PWIR: Mercury Rising
Tags: asian carp, clean energy, coal, Great Lakes, mercury, PWIR, sulfide mining
That beautiful lake in Northern Michigan you love so much? Don’t eat the fish. Elevated levels of mercury - generally a result of coal plant pollution - were reported this week for the Great Lakes and 150 of Michigan’s most remarkable inland lakes. On a more positive note, though, before the Legislature dashed out of Lansing for the holidays, they finally passed a bill to establish greater coordination fighting invasive species in the Great Lakes.
Also this week:
- Find out if the 150 mercury advisories for inland lakes and streams apply to any that you regularly visit.
- The legislature passed the aquatic invasive species advisory council bill. Watch out Asian Carp!
- Conservation groups are not ready to roll over for the poisonous sulfide mining operation near Eagle Rock. The fight continues in the courts with another appeal.
- Ford begins production of its Focus Electric. On top of the advanced battery jobs and lowered emissions made possible through electric vehicle production, the actual production of the cars in Wayne, MI is very welcome.
- Go out and walk on the remarkable, unmatched lands of Michigan that are all yours, thanks to your help in fighting back against legislation that would limit our ability to protect it.
150 Streams and Lakes, including Torch Lake, Walloon Lake, and Lake Charlevoix, under mercury advisory
If I do catch-and-release fishing, I want it to be because I enjoy the sport of it, not because I’m afraid if I don’t release it I’ll catch mercury poisoning. A new report from Environment Michigan highlights tragic mercury advisories for all Great Lakes and 150 inland lakes and streams, including Torch Lake, Lake Charlevoix, and Walloon Lake.
Great Lakes tourism in Michigan accounts for approximately 823,000 jobs and a $12.8 billion industry. In northern Michigan, a region particularly dependant on tourism, populations often triple during the summer months as vacationers head north. These tourists and other Michiganders heading up to their family cabins teach their children and grandchildren to fish and swim and water-ski on these lakes. Of course, eating fresh-caught smallmouth bass, brook trout, or bluegills is part of that tradition. That tradition gets pretty rough, however, if the fish are inedible.
Mercury is a neurotoxin linked to developmental, cardiovascular, and fertility problems. It’s bad news. As most Michiganders know by now, coal plants are the largest source of mercury in lakes, accounting for two-thirds of it in 2010. There is good news, though: The EPA recently adopted new mercury emissions standards for coal plants on Friday. Look for more details (and coverage from Michigan LCV) as we get more details of the final rule this week.
To get quick access to that kind of coverage on your favorite social media sites, please find us on Twitter, Facebook, or Google+. (Yep, we have a Google+ page now!)
Legislature passes Aquatic Invasive Species package
Mercury isn’t the only threat to Great Lakes fisheries: Invasive species like Asian carp could permanently alter the lakes as we know them. Instead of reeling in steelhead, you could smacked in your head by a leaping Asian Carp if we don’t take immediate action.
To address that threat, the Michigan legislature passed a package of three bills. They create an Aquatic Invasive Species Advisory Panel to study ways, and to suggest legislation, to limit the spread of aquatic invasive species.
Invasive species can dramatically alter the ecology of a lake. We often talk about the dangers of the Asian Carp, but don’t always remind people why they are such ugly monsters. They starve out competing native fish species by consuming vast quantities of plankton, like wedding crashers who eat all the cake, leaving none for the invited guests. (The invited guests in this particular metaphor die from lack of wedding cake, just to be clear).
The Asian Carp can enter the Great Lakes through the Chicago River, which artificially connects the Mississippi River to Lake Michigan. If they reach the Great Lakes say goodbye to the traditional lakes we know and love as well as the $7 billion-per-year fishery industry they support.
Appeal Filed in Sulfide Mining Case
I’m going to make this a very brief section. Just look at this photo. It is a picture of the impacts of a sulfide mine in Ontario. Fortunately, conservation groups are appealing a ruling that will allow similar sulfide mining to continue forward on land held sacred by the Keweenaw Native American tribe in the UP.
Technically, this photo alone isn’t grounds for appeal, but if this doesn’t make you want to bang on a table and yell, “I object” then either the photo isn’t loading or you work for Rio Tinto.
Ford begins production of Focus Electric
Ford is beginning production of its Ford Focus Electric, which may surpass the Nissan Leaf and Chevy Volt in efficiency. Perhaps more importantly for the folks who would like an electric vehicle but aren’t ready to trade in their existing car yet, the Focus Electric is being built in the Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne Michigan. And it is "Built by Michigan."
What’s that Ford slogon, again? Ah, yes: Drive one.
Legislation You Can Touch
The DNR just announced that it added over 500 acres to the Pigeon River County State Forest, including access near the headwaters of the Black River, one of three blue-ribbon trout streams running through it. The land was purchased with money from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF), and is an example of future recreation acquisitions that would be in jeopardy if the Land Cap Bill passes, or if the MNRTF is gutted to build private industry roads through public land.
It's your land, Michigan taxpayer. Go enjoy it.
Until next week,
Political Director, Michigan LCV
Twitter: @rjwerder
This Political Week In Review was researched and written with assistance from our Project Associate, DrewYoungeDyke.
