Mayors's Voice on Asian Carp A number of Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative mayors signed onto a recent opinion piece, published in the Chicago Sun Times, regarding the need for the US federal government to take action on the threat of Asian carp to the Great Lakes. To read the piece, click here .

IJC Releases Second Report on PBDEs In its second report on the matter, entitled Addressing Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers in the Great Lakes Basin: Searching for Solutions to Key Challenges , the International Joint Commission (IJC) has recommended several actions to help seek safer alternatives to polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) and other flame retardants. PBDEs, a class of flame retardants dating back to the 1970’s, have been found in the Great Lakes at levels that can pose a risk to human health. To learn more, visit http://ijc.org/en_/wqb/news?news_id=636&myID=1 .

Great Lakes Oil Spill Protection Act US Representative Mike Bishop of Michigan recently introduced the Great Lakes Oil Spill Protection Act. The legislation calls on the Pipelines Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to issue annual reports on the status of oil pipelines. To learn more, click here .

Canada Invests $20 Million in Asian Carp Prevention The Government of Canada recently announced that it will invest up to $20 Million over 5 years, and ongoing, to Canada’s Asian Carp Program which focuses on prevention efforts through early warning surveillance, partnering, and outreach activities. To read more, click here .

Chicago Sues US Steel The City of Chicago has filed a city lawsuit against US Steel for violating the federal Clean Water Act. In addition to the City, the Surfrider Foundation has also sued US Steel. The lawsuits address two incidents where US Steel illegally discharged the pollutant hexavalent chromium into Lake Michigan. To read more, click here .

Toronto’s Cost of Flooding The City of Toronto estimates that the cost of flooding in 2017 has reached approximately $8.45 million. Toronto Island Park was shut down for 3 months and a number of the waterfront areas devastated as a result of flooding in 2017 due to high water levels in Lake Ontario. An additional $7.38 million will be needed for short term repairs and other mitigation. To read more about the situation, click here .

US EPA Reverses Decision on Impairment Designation After re-evaluating Ohio’s decision to keep Lake Erie off a list of impaired waters, the US EPA has now stated that the state did not compile the necessary data to say its portion of the lake was not impaired. OH EPA has until April 9, 2018 to perform a new evaluation of the state’s portion of Lake Erie.

Details on Foxconn’s First Environmental Permit Request and Water Withdrawal Foxconn, the flat-panel display screen manufacturer that is building a $10 Billion manufacturing center in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin, has submitted a request for an air emissions permit from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Between the three plants that are to be constructed on the site, Foxconn will produce enough air pollution to qualify as a ‘major source emitter’. The Wisconsin DNR has created a webpage on Foxconn and its related environmental reviews. To read more about the air emissions permit, click here . The City of Racine has also submitted a request to the Wisconsin DNR to divert approximately 7 million gallons of water per day from Lake Michigan for the Foxconn manufacturing center. It is anticipated that 4.3 million gallons of water would be returned to the lake while 2.7 million gallons of water would be lost, mostly due to evaporation form the plants’ cooling towers. This request does not trigger a review by all eight Great Lakes states and the two Provinces because the consumptive use is less than 5 million gallons and Mount Pleasant is a straddling community, partly within the Lake Michigan watershed. To read more about Foxconn’s water needs, click here .

GLOBE Series Launches Awards Climate Leaders The 2018 GLOBE Climate Leadership Awards recognize exceptional Canadian organizations that are at the forefront of climate change action. This is an exciting opportunity for Canadian businesses and municipalities to gain global recognition for their achievements in combating climate change and participating in the clean growth economy. Applications, along with a 30-45 second video on achievements, are due by February 13, 2018 at 6:00pm EST. More information on the awards and how to apply can be found at www.globeseries.com/forum/awards-en .

Webinar - Assessing and managing the risks posed by climate change to state and local governments Webinar to discuss the substantial risks and challenges posed by climate change to state and local economies, including credit and bond markets. February 13, 2018 1:00 – 2:00pm EST  Click here for more information and to register.

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.   February 20-22, 2018 Oconomowoc, WI To submit a presentation proposal, due November 15, 2017, click here . Click here to register.

Great Lakes Commission Semi-Annual Meeting and Great Lakes Days Events will feature dialogue on Great Lakes priorities by regional leaders and members of Congress who play a critical role in shaping Great Lakes policies. Our meetings offer an opportunity for Great Lakes stakeholders to convene with colleagues and share perspectives on important Great Lakes issues. March 6-8, 2018 Washington, DC Click here for more information and to register.

American Water Resources Association - Wisconsin Section 2018 Annual Meeting Working Together for Wisconsin's Water: Balancing Industry, the Environment and Public Health. March 8-9, 2018 Appleton, WI Click here for more information.

Great Lakes Protection Initiative and EcoAction Community Funding Program Environment and Climate Change Canada is seeking applications for funding for both the Great Lakes Protection Initiative and the EcoAction Community Funding Program. The GLPI addresses challenges affecting Great Lakes water quality and ecosystem health and EcoAction deals with projects related to water or climate change.  GLPI Deadline: March 15 Please note that applications for the Engaging Indigenous Peoples priority area are due March 30 . Click here for info & to apply. EcoAction Due: March 21 For more info on the EcoAction funding and to apply, click here .

NOAA Coastal Resilience Grants Funding for projects that strengthen our coastal communities and ecosystems, improving their resilience to extreme weather or other adverse events. Pre-Proposal Deadline: March 7, 2018 To learn more,  click here .

NOAA Great Lakes Habitat Restoration Grants Funding will be available for projects that create functional habitats for native fish species migration, reproduction, growth, and seasonal refuge; Restore sites outside of Areas of Concern; and ensure the long term protection of restored sites.  Deadline: March 12, 2018 Click here for more information.

Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act Financing 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 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.  To learn more about the program, click here.

Sustain Our Great Lakes Grant program to benefit fish, wildlife, habitat and water quality in the Great Lakes basin. The program will award grants in 2018 to improve and enhance: 1) stream and riparian habitat; 2) coastal wetland habitat; and 3) water quality in the Great Lakes and its tributaries. Pre-Proposals Due: February 13, 2018 For information, click here .

Michigan’s Volunteer River, Stream and Creek Cleanup Program Grants for Michigan local units of government to help clean Michigan waterways. Local units of government may partner with nonprofit organizations or other volunteer groups to carry out the work. A 25 percent minimum local match is required. Deadline: Feb. 20, 2018 For more information and the application, click here.

Coastal Water Trails Grant The Michigan Coastal Management Program is making grant money available for planning and implementing water trail projects along Michigan’s more than 3,000 miles of Great Lakes coastline. Deadline: March 5, 2018 For more information, click here .

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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