Park protesters arrested in Benton Harbor

The Detroit Free Press

Three protesters who stood in front of bulldozers at the controversial Harbor Shores project in Benton Harbor were arrested Monday on trespassing and other charges.

Nicole Moon, who lives in Benton Harbor, said she and two others were arrested by city police after they stood in front of construction equipment that was tearing out cottonwood trees at Jean Klock Park in connection with the Harbor Shores project. The project has been the subject of several lawsuits, including one that is still pending.

Harbor Shores is a 500-acre, $500-million project in Benton Harbor and neighboring St. Joseph to build luxury housing, a hotel, a water park and shops, with a golf course overlooking Lake Michigan.

The city agreed last year to lease 22 acres of Jean Klock Park to Harbor Shores for three holes of the golf course, in exchange for other land and $30,000 per year. The rest of the park will remain a public beach. more

Leland loves iconic fishing boat

Traverse City Record-Eagle

Using a two-handed grip and spread-leg stance, Janice Sue Kiessel slammed a bottle of Mawby Wet sparkling wine into the fishing tug that bears her name, and recreated the same christening scene she performed as a 3-year-old 50 years ago.

This time it was part of the 50th birthday celebration held for Fishtown's iconic 40-foot fishing tug Janice Sue.

Hundreds lined the historic Fishtown docks last month to pay homage to the sturdy, steel-hulled vessel that enabled Leland's commercial fishermen to haul more than two million pounds of fish from Lake Michigan.

"This was a great celebration," said Amanda Holmes, administrative director of the Fishtown Preservation Society that organized the events. "It brought together summer people, the fishing families and local residents all across the board."

The day-long celebration began with a rubber duck race that started at the dam and continued for 200 feet down the Leland River. The Old Art Building housed an impressive collection of dozens of paintings and drawings of the Janice Sue.

"People from the area, and even Chicago, lent us their paintings and drawings of the Janice Sue," said Holmes. "There were sketches of her, oils, pastels, even a cartoon by Keith Burnham." more

Costs slow boat season

Port Huron Times Herald

Jim Frazer travels throughout the Great Lakes basin, fishing for just about anything that swims.

His take on recreational boating this summer?

"It would be quite a bit less," said Frazer, who lives in Port Huron Township. "This fuel thing has really got people shying away from the water, that's for sure.

"What people are doing? They are taking shorter trips and using smaller boats. The big boats just haven't been running as much.

"I fished usually once a week," he said. "Even myself, the avid fisherman I am, I had to cut back. I took fewer big trips than I usually do."

Fuel prices -- ranging from $4.26 to $4.29 per gallon for gasoline at several public marinas this week -- and the economy in general are being blamed for fewer boats in some places and for changes in how boaters operate.

Dr. Clare Scheurer of Port Huron, said he hasn't seen a decline in boat traffic -- but he has noticed a change in boater behavior.

"They don't ride around as much because of the price of gas," said Scheurer, who lives on Lake Huron near Lakeside Park in Port Huron. "They don't go roaring back and forth and use a lot of gas. They get to their destination, drop their hook and stay there." more

CONGRESS APPROVES GREAT LAKES COMPACT

The Great Lakes Governors today applauded members of Congress for boldly acting to protect the Great Lakes--St. Lawrence River Basin. Specifically, members of the U.S. House of Representatives led by Congressmen John Conyers, Jr. (D-Michigan), James L. Oberstar (D-Minnesota), Vernon J. Ehlers (R-Michigan) and Steven C. LaTourette (R-Ohio) passed a joint resolution providing consent to the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact.

Today’s House action follows similar action by the U.S. Senate on August 1 led by Senators Carl Levin (D-Michigan) and George V. Voinovich (R-Ohio). The resolution now goes to President George W. Bush who has committed to sign it. These actions complete a historic process to protect the Great Lakes.

In December 2005, following a nearly five-year negotiation, the Governors of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin reached agreement on the Compact. The Compact provides a comprehensive management framework for achieving sustainable water use and resource protection. The eight Great Lakes States reached a similar, good faith, agreement with Ontario and Québec in 2005, which the Provinces are using to amend their existing water programs for greater regional consistency.

During 2007 and 2008, each of the eight Great Lakes State legislatures ratified the Compact. Today’s Congressional action completes the legislative approval process.

Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle, Council of Great Lakes Governors Chair, said, “I applaud the members of Congress for their leadership in protecting the Great Lakes. Today’s action reflects a successful partnership—one that we hope to build on in order to take even bolder steps to protect our Great Lakes. We look forward to continuing to work with Congress and other partners toward this shared goal.”

Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm said, “By approving the Great Lakes Compact today, Congress has acted in a historic manner to ensure that the Great Lakes are protected for future generations. I thank Congress for its quick action on this important matter and look forward to the President's signature.”

“Passage of the Great Lakes Compact is central to ensuring that harmful water diversions are controlled and this precious ecosystem is protected for future generations,” said New York Governor David Paterson. “The Great Lakes, constituting nearly twenty percent of the world's available fresh water and ninety percent of the United States’ supply of fresh surface water, need to be protected and cherished. I applaud the Members of Congress who supported the Great Lakes Compact and the Great Lakes states’ desire to conserve our resources.”

“Congress did the right thing today in approving this landmark agreement,” Ohio Governor Ted Strickland said. “I am particularly thankful to the members of Ohio's Congressional delegation, whose leadership was critical to today's victory. Lake Erie and the other Great Lakes are national jewels and this Compact will help ensure they will be valued and protected for generations to come.”

The Compact includes the following points:

· Economic development will be fostered through sustainable use and responsible management of Basin waters.

· In general, there will be a ban on new diversions of water from the Basin but limited exceptions could be allowed in communities near the Basin when rigorous standards are met.

· Communities that apply for an exception will have a clear, predictable decision making process; standards to be met; and, opportunities to appeal decisions. These processes and standards do not exist under current law.

· The States will use a consistent standard to review proposed uses of Basin water. The States will have flexibility regarding their water management programs and how to apply this standard.

· Regional goals and objectives for water conservation and efficiency will be developed, and they will be reviewed every five years. Each State will develop and implement a water conservation and efficiency program that may be voluntary or mandatory.

· There is a strong commitment to continued public involvement in the implementation of the Compact.

A broad, bi-partisan consensus has been built in support of the Compact. The Compact was developed in collaboration with regional partners who have also played a key role in its implementation. Members of Congress, Mayors, local government officials and stakeholders have all been instrumental.

The Great Lakes are a national treasure—important to our nation and the world as both an environmental and economic asset. Our national economy depends on the Great Lakes for industrial uses, hydropower, maritime commerce, agricultural irrigation and many other uses. The Great Lakes are also a globally unique and important environmental resource. The Compact will ensure that the Lakes are used sustainably in order to continue to provide benefits to us all.