U.S. Senate Approves Great Lakes Protections

National Wildlife Federation

The National Wildlife Federation today applauded the U.S. Senate for approving the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact, an eight-state water management agreement to protect the nation's largest fresh surface water resource from depletion.

The Compact must now pass the U.S. House of Representatives before heading to President Bush’s desk for his signature. The President has said recently that he will sign the agreement.

“We hope today’s action in the U.S. Senate inspires the U.S. House to pass these protections without delay so that we can safeguard a national resource that millions of people, businesses, farmers and communities depend on in their daily lives,” said Andy Buchsbaum, regional executive director of the National Wildlife Federation’s Great Lakes office. “It’s time to seal the deal and protect our lakes, our drinking water, our economy and our way of life.”

The U.S. Senate passed the Compact by unanimous consent, following the passage of the Compact in all eight Great Lakes states – Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. more

Tall ships arrive in Duluth to the delight of thousands

Duluth News Tribune

With cannons’ roar, a trio of tall ships, their white sails billowing in the wind, glided into Duluth Harbor Thursday afternoon to the delight of the thousands of people who gathered to watch.

The ships, including replicas of 1812 war ships, passed through the Aerial Lift Bridge beginning about 4 p.m., followed by an armada of smaller boats that later milled around as the big ships docked along Harbor Drive.

It was the first time in decades that many tall ships had sailed into the harbor at one time, harkening back to the mid- to late-1800s when sailing vessels moved cargo on the Great Lakes. The ships are here for this weekend’s Duluth Maritime Festival and will be open for public tours today through Sunday.

With both cameras and children in-hand, on-lookers crowded the Lakewalk and lined the two piers and Harbor Drive. First to arrive was the Madeline, a replica of an 1840s cargo schooner. At 92 feet in length and masts rising 71 feet, it’s the smallest of the three. Second in the harbor was the Pride of Baltimore II, a clipper-style topsail schooner that’s 157 feet long and with a 107-foot tall mast. more

Boat Town Parade of Lights canceled

Macomb Daily

Boat Town USA's annual Parade of Lights -- one of the summer's most popular attraction for the boating community -- has been cancelled for this weekend but may be resurrected in 2009 with an experienced promotions firm at the helm.

Boat Town officers met earlier this week with the Anchor Bay Yachting Association and other parties and decided to abandon efforts to have a parade of decorated and illuminated lights due to a lack of participants.

"It's very disappointing," said Boat Town spokesman Steve Joiner. "We know it's an event that everyone looks forward to whether or not you have a boat."

Boat Town officials said a decline in the number of sponsors and sailors looking to take part in the event likely can be tied to a lack of proper promotion along with the dismal economy. more

State program to aid Burger Boat improvements

Associated Press

A state-funded program is providing $2.3 million toward improvement of the Burger Boat Co. dock facility in Manitowoc.

Gov. Jim Doyle announced Thursday that the money will come from the state's Harbor Assistance Program that helps communities maintain and improve facilities for waterborne commerce.

The company, which builds luxury yachts, is to provide a 20 percent match, or about $576,000. The project includes dock rehabilitation, dredging and paving the boatyard.

Doyle said the award will help boost economic growth in the area.

Wish Good Luck to Team USA Sailors!

Now you can send your best wishes to anyone on the United States Olympic Sailing Team through GoodLuckTeamUSA@ussailing.org. Whether you’d like to mail one sailor or the whole team, just send an email to this address. This new forum is a chance to express your support directly to our sailors in Qingdao, so spread the word and wish the sailors good luck!

To send messages to the whole team or anyone within the team, please mail GoodLuckTeamUSA@ussailing.org.

Team Roster:
49er – Tim Wadlow (Beverly, Mass.) and Chris Rast (San Diego, Calif.)
Men’s 470 – Stu McNay (Lincoln, Mass.) and Graham Biehl (San Diego, Calif.)
Women’s 470 – Amanda Clark (Shelter Island, Mass.) and Sarah Mergenthaler (New York, N.Y.)
Finn – Zach Railey (Clearwater, Fla.)
Laser – Andrew Campbell (San Diego, Calif.)
Laser Radial – Anna Tunnicliffe (Plantation, Fla.)
Men’s RS:X – Ben Barger (St. Petersburg, Fla.)
Women’s RS:X – Nancy Rios (Miami, Fla.)
Star – John Dane III (Gulfport, Miss.) and Austin Sperry (Gulfport, Miss.)
Tornado- John Lovell (New Orleans, La.) and Charlie Ogletree (Kemah, Tx.)
Yngling – Sally Barkow (Nashotah, Wis.) Carrie Howe (Grosse Pointe, Mich.) and Debbie Capozzi (Bayport, N.Y.)