Great Lakes Endangered Species Doing Well, Including a Record-Breaking Snake

Radiograph showing eggs in line and implanted radio transmitter. – Photo Credit: Kile Kucher

As heard Friday, May 25, 2012, on Q-90.1 FM, Delta College, Friday Edition, Environment Report …

Plovers a Plenty

There’s some good news when it comes to endangered species in the Great Lakes region.

According to new analysis from the Center for Biological Diversity, 90 percent of endangered species are on track to meet recovery goals set by federal scientists.

A total of 110 species were part of the research, and those in recovery include the piping plover, Kirtland’s warbler, Lake Erie water snake, and gray wolves.

The center, a nonprofit headquartered in Arizona, looked at population trends of plants and animals protected by the Endangered Species Act.

The analysis found many species on a path toward recovery, and some that are exceeding expectations.

On average, species have been protected for 32 years and have a typical expected recovery period of 46 years, according to the report.

In the Great Lakes region, the piping plover is a shorebird that was listed as endangered in 1985. At the time, only 19 nesting pairs remained in Michigan.

Most recently, MIchigan has maintained 50 percent of its 100-pair breeding goal for four years in a row.

Like other species, the plover recovery was due to management programs and other measures undertaken as part of the Endangered Species Act.

Eggs a Plenty

In other animal news, an eastern fox snake at the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge in Saginaw County has broken a record.

Refuge manager Steven Kahl says a recent article published in a scientific journal describes a new documented record for an eastern fox snake egg clutch size.

A radiograph of one of the refuge’s female snakes showed she was carrying 34 eggs.

That’s beyond the previous known record of 29 eggs.

And the 34 eggs is more than twice the mean clutch size of about 14 eggs for an eastern fox snake.

This particular snake also was 5 feet 9 inches long, just an inch under the longest-measured eastern fox snake.

The Shiawassee Refuge is one of only three in the nation in which the fox snake is known to live.

Refuge officials are working with Central Michigan University researchers to conduct a study of the eastern fox snake.

The species is listed as threatened in Michigan. Its global range is confined to the coastal plains of Lakes Huron, Erie and Ontario.

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The Greatest of the Great Lakes (vote) & Raising Renewable Standards

As heard Friday, Feb. 3, 2012, on Q-90.1 FM, Delta College’s NPR Station …

Right now, Michigan’s electric utilities are working to increase the amount of energy they generate from renewable sources like wind and solar. The work is part of a state law that requires utilities to get 10 percent of their energy from cleaner sources by 2015.

That means burning less coal. But utilities could do even better, according to the Michigan Energy, Michigan Jobs coalition. The coalition is working to more than double the state’s renewable energy standard from the current 10 percent by 2015 to 25 percent by 2025.

The Michigan Energy, Michigan Jobs coalition includes business, labor and health care groups. They are trying to raise more than $1 million to collect signatures to put the 25 by 2025 question on the Nov. 6 general election ballot.

According to the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association, the group has until July 9 to file a petition with the state that contains more than 322,000 valid signatures. Proposed ballot language has already been filed.

The proposal would require at least 25 percent of Michigan’s energy to come from renewable sources including wind, solar, biomass and hydropower, by 2025.

The proposal also would limit rate increases to comply with the standard to 1 percent per year.

See also: Renewable energy standards: Seeing beyond percentages

What About Lake Huron?

 

Which of the Great Lakes is the greatest?

 

Great Lakes Echo, a Michigan State University publication, is taking votes on the single best thing to do on each of the Great Lakes.

 

So far, here are some of the ideas.Lake Michigan is the best for surfing, because it has the most consistent waves.

 

Lake Erie is the best for fishing, with the most productive fishery, according to some scientists.

Lake Huron is the best for canoeing, with the most coastline of the five lakes, totaling more than 3,800 miles.

What about the best beach? That’s Lake Michigan, according to the Echo. Lake Michigan is home to Sleeping Bear Dunes, which was named most beautiful place in the United States last year by Good Morning America. It beat out places in Hawaii and California.

Lake Huron also could be considered the best place for kayaking. It’s home to Turnip Rock, a large rock island less than 100 feet off the shores of Port Austin, at the tip of the Thumb.

 

Most scenic? What about Lake Ontario, with Niagara Falls at the west end and 1,000 islands to the east?

 

You can read more and leave comments at greatlakesecho.org.

 

- Photo comp. via Spell with flickr

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Mystery Genes in Great Lakes Beach Sand & Fixing Fishing Guides

As heard at 9 a.m. Eastern, Fridays on Q-90.1 FM, Delta College …

Speak Up on DNR Fishing and Hunting Guides

Photo by Anthony D'Onofrio

The state Department of Natural Resources is working on improved fishing guides and hunting digests for 2013.

