Georgian Bay Forever - Latest Updates
More news on the Carp
Ontario takes Asian carp fight to U.S. Supreme Court
01/01/2010 7:11:37 AM
Mary Gazze
Ontario has filed a motion in the U.S. Supreme court, supporting a lawsuit aimed at preventing the spread of an invasive fish into the Great Lakes that could cause billions of dollars in damage to the fishing industry.
Carp Update
Here is an interesting article by Dan Egan on the current situation in Chicago:
By Dan Egan of the Journal Sentinel
"The once-radical idea of somehow plugging the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal to stop the flow of unwanted species from spilling between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River basin is quickly picking up political support."
http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/79646167.html
Still "No Action" from the Study Board
The IUGLS final report on the St Clair river was released on Tuesday and, no surprises, the study board is sticking to its recommendation that no remedial action be taken at this time.
The study board has also come out hard against GBF and the numbers we've quoted (5% increase in conveyance, 10 cm and 6 billion gallons per day increase). Ted Yuzyk, the Canadian co-chair of the study, told media that GBF is using numbers "that were made up and not credible." The IUGLS board members are also quoted as saying that the work done in the Baird report is "bunk".
Remember that it was the peer reviewed, GBF sponsored study by Baird that triggered this study process.
The study board concludes that:
• There has been no significant erosion of the channel in the upper reach of the St. Clair River bed since at least 2000.
• Based on 15 different analyses, an increase in the river’s conveyance capacity accounts for 7 to 14 cm (2.8 to 5.5 inches) of the decline in head difference between Lake Michigan‐Huron and Lake Erie from 1963 to 2006 ; however, this change is not ongoing and there has been a slight decrease in conveyance capacity since 2000.
• Climate is the main driver of lake level relationships over time and accounts for 9 to 17 cm (3.5 to 6.7 inches) of the decline in head difference. In particular, hydroclimatic change contributed to a substantial decline in net water supplies to Lake Michigan‐Huron in the most recent decade.
Looking at each point in turn:
• There has been no significant erosion of the channel in the upper reach of the St. Clair River bed since at least 2000.
Prior to that time, significant erosion took place and the study board states that some event in the 1980s caused sudden and profound change in the conveyance, and the report's own studies show that there is ongoing erosion in the river – “Clay-till exposures near the Black River have scour features that indicate active erosion.” IUGLSB-SCR- Sediment 2, David S. Foster and Jane F. Denny
• Based on 15 different analyses, an increase in the river’s conveyance capacity accounts for 7 to 14 cm (2.8 to 5.5 inches) of the decline in head difference between Lake Michigan‐Huron and Lake Erie from 1963 to 2006 ; however, this change is not ongoing and there has been a slight decrease in conveyance capacity since 2000.
“Using bathymetry data of equal density, the analysis found that since 1971 the water level of Lake Michigan-Huron has decreased from 9 to 13 cm (3.5 to 5.1 in) due to an increase in conveyance. In terms of discharge, the models indicated that, for the same Lake Michigan-Huron and Lake St. Clair water levels, the St. Clair River could now convey between 250 and 275 m3/s (8,829 and 9,712 ft3/s [OR 5.7 – 6.2 Billion Gallons per day]) more water than it could in 1971, assuming equal upstream and downstream levels.” pg 106, IMPACTS ON UPPER GREAT LAKES WATER LEVELS: ST. CLAIR RIVER, final report. [] brackets added by the writer
These are the same numbers that Ted Yuzyk says are "made up and not credible". Even if the conveyance increase isn't continuing to get larger, and that isn't a given, the "damage is done", the loss of extra water is ongoing and the river still has the capacity to allow 5% more water to flow out of the river than it would have in 1971. A dripping faucet wastes a lot of water. Add to this the possibility of real impacts of climate change all point towards taking common sense action and applying the precautionary principle to begin to finally look at implementing remedial measures now.
• Climate is the main driver of lake level relationships over time and accounts for 9 to 17 cm (3.5 to 6.7 inches) of the decline in head difference. In particular, hydroclimatic change contributed to a substantial decline in net water supplies to Lake Michigan‐Huron in the most recent decade.
