News Story

Great Lakes Restoration Featured on “Living on Earth”

I’m sure many of you have heard the radio show “Living On Earth” on NPR before. This week they are featuring a story with some Healing Our Waters Coalition members. It’s a really good, concise recap of what’s up with the Great Lakes and how President Obama is proposing to fund restoring the lakes and reviving our economy.

You can listen online here

or find out when it’s playing near you.

Sen. Gillibrand “on message” for the Great Lakes

Here is a link to a North Country Public Radio story about President Obama’s commitment to Great Lakes Restoration that we understand will be airing on the NPR show Living On Earth.

What struck me most about this story was a short quote from the new junior Senator from New York, Kirsten Gillibrand. She absolutely nailed the message that investing in Great Lakes restoration will create jobs and grow the economy. The story also mentions that Senator Gillibrand intends to use her new seat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee to fight for Great Read More » »

Wisc. Radio Network Interview re Great Lakes Funding

The Wisconsin Radio Network is running a story today featuring yours truly about the importance of Congress - especially appropriators - in following the President’s lead on investing in Great Lakes restoration and economic recovery.

Listen to the Wisconsin Radio Network story

EPA Administrator on Invasive Species, Great Lakes

EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson’s remarks have been gaining media attention in the region–especailly her call to get tough on aquatic invasive species.

Here are some of the first ones to hit.

From the Associated Press: EPA chief reconsidering ship ballast permit

And this from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: EPA chief open to tougher policy on invasive species

You can view Lisa Jackson’s remarks on YouTube here.

Washington Post on White House Commitment to Great Lakes

Check out Page A 11 in today’s Washington Post, previewing today’s keynote addresses by EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson and Chairman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality Nancy Sutley. They are appearing at Great Lakes Commission and Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition meetings today.

It starts: “With everything that’s gone haywire in the economy since last summer, who among us recalls Obama’s promises in the primary campaign involving the Great Lakes — so important to states such as Indiana and Michigan? The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition does.”

They’re right. We remember. Read More » »

Lakes Make National News

This weekend, ABC News published a Christian Science Monitor story detailing what is happening in the Great Lakes. Writer George Tombs, covers the list of issues and describes how they are affecting the lives of those of us who live around and work on the Great Lakes in great detail.

What does a Bush and a Frog Have in Common?

President George W. Bush and Kermit the Frog shared a theme song that President-Elect Barack Obama probably doesn’t even know the words to - no, while Bush and Kermit find it’s not easy being green, Obama’s only problem seems to be which shade to embrace - chartreuse, perhaps?

While Bush support seemed to be more of the dine and dash variety - all for Great Lakes restoration until the bill showed up - Obama campaigned head on promising billions to restore the lakes while creating jobs.

The Chicago Tribune’s Michael Hawthorne writes that Chicago’s Howard Learner of the Environmental Law Read More » »

Boat Tour Makes a Splash in Buffalo

The City of Buffalo could not have been a better location to kickoff the Healthy Lakes, Healthy Lives Boat Tour. With the help of local elected officials like Congressman Higgins, and Healing Our Waters - Great Lakes Coalition members, we are really getting the message out about the urgent need to protect and restore the Great Lakes to benefit our economy and our way of life. What follows is a partial list of press from our stop in Buffalo. Don’t forget to sign the petition to the presidential candidates.   Read More » »

Wisconsin Joins Michigan In Ballast Battle

Wisconsin has taken steps to join Michigan as the second state to regulate ballast water in the Great Lakes sending a clear signal to Washington that absent Congressional leadership and legislation, the state is prepared take the initiative to create ad hoc ballast controls. As it turns out, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has the legal authority to regulate ballast water discharges under the state’s Pollutant Discharge Elimination System so international shippers may soon have to apply for permits for discharges into Lakes Michigan and Superior.

Wisconsin’s determination of its legal authority to regulate ballast water under existing state Read More » »

Great Lakes Mayors Issue Latest Challenge To Presidential Candidates: Great Lakes Support Key To Winning Midwest

Great Lakes Governor’s ring are you listening? A pledge like sugar on your lips sure would glisten. A beautiful sight, the Great Lakes Mayors unite asking for you to lend the Lakes a hand. First Wisconsin Governor Doyle lead the eight Great Lakes governors in asking the presidential hopefuls to outline their vision for the Great Lakes. Next, four Great Lakes Congressmen sent a letter to the candidates asking them to take a pledge to shepherd restoration into law and fully fund it while in office. Now, the Mayors of the Great Lakes have come forth and issued Read More » »