But first, they’re asking for public input in an effort to make the guides more useful.

So if you’ve ever struggled to understand or make sense of a fishing or hunting guide from the DNR, here’s your chance to speak up.

Feedback is being gathered over the next several months from focus groups and surveys, according to Michigan United Conservation Clubs.

The surveys must be completed by Feb. 3.

The results will help identify discussion topics for focus groups to be held in late February and March.

For more information, see the Hunting and Trapping Digest survey, and the Fishing Guide survey.
…

This E. Coli Attaches to Your Intestines

Central Michigan University researchers have found mysterious genes in the sands of Great Lakes beaches.

The genes are from disease-causing E. coli bacteria, which can make people sick and lead to beach closings.

E. coli is a common indicator bacteria used by health departments to test beach waters.

But here’s something more uncommon: The E. coli pathogens found at seven beaches contained genes that can attach to a person’s intestinal wall and secrete toxins.

Those were found in sand at public beaches along Lake St. Clair, and Lake Huron. Researchers speculate that the bacteria could be using these “attachment genes” to survive in the sand.

The scientists say more study is needed to assess the health implications of these findings.

You can reach more in the Journal of Great Lakes Research.

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Happy Fish, Environmental Citizenship & the Michigan Envirothon

The Michigan Environment Report, as heard @ 9 a.m. Eastern on Fridays @ Q-90.1 FM …

Photo by Jon Evans

Fish Passage

Fish are moving again in a Northeast Michigan trout stream.

Ten road-stream crossings over Silver Creek, a stream that flows into a tributary of Lake Huron, were recently improved by the Huron Pines conservation group.

The new culverts allow fish and other aquatic critters to move throughout the creek.

The old crossings either blocked the natural movement of fish or contributed to sediment runoff, and covered prime fish spawning areas.

The Healing Our Waters – Great Lakes Coalition calls the Silver Creek Project a success story.

The $600,000 project was also involved state, federal and private agencies. Huron Pines is headquartered in Grayling.

Patience is a Virtue

Are you a good environmental citizen?

If you’re patient, persistent and confident, the answer is yes.

Michigan State University researchers have been studying the character traits of good problem solves and deliberators.

They say that when people are talking about tough issues, like climate change and sustainability, certain virtues help discussions go more smoothly.

To be a good environmental citizen, then, you should possess virtues that make people feel included and engaged, while producing results.

That includes 14 traits, such as friendliness, empathy, courage, temperance, sincerity, humility, self-confidence, and patience.

The problem, say the researchers, is that educational system isn’t preparing people to deal with environmental issues that are sure to be increasingly discussed in years to come.

Teams Needed

The Envirothon is on.

The 2012 Canon Envirothon competition is looking for participants from Great Lakes states.

According to Great Lakes Echo, teams will compete in outdoor challenges that test their understanding of soils, land use, aquatic ecology, forestry, wildlife and current environmental issues.

Students also can conduct volunteer projects and give presentations about their experiences.

The Michigan Envirothon program is planning regional competitions during March throughout the state, including one in Grayling and another in Lapeer.

A state competition is planned for May at Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie.
The national competition is held in Pennsylvania in July.

For more information, see the Michigan Association of Conservation Districts website at macd.org

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Mich Enviro Report: Ban on Hunting and Snowmobiling in Huron-Manistee & Avian Botulism

As heard Friday, Oct. 28, 2011, on Q-90.1 FM, Delta College, NPR:

1.

Comments are being taken until Dec. 21 on snowmobile and firearm use in the Huron-Manistee National Forests.

…

A proposal to ban gun hunting and snowmobiling within certain areas of the forests was prompted by a federal court decision.

The U.S. Forest Service has now developed alternatives related to snowmobile and firearm use in areas of the national forests.

Michigan United Conservation Clubs is encouraging people to attend several public meetings planned to explain the process and submit written comments.

The alternatives include no action, no snowmobiling or firearm hunting in the forest areas, and allowing firearm hunting and snowmobiling use to continue as is.

Meetings are planned for Birch Run, Oscoda, Mio and other locations.

2.

The Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy is looking for help from citizen scientists.

The Bay City-based conservancy says people can help improve the Great Lakes ecosystem by reporting sightings of injured or dead birds, and algal blooms, to the federal Wildlife Health Monitoring Network.

The reports can help with research on avian botulism and protecting birds from the disease.

The reporting system was funded by a grant through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

Injured or dead wildlife, and evidence of algal blooms, can be an indication that an area is being affected by a Botulism outbreak, which can kill waterfowl.

In recent decades, incidences of botulism in the Great Lakes have increased steadily, according to federal sources. Thousands of birds died from 1998-2001 in Lakes Huron and Erie.