So conveyance caused lake level drops of 7 - 14 cm are trivial but climate change at 9 - 17 cm is main driver of the lake level relationships...hmmm. Conveyance changes created lake level drops in the same range as the climate attributed drop but conveyance induced level drops are consistently downplayed and minimized by the study board. All of this extra conveyance capacity is post 1962 due to the study mandate, so if the 1962 dredging that caused a 16 cm drop is not considered, and the current 7 - 14 cm isn't enough to warrant remedial action, we're going to have death by a thousand pin pricks.
Meanwhile, precious water is continuing to drain out of the lake.
Much more to come...
IJC International Upper Great Lakes Study Board
St Clair River Report due out December 15th, 2009
The IJC IUGLSB SCR report is due out at 10:30 EST December 15, 2009. GBF will have comments following the release. Watch this site for reports, commentary and resources to help understand the conclusions drawn by the Study Board.
More to come....
US Ballast Water Clean-up Rules for Immediate Comment
Canadian and US citizens who own property on Georgian Bay or boaters who cruise among the busiest boating channels on the Great Lakes in the 30,000 Islands all know the damage caused by Zebra Mussels, from clogging intake pipes to changing the delicate balance of aquatic life by consuming vast quantities of the food at the bottom of the food chain. And we know about the painfull cuts on our feet and hands from the dense colonies of these invasive mussels along the shorelines of the 30,000 granite islands.
Georgian Bay Forever and the Georgian Baykeeper urge anyone interested to provide feedback to support new rules proposed by the US Coast Guard with some important additions. As members of Healing Our Waters Coalition and the Waterkeeper Alliance, Georgian Bay Forever supports the following joint action call.
November 30th, 2009
Action Alert! Tell the US Coast Guard to Implement Strict Ballast Clean-Up Rules!
Comment deadline Friday, December 4!
After years of inaction, the U.S. Coast Guard is poised to fix one of the most troublesome problems facing the Great Lake's fish and wildlife: aquatic invasive species. Citizen groups and individuals are invited to submit comments on this important process until Friday, December 4.
Aquatic invasive species, such as zebra mussels and round gobies, are one of the most significant threats to the Great Lakes aquatic ecosystem. More than 65% of the aquatic invasive species found in the Great Lakes have been brought in via ballast tanks of ships transiting the St. Lawrence Seaway. These invaders threaten the lakes ecosystems, our regional economy and our way of life. Once here, they cannot be eradicated. The only option for protecting the Great Lakes from further invasive species damage is to end new introductions.
Earlier this fall, the United States Coast Guard proposed a new rule that would that would require ships transiting any waters of the United States, including the St. Lawrence Seaway, to clean-up their ballast tanks. This rule could be a groundbreaking regulation and could be the strongest effort yet in the fight to stop aquatic invasive species introductions!
But the proposed rule allows polluters too much time to fix the problem. Ships could avoid compliance for another ten years unless timelines are shortened. We need to tell the Coast Guard in no uncertain terms that it needs to stop introductions of aquatic invasive species into the Great Lakes – now!
A few facts about the rule:
- The final standard for ballast water discharges is excellent, and as good as the strongest state standard on the books, such as New York and California.
- The timeline for implementing the final standard is weak. Ships could avoid complying until after 2020.
- The rules apply to ‘lakers’, vessels that operate exclusively in the Great Lakes. Although Lakers do not introduce new species, they do contribute to the problem by spreading species within the region.
- There is a clause included in the rule, (called the “feasibility review” of technology) that could endlessly delay implementation of the final standard.
It’s critical for the administration to get this right the first time so there are no further delays to getting technology installed on board ships.
Take Action!
The U.S. Coast Guard will be facing opposition from industry about this proposed rule, and therefore it’s essential that they hear from citizens who want the River protected!
Write the U.S. Coast Guard to let them know that you support the proposed discharge standard but that the timeline should be shortened.
Points to include in your letter:
- Support the proposed final standard that is equivalent to the most stringent state standards, currently 1000 times greater than the International Maritime Organization standard.
- Support the application of the rules to Lakers.
