Great Lakes Commission News Briefs
A summary of issues, activities and events
at the Great Lakes Commission 		Dec. 20, 2011

Holiday Greetings from the Great Lakes Commission!


GLRI-backed sediment reduction projects started in Ohio, Indiana watersheds
Kickoff events were recently held for two major sediment reduction efforts funded by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI). The Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District received a $400,000 grant for a project in Ohio’s Rocky River Watershed, and the Elkhart, Indiana, Soil & Water Conservation District received $397,900 for work in the Elkhart River Watershed. Both projects will promote watershed-wide implementation of best management practices, such as cover crops, zone tillage and grass waterways to reduce erosion and sedimentation in the Great Lakes basin. The grants were administered by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Great Lakes Commission through the Great Lakes Basin Program for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control.

“Sediment loading in the Great Lakes has emerged as a major concern involving water quality in the lakes, particularly as it relates to the harmful algae blooms we have experienced in recent years,” says Tim Eder, executive director of the Great Lakes Commission. “We believe that by working at the watershed level with our federal partner (NRCS) and with these GLRI funds, we can significantly reduce this threat to the health of the Great Lakes.”

The Great Lakes Commission has been involved in the reduction of nonpoint source pollution, specifically sediment reduction, since 1988. Since its establishment in 1991, the Basin Program has funded 439 local small-scale projects and 16 watershed-scale projects allocating over $20 million to control erosion and sediment. These projects have reduced soil erosion in the Great Lakes basin by more than 1.6 million tons and phosphorus loadings by over 1.6 million pounds.

Contact: Gary Overmier, 734-971-9135, garyo@glc.org.

The Goshen Pond Dam on the Elkhart River; Goshen, Indiana.

Registration now open for Great Lakes Day 2012 in Washington, D.C.
Online registration is now available for the Great Lakes Commission Semiannual Meeting and Great Lakes Day events scheduled for February 27-29, 2012, in Washington, D.C. The events will feature dialogue on Great Lakes priorities by regional leaders and members of Congress, including federal appointees who play a critical role in shaping Great Lakes policies. Meetings will take place at the Hamilton Crowne Plaza Hotel in downtown Washington, the same location for the past two Great Lakes Day events. Registration information and other details can be accessed at www.glc.org/greatlakesday.

GLC’s Manninen honored by Michigan Technological University
Christine Manninen, communications director for the Great Lakes Commission, has been named to the Michigan Technological University Presidential Council of Alumnae (PCA). She was inducted into the Council Sept. 16, 2011, by Michigan Tech President Glen Mroz.

PCA inductees are female graduates of Michigan Tech who are recognized for their career and academic accomplishments, past service as a student or community volunteer, support for the university and personal achievements. The PCA advises the President on campus issues, enhancing the female enrollment and retention rate at Michigan Tech, and improving the University environment for all students. Manninen, a 17-year member of the GLC staff and director of the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN), holds a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from Michigan Tech (’90) and a master’s degree in environmental journalism from Michigan State University.


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Great Lakes Commission
2805 S. Industrial Hwy, Suite 100   Ann Arbor, MI 48104-6791   734-971-9135   www.glc.org
A News Briefs archive can be found at www.glc.org/email/archive