— Photo by Paul Williams

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Mich Enviro Report: Saginaw Bay Muck & a Spray Park Supplied with Treated Water

As heard on Delta College Q-90.1 FM on Friday, Aug. 19, 2011 …

1.

Saginaw Bay is being called a “hot spot.” Unfortunately, the title refers to shoreline muck, or dead algae.

The Detroit News recently featured the Bay City state park, highlighting the smelly muck that gathers at the shoreline of a mile-long public beach there. Algal blooms related to the muck also have made tap water taste bad, or worse, in the Bay City area this summer.

Residents have been complaining about the muck for years. Experts say it’s partly to blame on invasive zebra and quagga mussels that have filtered and cleared the water in the bay and other parts of the Great Lakes.

That has allowed more sunlight to penetrate the water and spur algal growth. The mussels also feed on phosphorus in the water and secrete it in a more concentrated form.

The bay is picking up excess phosphorus applied to lawns and other land in 22 counties that drain to the Saginaw Bay watershed. Bay County has had a ban on most residential phosphorus applications since 2009. A statewide ban goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2012. Experts say that may help control algal growth in the bay in coming years.

2.

In the meantime, people who don’t enjoy the mucky beach at the Bay City State Recreation Area will be able to cool off in a spray park.

The park is due to open today (Friday, Aug. 18) next to a playscape at the state park. The playscape is located near an old public beach at the park, which is no longer accessible due to lower water levels, phragmites and other factors.

The spray park is due to expand next year. It’s the first spray park to be built in a Michigan state park. The park was constructed with more than $300,000 in donations raised by a Friends group, and other funds from state park vehicle entry permits.

And if you have any wonders about the water quality of Saginaw Bay, consider this: The spray park will be supplied with bay water that’s been treated and piped to the location.

— Photo Credit: NOAA

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Mich Enviro Report: Coal in your Life, Heat Wave Tips & Lake Management Plans

As heard on Delta College Q-90.1 FM, July 22, 2011:

1.

How much coal is in your life? 

If you live in Bay County, you may be at a greater risk for respiratory illness or mercury exposure due to emissions from coal-fired power plants.

The information comes from the Sierra Club, which has designed a tool to localize the impact of coal in people’s lives.

Most electricity in the Saginaw Bay area, and nationwide, is generated by coal-fired power plants.

The tool uses information on your ZIP code and fish consumption habits, along with data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The tool gives each user a 1 out of 10 score. The higher the score, the higher the potential threat to your health from coal pollution.

For more information, see coalinyourlife.org.

2.

You’ve probably noticed that it’s been hot outside.

Here are a number of ways to cut your air conditioning and electric bill, or cool off your house if you don’t have air conditioning. The tips come from Earth 911, an environmental services company.

No. 1: Use two fans, one to pull outside air into your home, and another at an opposite window to blow interior air outside.

Other tips: Cook outside on the grill to keep the heat from a stove or oven outside of your house.

You also can pull the shades, and consider getting insulated blinds that can help keep out the summer heat.

According to Energy Star, up to half of the energy used in a home goes to heating and cooling.

3.

Lakewide Management Plan reports have been released for the five Great Lakes.

The annual reports highlight accomplishments in restoring and protecting the lakes, and current management challenges that U.S. and Canadian agencies say they are trying to address.

According to the report for Lake Huron, the lake’s biodiversity is in “fair” condition.

Critical threats include non-native species; incompatible housing development and shoreline alteration; climate change; dams;
and pollution from non-point sources due to agriculture,
forestry and urban land uses.

Another concern: A Type E botulism outbreak in Southern Georgian Bay.

The latest occurred in the fall of 2010, and killed lake sturgeon, gulls and loons.

—

Photo by Señor Codo

Preserving Great Lakes Beach Sand

Memorial Day is the traditional start of beach season, although the water is bound to give you the chills this early in the summer/late in the spring. A recent trip up the coast of Lake Huron had me talking with a guy who runs one of the many resorts in the Oscoda area of Northeast Michigan. But what’s with those orange gates?

Is this beach under construction?

No, the resort owner explained. The gates are to keep the beaches from losing their sand. Without the gates, much of the sand here will get washed away during the inevitable storms on Michigan’s Sunrise Side.

There used to be lots more sand on this particular beach, before the owner started putting up gates. He bought the resort after retiring from an auto-related business, and found out about the “need” for gates the hard way.

An internet search for info on “preserving beach sand” and “Great Lakes gates” didn’t yield any results for me. But the technique seems to be in wide use, judging from all the other gates up and down the coastline. They’ll probably be dismantled, like this one, in time for beach season.

More on Beaches

Michigan Sea Grant

Great Lakes Information Network

Mich Enviro Report: Saginaw Kids Hunt for Shipwreck & Two on Lake Michigan

As heard on Friday Edition, May 20, 2011, Delta College Q-90.1 FM:

1.