- Urge a shorter timeline, including adoption of the first phase of clean-up technologies no later than 2012 with a final deadline for the strictest standards no later than 2016.
- Urge a firm deadline for ‘feasiblity reviews’, endless delay is not acceptable.
- And, let the U.S. Coast Guard know how aquatic invasive species have impacted you and why you feel that strong standards should be in place as quickly as possible.
How to Submit Comments:
Submit comments online by Friday, December 4th.
For More Information
For more information about the impact of aquatic invasive species on the River, visit Save The River’s Clean Up the Ballast Campaign page.
And, the U.S. Coast Guard has plenty of information about the proposed rule including:
--30--
Great Turnout for Science Day
About 100 people came out this past Saturday to hear our science and research team updates on the past years work. Dr. Karl Schiefer and Dr. Pat Chow-Fraser and her team talked about their work on Water Quality and Wetlands. One of the most interesting presentations dealt with the work done on wetland complexing for the entire Eastern Georgian Bay area. Complexing is a process that allows a high quality, diverse wetland to be deemed Provincially Significant if it is within 750 metres of an existing Provincially Significant Wetland. The new Provincially Significant Wetland can then be used to complex further wetlands, using the same rules. The average separation of wetlands Pat's team's preliminary analysis showed was only 178m, so there is some continuing effort to analyse the data. This means that rather than having hundreds of individual isolated wetlands we can define broader boundaries and cluster together wetlands into complexes. More to come on this.
Thanks to all of the volunteers and especially to Peter Kelk and his staff for their gracious hosting of the event.
For Immediate Release
David Sweetnam: 905-880-4945 ext 1 Friday, Nov. 20, 2009
Georgian Bay Forever
Groups Declare Asian Carp Emergency,
Call on Federal and Provincial governments to insist that Michigan Close all connections to Lake Michigan
(Toronto) – News today that Asian carp may be about to enter the Great Lakes requires immediate action by Ottawa and the governments of Ontario and Quebec to call on their U.S. counterparts to declare a state of emergency.
New testing results shows the presence of Asian carp DNA above the final electric barrier in the Chicago Sanitary and Shipping canal in Illinois and adjacent to the O’Brien Lock just 6 miles south of Lake Michigan in the Calumet River – nearly 20 miles closer than previous tests had shown.
The group is strongly urging that Federal and Provincial governments demand that the U.S. Government declare an emergency to allow the Army Corps of Engineers, the US Coast Guard and the State of Illinois close the O'Brien and Chicago River locks and ensure the Wilmette pumping station is netted and that they use all measures to ensure the fish are stopped. Monitoring results show that the waterways contain both bighead and silver carp and that the electric barrier built to keep these fish out of Lake Michigan and the other Great Lakes has been breached.
Asian carp are voracious filter feeders that can grow to more than 4 feet long and weigh up to 100 pounds. Their size and voracious feeding habits will muscle out the native fishery.
Asian carp currently constitute 95% of the biomass in the Illinois River south of the electric barrier. If not prevented from entering Lake Michigan, they will quickly dominate and then take over the entire Great Lakes fishery.
“This is an emergency situation. This is news we've been dreading since the day the carp escaped into the Mississippi River just over 10 years ago,” said David Sweetnam, Executive Director of Georgian Bay Forever. “Failing to stop these invaders will destroy our Great Lakes fishery. Canada's Department of Fisheries and Oceans has performed a Risk Assessment, and it shows that these fish constitute a high risk for establishing and proliferating throughout all our lakes and rivers. They like our cold water. It’s time to act – the time for study is over. We must save the Great Lakes -- the world’s largest surface freshwater system – now and not let this be another Sea Lamprey type of failure.”
Mary Muter, Georgian Baykeeper for Georgian Bay Forever said: “The stakes are too high -- we have to act now. Getting this wrong will be catastrophic for the Great Lakes. Georgian Bay Forever and other groups have warned of the potential need for drastic action for a number of years now.”
