Observer - April 8
They have performed their jobs so well that some locals may have never known they existed, but two aging dams within the Conewango Creek Watershed are set to be funded for upgrades, Congressman Brian Higgins announced Tuesday.
The Site 6 dam in the town of Cherry Creek and the Site 3 dam in the town of Ellington are set to benefit from $2.4 million in federal Recovery Act funding through the USDA Watershed Rehabilitation program, part of $50 million federally granted nationwide.
"The significant federal investment in the Conewango Watershed will produce long-term stabilization along the dams that will protect local homeowners, farms and residents across Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties," Congressman Higgins said.
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Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Horsepower limit (used at ‘no wake’ speeds) upgraded for Burr Oak to increase fishing access
Morgan County Herald - April 8
To allow greater fishing access without altering the quiet recreational nature of Burr Oak Lake in Morgan County, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) has modified the lake's horsepower regulation.
With the change, boat motors greater than 10 horsepower are now allowed to operate on the lake, but only at "no wake" speeds. Previously, only motors less than 10 horsepower were permitted on Burr Oak Lake. The use of personal watercraft such as Wet Jets and Jet Skis continue to be prohibited.
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To allow greater fishing access without altering the quiet recreational nature of Burr Oak Lake in Morgan County, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) has modified the lake's horsepower regulation.
With the change, boat motors greater than 10 horsepower are now allowed to operate on the lake, but only at "no wake" speeds. Previously, only motors less than 10 horsepower were permitted on Burr Oak Lake. The use of personal watercraft such as Wet Jets and Jet Skis continue to be prohibited.
read more
Ocean panel urges federal action to protect coasts, marine resources
NYTimes - April 7
A blue-ribbon panel is urging Congress and the Obama administration today to toughen federal coastal protections in the face of rising climate threats and increased pressure from offshore energy producers.
The Joint Ocean Commission Initiative outlined a short-term agenda calling for a new White House-level ocean policy coordinator and the long-stalled ratification of the Law of the Sea treaty.
"Our continuing complacency in the face of rising threats to the health and economic viability of our oceans and coasts from climate change, pollution and intense coastal development is no longer tolerable," said retired Navy Adm. James Watkins, the co-chairman of the initiative. "Unless we commit to advancing our understanding, management and conservation of oceans and coasts, I am afraid the result will be enduring, and perhaps irreversible, changes that will jeopardize their contributions to this and future generations."
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A blue-ribbon panel is urging Congress and the Obama administration today to toughen federal coastal protections in the face of rising climate threats and increased pressure from offshore energy producers.
The Joint Ocean Commission Initiative outlined a short-term agenda calling for a new White House-level ocean policy coordinator and the long-stalled ratification of the Law of the Sea treaty.
"Our continuing complacency in the face of rising threats to the health and economic viability of our oceans and coasts from climate change, pollution and intense coastal development is no longer tolerable," said retired Navy Adm. James Watkins, the co-chairman of the initiative. "Unless we commit to advancing our understanding, management and conservation of oceans and coasts, I am afraid the result will be enduring, and perhaps irreversible, changes that will jeopardize their contributions to this and future generations."
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New Bill Would Restore Clean Water Act Protections
Alternet - April 8
Legislation introduced in the United States Senate April 2 would restore critical Clean Water Act protections lost through six years of confusing and contradictory court and government agency decisions.
The Clean Water Restoration Act was introduced by Sen. Russell Feingold, D-WI, and several co-sponsors.
Restoring the ability of the Clean Water Act to protect water resources must top Congress' water agenda. Supreme Court and agency decisions put at risk Clean Water Act protections for headwater, intermittent and ephemeral streams that supply drinking water systems that serve more than 110 million Americans. In total, 59 percent of the nation's waterways and millions of acres of wetlands are currently at risk.
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Legislation introduced in the United States Senate April 2 would restore critical Clean Water Act protections lost through six years of confusing and contradictory court and government agency decisions.
The Clean Water Restoration Act was introduced by Sen. Russell Feingold, D-WI, and several co-sponsors.
Restoring the ability of the Clean Water Act to protect water resources must top Congress' water agenda. Supreme Court and agency decisions put at risk Clean Water Act protections for headwater, intermittent and ephemeral streams that supply drinking water systems that serve more than 110 million Americans. In total, 59 percent of the nation's waterways and millions of acres of wetlands are currently at risk.
read more
Port of Call engineering study OK’d
Iosco News - April 8
The Port of Call effort to bring cruise ships to the East Tawas State Dock took another step toward reality Monday.
At its meeting Monday, the East Tawas City Council approved spending $27,736 for an engineering study. The funds will come from a Coastal Zone Management grant previously awarded to the city for the project.
