a regional response, such as Michigan's proposed invasive species prevention bill.

Senate Bill 332 S would enable Michigan to use its authority under the federal Clean Water Act to set standards using scientifically sound methods for controlling ballast water -- the largest known source of invading aquatic nuisance species.

The need for Great Lakes states to seize upon a regional approach to the invasive species problem, the Great Lakes "restoration" effort before Congress, and other basin-wide Great Lakes issues, was the motivating force behind the 35-year-old organization's decision to change its name.

Formed in 1970, the Alliance for the Great Lakes (formerly the Lake Michigan Federation) is the oldest independent citizens' Great Lakes organization in North America. Its mission is to conserve and restore the world's largest freshwater resource using policy, education and local efforts, ensuring a healthy Great Lakes and clean water for generations of people and wildlife. More about the Alliance for the Great Lakes is online at www.greatlakes.org.

2005 "Life on Lake Erie" Photo Contest

Amateur "shutterbugs" and professional photographers alike are encouraged to enter this year's "Life On Lake Erie" Photo Contest, sponsored by the Ohio Lake Erie Commission (LEC).

For the first time, the Lake Erie Commission has opened this popular photography competition toprofessionals in the field.

Amateur and professional photographs will be judged separately.  Under contest rules, professional photographers are people who earn more than fifty-one percent of their income from photography. The 2005 contest has no specific subject categories and may depict any person, plant, wildlife, activity or scene that captures the unique character of the lake's watershed.  All photo entries must have been taken between August 7, 2004 and August 1, 2005.

Deadline for submitting photos is August 5, 2005.

To enter, send a 5x7" print or digital picture via U.S. Mail (along with a completed entry form) to the commission's headquarters at One Maritime Plaza, Fourth Floor, Toledo, Ohio 43604.  Digital entries must be in jpg, gif or tif format and be in a minimum resolution of 1600x1200.  Black and white, as well as color photographs, are encouraged.

Last year's contest drew 266 entries that illustrated six different aspects of Coastal Ohio life.  First place winners were from Lorain, Blacklick, Ashtabula, Port Clinton, Marblehead and Copley.

Additional information and rules about the 2005 "Life On Lake Erie" Photo Contest is available at the commission's Toledo office at 419-245-2514 or at the commission's website at: www.epa.state.oh.us/oleo .

Collaboration Teams Convene in Traverse City

In May 2004, President Bush signed a Presidential Executive Order recognizing the Great Lakes as a national treasure, calling for the creation of a "Regional Collaboration of National Significance" and a cabinet-level interagency Task Force.

The Great Lakes Regional Collaboration brings together a federal Task Force, the Great Lakes states, local communities, Tribes, regional bodies, and other interests in the Great Lakes region. The Great Lakes Framework calls for these parties to, within one year, design a strategy to restore and protect the Great Lakes now and into the future.

The "Great Lakes Regional Collaboration" (GLRC) convened in Chicago, IL on Friday, December 3, 2004. The Conveners Meeting was the official launch of this collaborative effort.

The eight Issue Area Strategy Teams are

• Habitat/species
• Indicators and information
• Persistent bioacculumative toxics reduction
• Invasive species
• Sustainable development
• Coastal health
• Non-point source
• Areas of Concern restoration/sediments

After numerous meetings and conference calls, the Strategy Teams and the executive Committee will convene in Traverse City, Michigan, on April 28-29 to work on draft reports which will be merged into a draft Strategy to be released for public comment in July, 2005.

For further information on the activities of the Office of the Great Lakes, contact:

Office of the Great Lakes

Michigan Department of Environmental Quality

P.O. Box 30473

Lansing, Michigan 48909-7973

• Telephone: 517-335-4056

• FAX: 517-335-4053

• Internet: http://www.michigan.gov/deqogl

Questions or Comments:

Contact Martha Waszak - phone: 517-335-4112;  fax: 517-335-4053

e-mail address: waszakm@michigan.gov