Students from the Saginaw area are hunting for a shipwreck near Alpena. 

The students are part of Project Shiphunt, which is taking place in the waters of the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary in Lake Huron.

Earlier this week, the students embarked on a research vessel. Their mission is to discover a sunken ship in the lake, and learn about science and math.

There are five students aboard, all from Arthur Hill High School in Saginaw.

The students will locate a shipwreck in the national sanctuary, investigate its identity, then document it in 3D.

They’ll be working with scientists and historians on the project, which is co-sponsored by Sony and Intel.

The scientists and historians are from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The students will work directly with a NOAA nautical archaeologist and researchers from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute.

A reception to kick off the project was held at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center in Alpena, which is the visitor center for the underwater sanctuary.

2.

A few years ago, the company known as BP proposed to increase its pollution discharges to Lake Michigan as part of an expansion of its Whiting, Ind., refinery.

The plan was delayed, but research that grew out of a public outcry over the proposal may have some benefits for reducing industrial pollution to the Great Lakes, according to the Alliance for the Great Lakes.

Researchers at Purdue University and Argonne National Laboratory have released the results of an investigation of several proposed treatment options for removing heavy metals from wastewater.

The research was funded by a $5 million grant from BP. It determined that methods involving reactive filtration, ultra-filtration and adsorption are the most promising.

Purdue University and Argonne National Laboratory researchers plan to test ultra-filtration at BP’s Whiting refinery to determine if their results can be replicated on a larger scale.

The startup of BP’s expansion has been delayed until 2013.

3.

A Great Lakes restoration project in Muskegon is expected to generate a six-to-one return on investment.

The project is on Muskegon Lake, located in West Michigan on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan.

The federal government is spending $10 million to remove 180,000 tons of unnatural fill from the lake bottom and rehabilitate about a mile of shoreline.

That work is expected to generate more than $66 million in economic benefits over ten years
and attract nearly 65,000 new visitors. This is according to an analysis released by the Great Lakes Commission, a government agency.

Commission officials say the project will create habitat for fish and wildlife resources and improve recreational opportunities for local residents and tourists.

The study, conducted by Grand Valley State University, also includes economic gains from increased property values.

Muskegon Lake was designated as Area of Concern in 1987 under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement due to historic filling of open water and wetlands, along with pollution discharges that contaminated the lake bottom.

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Photo Credit: NOAA

Mich Enviro Report: Great Lakes grant $, Levin back on task & Don’t flush your drugs

From the Friday, April 8, Environment Report on Q-90.1 FM, Delta College …

1.

New funding is available for Great Lakes restoration.

Photo by Minimalist Photography / Steve Johnson

Getting a shot at it is a task for many area environmental and conservation organizations.

That’s why the Healing Our Waters – Great Lakes Coalition is making funding available to help local groups in the region obtain and use funds from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

The HOW grants program will be providing $115,000 to help jump-start projects.

The HOW program has identified five focus areas in the Great Lakes.

Those areas include spots in Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Erie, Lake Ontario and Lake Huron’s Saginaw Bay.

HOW is making the grant preparation funding available with help from a group called Freshwater Future.

A Saginaw Bay Priority Area Meeting is planned for Friday, April 15 from 9 to noon at the Sage Branch Library in Bay City.

For more information, see  freshwaterfuture.org. (or this pdf meeting announcement)

2.

A federal Great Lakes task force will continue to be led by a Michigan senator.

U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, a Democrat, will serve as co-chair of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force for the 112th Congress. The other co-chair is Republican Mark Kirk of Illinois.

According to Levin, the task force has led the way to passage of legislation to clean up contaminated sediments, fight invasive species and prevent the diversion of precious fresh water from the Great Lakes basin.

Recently, co-chair Kirk has worked with Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin to crack down on raw sewage dumping into the lakes.

The Great Lakes Task Force is a group that works to enhance the economic and environmental health of the Great Lakes.

Members have worked to pass programs supporting the lakes, including the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

Levin has served as the Democratic co-chair of the task force since 1999.

3.

Don’t flush your old drugs, plan for National Take Back day.

This year’s National Take Back Initiative Drug Disposal Drive is planned for April 30th.

In Bay County, drives will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 30th.

People will be able to turn in old, expired and unneeded medications at …

• the Bay County Sheriff Department
• the Bay City Police Department
• the Michigan State Police Post on Euclid Avenue
• and Delta College Department of Public Safety.

The National Take Back Initiative is aimed at properly disposing of unwanted prescription and over the counter drugs, so they don’t contaminate the water supply, or end up in the hands of people who might abuse them.

Drop offs are anonymous and people who use the program will not be questioned, according to Bay County Executive Tom Hickner.

Last year, the collection day netted 54 pounds of medicine, which was transferred to an undisclosed location and incinerated.

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