Above-average temps are becoming the norm in October. Climate change means warmer waters that threaten salmon and trout, a possible rise in tick-borne illnesses and delays in bird migration.
Great Lakes
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
As Michigan lawmakers ponder septic repair funds, Ohio offers a model
Unlike Michigan, the buckeye state regulates septic systems and provides money to fix the ones leaking sewage into waterways. Could such a program in Michigan address the pollution that fouls our lakes and streams?
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan schools would decide on opening before Labor Day under House bill
The debate pits education advocates who want independent control of their school-year calendars against tourism leaders who want to ensure families can book vacations through Labor Day.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan parks are popular, but underfunded. They want some COVID money.
As Michigan state parks experience a visitor resurgence and the federal government funnels gobs of pandemic relief dollars to the state, parks officials want lawmakers to send some of the windfall their way — lawmakers say they’re listening.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michiganders to face tickets next spring for swimming in dangerous waves
A new policy giving state beach managers power to ticket people who enter the water despite warnings during rough waves, bacteria outbreaks or other dangerous conditions. It is set to take effect in May.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Lake Superior summer: Blue-green algae comes to a lake once believed immune
Once thought too cold for cyanobacteria to grow, Lake Superior in recent years has joined the other Great Lakes as a breeding ground for potentially-toxic algae as a changing climate warms its waters.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan’s soggy summer evidence of a global climate reckoning
The massive storms that ripped through southeast Michigan this summer are likely the state’s new normal, but our aging infrastructure was designed for the climate of the past.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Should Michigan, other states let nature clean up oil spills?
Natural populations of oil-degrading bacteria could help to clean up freshwater rivers and lakes after spills from pipelines and trains, but it’s not clear whether using bacteria could pose problems for the surrounding environment.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
After federal rule change, Michigan resumes killing cormorants to save fish
The state has permission to kill up to 9,650 birds and destroy up to 1,400 nests, a move state wildlife managers hope will reduce pressure on fish populations valued by anglers. Opponents say the birds are scapegoated for a fish collapse they didn’t cause.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Great Lakes surfers to Michigan: Don’t close beaches during rough waves
The state is considering closing beaches and issuing fines, noting that some swimmers are ignoring danger conditions. But surfers and other sports enthusiasts live for rough waves, and want the state to more narrowly tailor any order.