Helen Pasakarnis, East Tawas Tax Increment Finance Authority director, told the city council six proposals were received for the engineering services for the study. The engineering study of the state dock was awarded to Rowe Professional Services Company of Flint and United Design Associates of Cheboygan. The two companies will jointly do the study in the three phases.
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The Port of Call effort to bring cruise ships to the East Tawas State Dock took another step toward reality Monday.
At its meeting Monday, the East Tawas City Council approved spending $27,736 for an engineering study. The funds will come from a Coastal Zone Management grant previously awarded to the city for the project.
Helen Pasakarnis, East Tawas Tax Increment Finance Authority director, told the city council six proposals were received for the engineering services for the study. The engineering study of the state dock was awarded to Rowe Professional Services Company of Flint and United Design Associates of Cheboygan. The two companies will jointly do the study in the three phases.
read more
Electric fish barrier to be activated in Ship Canal
ChicagoBreakingNews - April 7
An underwater electric barrier between the Illinois River and Great Lakes will be switched on Wednesday in hopes of preventing the spread of invasive species between the two basins -- in particular the advance of the voracious and dreaded Asian carp.
But until more safety testing can be done, the high-powered barrier will be turned on at only 1 volt per inch, the same level as a demonstration barrier that has existed in the Sanitary and Ship Canal since 2002. The voltage is just one quarter of the new barrier's potential power.
Still, even a fraction of that voltage has proven fatal to people when it enters the water as alternating current, according to marina safety studies conducted with grant money through the U.S. Coast Guard.
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An underwater electric barrier between the Illinois River and Great Lakes will be switched on Wednesday in hopes of preventing the spread of invasive species between the two basins -- in particular the advance of the voracious and dreaded Asian carp.
But until more safety testing can be done, the high-powered barrier will be turned on at only 1 volt per inch, the same level as a demonstration barrier that has existed in the Sanitary and Ship Canal since 2002. The voltage is just one quarter of the new barrier's potential power.
Still, even a fraction of that voltage has proven fatal to people when it enters the water as alternating current, according to marina safety studies conducted with grant money through the U.S. Coast Guard.
read more
Kimball shop expands its horizons into boats, marine supplies
Times Herald • April 8
In a community known for water, Brian Schneider is making sure boaters don't have to go far to get what they need.
Grace Performance is expanding into a 9,000-square-foot building to open a marine center. The Kimball Township business opened in 1997, selling items such as snowmobiles, motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles.
The marine center will be at 2239 Wadhams Road, next door to the existing store. It is the building where Grace Performance first opened.
The marine center, which has an April 18 grand opening, will sell everything from boats to fishing lures to life jackets. It will include a service center and a showroom.
read more
In a community known for water, Brian Schneider is making sure boaters don't have to go far to get what they need.
Grace Performance is expanding into a 9,000-square-foot building to open a marine center. The Kimball Township business opened in 1997, selling items such as snowmobiles, motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles.
The marine center will be at 2239 Wadhams Road, next door to the existing store. It is the building where Grace Performance first opened.
The marine center, which has an April 18 grand opening, will sell everything from boats to fishing lures to life jackets. It will include a service center and a showroom.
read more
Changes to water act worrying
The Times - April 8
A Horseshoe Lake woman will be travelling to Ottawa later this spring to discuss a recent amendment to the country’s Navigable Waters Protection Act with government officials.
Bonnie Fleischaker is the founder and chair of the Coalition for Equitable Water Flow and is concerned that the recent changes to the act put too much power in the hands of the federal government and diminish the importance of public input.
The amendment to the act was passed by the House of Commons along with the federal budget and approved by the Senate late last month. It’s a move that Fleischaker insists was deliberate and insidious by the government.
Perhaps the most controversial change is one pertaining to the approval process for infrastructure projects such as bridges or dams – projects on or near water. The changes allow the federal transportation minister to exempt certain types of water from the approval process completely and this, Fleischaker says, could mean trouble.
“It is of national concern,” Fleischaker said, adding that there are dozens of organizations throughout the country voicing their disapproval.
read more
A Horseshoe Lake woman will be travelling to Ottawa later this spring to discuss a recent amendment to the country’s Navigable Waters Protection Act with government officials.
Bonnie Fleischaker is the founder and chair of the Coalition for Equitable Water Flow and is concerned that the recent changes to the act put too much power in the hands of the federal government and diminish the importance of public input.
The amendment to the act was passed by the House of Commons along with the federal budget and approved by the Senate late last month. It’s a move that Fleischaker insists was deliberate and insidious by the government.
Perhaps the most controversial change is one pertaining to the approval process for infrastructure projects such as bridges or dams – projects on or near water. The changes allow the federal transportation minister to exempt certain types of water from the approval process completely and this, Fleischaker says, could mean trouble.
“It is of national concern,” Fleischaker said, adding that there are dozens of organizations throughout the country voicing their disapproval.
read more
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