Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Report Released: Pharmaceuticals and Endocrine Active Chemicals in Minnesota Lakes

Recently, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), a state agency which "monitors environmental quality, offers technical and financial assistance, and enforces environmental regulations," issued a report titled, Pharmaceuticals and Endocrine Active Chemicals in Minnesota Lakes  (2013). The 52-page report is available here, while other related studies are available on the MPCA, Water Quality website. 

EcoAdapt Report Released: The State of Climate Change Adaptation in the Great Lakes Region

Recently, EcoAdapt a pro-environmental nonprofit organization that "bring[s] together diverse players in the conservation, policy, science, and development communities to reshape conservation and resource management in response to rapid climate change," released a report titled,  The State of Climate Change Adaptation in the Great Lakes Region (2012). The 246-page report available here,

details the efforts of EcoAdapt to survey, inventory, and assess (where possible) climate change adaptation efforts for freshwater resources in the Great Lakes. Over 100 examples of adaptation initiatives from the natural and built environments are provided, along with 57 case studies of select projects and programs.

The report and case studies provide useful information on climate change adaptation in the region for both novice and experienced practitioners. Readers can learn about different types of adaptation strategies, find real world examples of how others in similar disciplines or regions are incorporating climate change into their own work, and locate the people and tools needed to help move their adaptation efforts forward.

Waterlife

This video from the National Film Board of Canada describes the Great Lakes affect us all. "As species of fish disappear and rates of birth defects and cancer rise, it seems one thing is clear: the Great Lakes are changing and something's not quite right with the water...Superior to the Atlantic Ocean, through the lives of some of the 35 million people who rely on the lakes for survival. Providing Earth with 20 percent of its surface fresh water and its third largest industrial economy, the Great Lakes are a unique and precious resource under assault by toxins, sewage, invasive species, evaporating water and profound apathy. They are also one of the planet's great preserves of extraordinary wilderness beauty and a bounty of unique species."

Re·store·á·Nation: The Economic Benefits of Restoring the Lands and Waters of our National Parks-- NPCA

This report from the National Parks Conservation Association highlights the need for continuing investments in restoration projects to sustain economies, maintain healthy ecosystems, address climate change, and create American jobs.

The report includes examples from: California, the Great Lakes, Louisiana, Maine, Connecticut, Washington, Colorado, and Arkansas. Click here to view a slide show of report images and projects.

Re·store·á·Nation highlights projects throughout the country that demonstrate economic benefits, including:

• Restoring coastal wetlands in Connecticut was significantly correlated with an average increase in housing values of more than $11,000.
• Implementing a comprehensive Great Lakes restoration strategy could support nearly $50 billion in economic activity in the region.
• Restoring the Elwha River in Olympic National Park is projected to generate 1,200 new jobs in Clallam County, Washington.
• Implementing Florida’s state climate action plan would generate 148,000 jobs over 16 years, including nearly 40,000 jobs restoring and establishing forests.

The report also includes the findings of a recent study that found conserving or restoring land instead of using it for industrial development is correlated with sustained economic growth.

Our Great Lakes Water Resources: Conserving and Protecting Our Water Today for Use Tomorrow -- NY DEC

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, in response to a 2008 directive of the New York State Legislature, the Great Lakes Basin Advisory Council (GLBAC) has released its final report on the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact (Compact). The report is meant to guide New York's implementation of the requirements of the Compact. It indentifies key recommendations to ensure sustainable protections for New York's Great Lakes watershed.

Key Report Recommendations include:

• Passing final legislation to regulate water withdrawals statewide
• Increasing information collection on aquifer and stream flows
• Establishing incentives to promote business and residential water conservation
• Investing substantially to reduce leaks in water infrastructure
The Council believes that the effort invested in this document will support New York's Governor, Legislature and citizens in fully implementing the Compact.

Final Recommendations Of The Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force

The White House Council on Environmental Quality issued its Final Recommendations of the Ocean Policy Task Force on July 19, 2010, which would establish a National Policy for the Stewardship of the Ocean, Coasts, and Great Lakes (National Policy) and create a National Ocean Council (NOC) to strengthen ocean governance and coordination.

The Final Recommendations prioritize actions for the NOC to pursue, and call for a flexible framework for coastal and marine spatial planning to address conservation, economic activity, user conflict, and sustainable use of the ocean, our coasts and the Great Lakes. The NOC would coordinate across the Federal Government to implement the National Policy. The Final Recommendations also call for the establishment of a Governance Coordinating Committee to formally engage with state, tribal, and local authorities, The Final Recommendations [have been] adopted into an Executive Order by President Obama."