Just last week the U.S.Army Corps of Engineers announced plans to close the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal for four to five days beginning Dec. 2 to perform routine maintenance on an electric barrier built to keep the carp at bay. While the barrier is out of service, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources plans to treat 6 miles of the canal between the barrier and the Lockport Lock and Dam with rotenone, a fish-killing poison. However, this new finding of Asian Carp DNA places the fish well above there, closer to lake Michigan. DFO and other Canadian Agencies have teams on standby to assist.
"If we don't close the locks linking this area with Lake Michigan, we are waving the white flag and allowing one of the greatest ecological tragedies to occur,” said Muter. "It is time for all emergency measures possible. It is too late to “study” this issue. Get out the fine nets, floats and weights and put them across every pathway. If the Asian carp make it to Lake Michigan, the damage to fisheries in the Lakes and tributaries will be profound and irreversible."
If the carp make their way into the Great Lakes, they could devastate the region's $4.5 billion fishing industry and permanently alter how recreational boaters, anglers and tourists use and enjoy the lakes and their many tributaries.
Link to map of the area: http://www.lrc.usace.army.mil/projects/fish_barrier/index.html
What You Can Do: Email or call Canadian political leaders and ask that they insist that all emergency measures possible be put in place, including closing the locks and all hydrological connections to Lake Michigan until it is known that the Asian carp cannot get into the lake:
The Honourable Gail Shea
Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
613-992-3474
Min@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
The Honourable Jim Prentice
Minister of the Environment
Telephone : 613-992-4275
Fax : 613-947-9475
Minister@ec.gc.ca
The Honourable Lawrence Cannon
Minister of Foreign Affairs
613-995-1851
Cannon.L@parl.gc.ca
The Honourable John Gerretsen
Ontario Minister of the Environment
Telephone: (416) 314-6790
Fax: (416) 314-7337
minister.moe@ontario.ca
The Honourable Donna Cansfield
Ontario Minister of Natural Resources
1-800-667-1940 or 416 314 2301
dcansfield.mpp@liberal.ola.org
Keep the Carp out! - What you can do.
We all know the results of failing to prevent invasive species like the Sea Lamprey, Zebra Mussels and many others from entering the Great Lakes -- costs are estimated at over $200 million per year to Great Lakes States, Provinces, businesses and communities. And now we are at a critical point in the fight to prevent the next destructive invader from entering the Great Lakes throught the Chicago Sanitary and Shipping Canal. Asian carp could result in an ecological disaster for the Great Lakes and the region’s commercial and recreational fishery if they invade the Lakes.
Asian carp are voracious feeders that can grow to over 40kg and more than 1 meter in length. In addition to their destruction of the native species, Silver Carp leap (see part one of this video) from the water when startled and cause a serious safety concern for boaters (see part two of this video). These filter feeding fish remove the food from the bottom of the food chain and have the ability to muscle out and starve our native aquatic species and fish and this could result in a collapse of the remaining Great Lakes commercial and recreational fishery.
We need to let the Honourable Ministers Shea and Prentice know that we want them to do everything possible and to work closely with our US partners to ensure these destructive invaders are kept out of our Great Lakes!
Email (or write) to:
The Honourable Gail Shea
Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
Parliament Buildings, Wellington Street
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada K1A 0A6
The Honourable Jim Prentice
Minister of the Environment
Parliament Buildings, Wellington Street
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada K1A 0A6
The list of Great Lakes Species at Risk that would be threatened by these invasive carp is long and includes Lake Sturgeon, three species of cisco, black striped minnows, Warmouth sunfish, American eel, several species of shiners and the Atlantic salmon. Lake Sturgeon and Atlantic salmon have only recently begun to re-establish self-sustaining populations in the Great Lakes and are very important to the recreational fishery.
Once into Lake Michigan, the Asian carp could quickly make their way into all the Great Lakes and its tributary rivers. A Risk Assessment study for the Asian carp was recently carried out by Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and it showed that the risk of invasion is “high” and that the carp infestation could reach as far north as Canada’s Arctic waters.
Georgian Bay Forever Science Reporting Day
Come and join us on November 28, 2009 at Kelk’s, 48 Lesmill Road in Toronto (near 401 & Leslie) from 11am to 3pm for our
annual Science Reporting Day.
You will hear the latest news from Dr. Karl Schiefer and Dr. Pat Chow-Fraser.
