Municipal Elections in Québec
On Sunday, November 5, municipal elections took place for all Québec municipalities. We congratulate all candidates for their efforts and care for the democratic process. We look forward to continued work with all reelected incumbents and new mayors. We especially thank Mayor Denis Lapointe, of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, for his leadership, vision and joy over the last 14 years as a member of our Board of Directors. Mayor Lapointe did not seek reelection after 22 years as Mayor of the western Québec town.
Founding Cities Initiative Chair and Former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley Recognized
The Urban Land Institute awarded former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley with its Lifetime Achievement award at a ceremony in Millennium Park on October 5, 2017 for his leadership in transforming the Chicago economy and developing major urban projects, creating new park space, building libraries, and adding public buildings, all in a sustainable manner. His actions to unify mayors across the world was noted, and the formation of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative was highlighted as one of his major achievements. We are grateful for his leadership on protecting and restoring the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence along with all the other mayors of the Cities Initiative.
Phosphorus Reduction Collaborative Moves Into Phase Two
The Thames River Phosphorus Reduction Collaborative (PRC) has wrapped up its initial round of research and is about to begin on-the-ground demonstration projects, pending funding approval. The PRC, spearheaded by the Cities Initiative and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, represents agricultural organizations, m
unicipalities, conservation authorities, First Nations and environmental non-governmental organizations to develop a suite of effective land management and drainage solutions for agriculture, in cooperation with partners, for reducing phosphorus and improving water quality in the Thames River. To read the latest, visit
https://www.thamesriverprc.com/
.
Cities Initiative Attends Healing Our Waters Conference
Great Lakes stakeholders convened in Buffalo, NY on 10/17-10/19 for the Healing Our Waters conference, the annual event for the Healing Our Waters coalition (HOW). The HOW coalition consists of 145 environmental, conservation, outdoor recreation organizations, zoos, aquariums, and museums who share the common goal to protect and restore the Great Lakes. Cities Initiative President/CEO John Dickert, and Program Assistant, Andrea Paine, attended the event on behalf of the organization. The conference focused on the need to continue federal funding for the Great Lakes, particularly for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and water infrastructure. To learn more, click here.
Blue Accounting Website Launched
The Great Lakes Commission, along with The Nature Conservancy, recently launched the
Blue Accounting website
.
Blue Accounting helps Great Lakes communities set shared goals and measure progress by transforming existing data into useful information. The newly launched website will provide reliable, timely, and easily understandable information to help Great Lakes leaders assess how their investments and actions are affecting the condition of our economy and natural resources in the Great Lakes region. To learn more about Blue Accounting, visit
https://www.blueaccounting.org/.
Oil Leak Found in Chicago River
US EPA continues to search for the cause of an oil leak discovered around October 26, 2017 in Bubbly Creek, a waterway just off the south branch of the Chicago River. A containment boom is being used to keep the oil contained and the US Coast Guard has closed off that area of the river. US Fish and Wildlife and US Department of Agriculture are also on the scene attending to marine and wild life. To learn more about the situation,
click here.
Cities Initiative Attends Governors and Premiers Event
John Dickert, President/CEO of the Cities Initiative, attended the Council of the Great Lakes Governors and Premiers (CGLGP) 2017 Leadership Summit in Windsor, Ontario October 20-22, 2017. The CGLGP is the coalition of Great Lakes governors and the premiers of Ontario and Quebec. To read a recap of the event, please visit
http://www.gsgp.org/media/2011/leadership-summit-press-release-10-20-17.pdf.
Enbridge Knew About Coating Damage
Enbridge, Inc. recently disclosed that the company was aware three years ago of the damage to the protective coating in at least one location on the Enbridge Line 5, aging twin pipelines under the Strait of Mackinac. To read more, please
click here.
Events and Webinars
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2017 State of Lake Michigan and Great Lakes Beach Association Conferences
The 2017 SOLM brings together
lake-specific research, policy development, management, education, and nonprofit organizations to broaden the discussion and provide diverse interaction among stakeholders. GLBA is a must for beach managers and other stakeholders with an interest in the health of Great Lakes beaches.
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November 4 - 7, 2017
Hyatt Regency Green Bay
Green Bay, WI
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Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act Financing (WIFIA) Webinar Series
Webinar series covering a few key topics related to WIFIA, in anticipation that another round of funding will be announced soon.
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December 6, 2017
, 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. (ET)
Overview of the WIFIA program
Register
December 13, 2017
, 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. (ET)
Benefits of Financing with WIFIA Loans
Register
December 20, 2017
, 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. (ET)
WIFIA Application Process: Tips for Submitting a Letter of Interest
Register
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Wetland Resilience for a Changing World
The
Wisconsin Wetlands Association is seeking proposals for oral presentations and posters for its 2018 Wetland Science Conference. The conference aims to examine the many sides of wetland resilience, including how managers can help promote wetland resilience now and in the future and how communities can include wetlands and watersheds in their planning for resilience.
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Wetland Resilience for a Changing World
2018 Wetland Science Conference
February 20-22, 2018
Oconomowoc, WI
To submit a presentation proposal, due November 15, 2017,
click here.
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Funding Opportunities
Great Lakes Guardians
Provincial grants of up to $25,000 for local projects to help protect and restore the Great Lakes.
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Application Deadline:
November 10th at 5 PM EST
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Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act Financing (WIFIA)
WIFIA is a new federal credit program administered by US EPA for eligible water and wastewater infrastructure projects. WIFIA can fund development and implementation activities for projects like: 1) Wastewater conveyance and treatment projects; 2) Drinking water treatment and distribution projects; 3) Enhanced energy efficiency projects at drinking water and wastewater facilities.
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Deadline: TBD
It is anticipated there will be another round of applications for WIFIA at the end of the year, assuming the federal appropriations are authorized by October.
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Membership
Please join the 131 Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative members in protecting and restoring the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River by clicking
here
for a membership application. If you are already a member, please encourage your neighboring communities to join, and be sure to renew your membership when you receive your notice.
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