Solar panels on plastic rafts are linked and anchored to the bottom of a lake. Michigan hasn’t issued any permits yet, but Ann Arbor, Pittsfield Township and Plainfield Charter Township have looked into the idea.
Great Lakes
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Eight Michigan beaches reopen after E. coli levels drop, six others closed
Health officials said eight Michigan beaches are safe for swimming again after water samples showed decreased E. coli levels. One beach reopened briefly then closed again and five others joined the closure list Friday.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Get ready for amorous mayflies, Michigan, and the smelly crunch of love
If they haven’t already, Michiganders, especially those near lakeside communities, may soon see swarms of mayflies, aka fish flies. While annoying, they’re harmless. The same can’t be said for another summer pest: mosquitoes.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Audit finds mix of successes, problems with Great Lakes restoration grants
The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has improved conditions in polluted lakes and rivers, but sometimes failed to deliver on environmental justice goals.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Drugs, microplastics, forever chemicals a growing concern in Great Lakes
Pharmaceuticals, microplastics, PFAS and ingredients found in personal care products are among the emerging — and sometimes unmonitored — contaminants in the Great Lakes region.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Swim at your own risk: High E. coli count closes nine Michigan beaches
Nine beaches in Michigan are closed and under contamination advisories after heavy rainfall washes in harmful bacteria.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Birds in Great Lakes, elsewhere in peril: ‘We need to pay attention’
Bird populations are declining at alarming rates due to disease, pollution and habitat loss. That should be a warning to all of us.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
In warming Great Lakes region, water, heat can be an unhealthy combination
From mosquitoes to sewer overflows, the heat and moisture of a changing climate are creating new health threats in the Great Lakes region, prompting a call to educate residents and doctors about the risks.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Robots at work cleaning trash from Michigan beaches
Detroit joins several communities across the state and nationwide that host BeBot, a robot that can pick up plastic and other trash buried a few inches deep in the sand.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | Line 5 is unnecessary and poses a catastrophic risk to Great Lakes
In addition to the multibillion-dollar costs of constructing a tunnel under the Great Lakes and rerouting the decaying pipeline around the Bad River Band, the Line 5 project presents enormous environmental risks.