Learn about:
our water quality monitoring program and the needed next steps
the attached filamentous algae we found on exposed outer islands
wetlands’ vulnerability to water level fluctuations
the impact of wetlands on water quality
the extent of impact of spring runoff on water quality
the invasive reed Phragmites australis and its impact on shorelines and property values.
Lunch will be served at 12:30
Hope to see you there.
What is the latest on Georgian Bay Forever's (formerly GBA Foundation) work?
On water levels
Georgian Bay Forever's media release May 1,2009
“Do Nothing” Recommendation for Water Loss in Great Lakes Based on Incomplete Science
Contact: David Sweetnam, Executive Director 905 880 4945 georgianbayforever@hotmail.com
Mary Muter, Georgian Baykeeper 416 489 8101 mmuter@sympatico.ca
Roy Schatz, founding President 416-922-4415 / royschatz@sympatico.ca
Six Billion Gallon extra Per Day Outflow from Michigan and Huron, Study Board Recommends No Action be Taken
PARRY SOUND, ONTARIO—An environmental group and leading scientists are disputing the findings of a report commissioned to understand how changes in the St. Clair River contribute to the alarming decline of water levels in the upper Great Lakes . The study, released Friday by The International Upper Great Lakes Study Board (IUGLSB), found that 6 billion more gallons of water are flowing out of Lakes Michigan and Huron per day as compared to 1971, but that it is due to “natural causes,” and that no remedial measures need to be taken.
In 2004 Baird & Associates, an internationally respected coastal consulting engineering firm, found that decades of dredging in the St. Clair River, shoreline alterations and sand and gravel mining have led to an increased conveyance that draws more water from Lakes Michigan and Huron into the lower Lakes and out to the Atlantic Ocean.
Georgian Bay Forever, a Canadian environmental charity, commissioned the original Baird & Associates report and has been the leading voice in asking the International Joint Commission (IJC) to address the St Clair River issue. The group is calling the Study Board Report premature and its science incomplete.
“The changes in the St. Clair River and their effect on water levels have been cited previously following rigorous and public scientific processes – the new Study Board was meant to examine physical changes and establish the best solutions moving forward. The fact that it completely dismisses such an enormous increase in outflow and recommends that nothing be done about it is very disturbing” said Roy Schatz, Founding President of the GBA Foundation now Georgian Bay Forever.
The Georgian Bay Forever's main concerns with the Study include:
The Study finds a 5% increase in the conveyance of the St. Clair River, or 6 billion gallons per day of permanent loss of water from Lakes Michigan and Huron, yet recommends no action be taken. The 2004 Baird Report, which used only best practices for all scientific work, found that the loss is 12 billion gallons per day and increasing – the equivalent of 20,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools. These Great Lakes, only 1% of which is replenished by precipitation and run off, cannot sustain this gigantic loss.
- Two key studies that will offer a more complete scientific picture have not been made public. These studies, commissioned by IUGLSB but not released publicly, include a Baird & Associates verification of how much water is flowing out of Lake Huron through the St. Clair River and a study on remediation requirements by Ralph Pentland, the former director of water planning and management for Environment Canada.
- Studies of the impact of maintenance dredging will not be completed until this summer – after the public consultation process has closed.
- IUGLSB has refused to conduct 3-D modeling of the St. Clair River, which is agreed upon by many leading scientists and environmental groups as the only way to understand the complex flows of such a large river.
- The study only estimates key data – their new flow meter reads only 2/3 of the way across the river, with the study claiming to “extrapolate” the rest of the flow measurements – “estimate” would be a better word. The Study Board has admitted that the outflow data have been underestimated for the past 22 years. Correction of the flawed data is still underway.
“They started with flawed data and they got flawed conclusions,” said Bill Bialkowski a recently retired engineer and Georgian Bay Forever's water levels committee member who has devoted years of volunteer time and expertise to this issue. “The Study Board needs to move to a higher level of science in order to understand this complex river. It appears that sources were carefully screened to support preconceived conclusions.”
The current excessive water loss could be catastrophic for Lakes Michigan and Huron. Once the current cycle of above average precipitation and cooler temperatures ends and climate change results in long periods of drought and warmer temperatures, a further 3-4 foot drop in Lake levels would occur. Such a change would have devastating consequences for ecosystems and economies in the region. The time to act is now:
- before predicted climate change impacts lead to another three- or four-foot drop in Michigan-Huron levels;
- before the Great Lakes’ best wetlands are lost forever;
- before ships can no longer transit the middle lakes;
- before marinas begin seeking millions more of taxpayers’ dollars to dredge and blast harbours for recreational boats;
- before more toxic blue green algal blooms begin occurring;
- and before fish habitat and populations are decimated.
“Millions of taxpayer dollars have been spent on this Study to understand what is causing this huge loss of water through the St. Clair River, but the Study Board has published a premature Report based on incomplete findings”, said Mary Muter, Georgian Baykeeper and Georgian Bay Forever board member. “We need a serious, consensus-based, scientifically sound solution to protect this important ecological and economic resource.”
The Study Board will present its final Report to the International Joint Commission later this fall. The GBA Foundation is calling on the board to crunch its numbers again, consider all the studies it has commissioned, and re-evaluate its conclusions before then.
The Georgian Bay Forever is a registered Canadian charity created in 1995 to protect, enhance and restore the natural ecosystem and aquatic environment of the Georgian Bay area. www.georgianbayforever.org
Current water levels conditions
While water levels are up on all the Great Lake due to the above average precipitation Lakes Michigan, Huron and Georgian Bay remain well below their long-term average. There is good reason to be concerned that the middle lakes have not returned closer to their long-term average. To learn more click to read our Baird Report and related information.
To see the latest water levels go to http://www.lre.usace.army.mil/greatlakes/hh/datalinks/PrinterFriendly/DailyLevelsEnglish.pdf
- Dock to nowhere!
GBA Foundation is anxiously waiting for the International Upper Great Lakes Study Board to report on Phase 1 their St Clair River work. That $17 Million Study is the 6th time that the International Joint Commission has examined methods of controlling the outflow of Lake Huron into the St Clair River. The river has suffered from human activities that began over 100 years ago and include sand and gravel mining, navigation dredging and shoreline alterations including shoreline hardening. Our Baird Report led to the International Joint Commission adding the review of water level impacts of changes in the river to the conveyance capacity of St Clair River to their current Study. Their St Clair River Report will be made public May 1 and there will be a 60 day comment period following that.
On May 1 2009 we will have comments available at this site. Please check our site then!
To get the latest reactions to the IGC's International Upper Great Lakes Study, click here to receive updates.
Our wetlands work
- Wetlands are the most important part of the aquatic ecosystem.
- 80% of Great Lakes fish need wetlands for spawning and or nursery habitat
- On Lakes Ontario and Erie up to 70% of wetlands have been lost due to development encroachment and or pollution.
- Dr. Pat Chow-Fraser holding a juvenile Musky
- Not until our Foundation worked with McMaster University wetlands biologists and found that Georgian Bay has the most extensive, high quality, most diverse wetlands found anywhere is the Great Lakes
- But Georgian Bay wetlands are also very sensitive to sustained low water levels because they are on post ice age glacial deposits scattered among the 30,000 granite islands
- And guess what?- we have had sustained low water levels since 1999
- To find out more download McMaster Universities Dr Pat Chow-Fraser's presentation
Water Quality is linked to water levels
Our Foundation has conducted research and education on near shore water quality on the east coast of Georgian Bay since 1995. We have a network of volunteers that have
- Would you swim in this water?
carried out a bacterial sampling program that we combine with a detailed chemical, temperature oxygen and fish community profiles carried out by our consulting aquatic biologist.
A few years after water levels fell by over 4 feet beginning in 1999 we began to see the impact of less exchange of water in enclosed bays along the coast. There are now 7 bays that have elevated phosphous levels late in the summer but one of the bays has had 4 years of health advisories due to toxic blue green algal blooms. Once that happens the problem becomes very difficut to solve since the de-oxygenated waters result in more phosphorus being produced from the decomposing sediments. To learn more download and read the latest report.
