The Neebish Island News

The Soo Evening News reported the Sault Ste. Marie's City Commissioner's apoplectic response to the EPA's proposed cleaners fuel rules. See: City rallies around historic ships

The anger is a bit disingenuous as there are many complaints and a desire for something to be done when raw sewage overflows into the St. Marys River - in many ways particulate air pollution is worse as it directly contributes to premature deaths. How is working for clean air in the Great Lakes different than working for clean water? Are these complainers going to threaten to move to Mexico because the government wants to improve the well being of the public? And have they been to Mexico? Do they have any idea how bad the air quality in Mexico City is?

Also, the reporter in the story wrote "The EPA regulation is set to go in effect in December which would seemingly prevent the good ships and crews from even completing the 2009-10 shipping season." but this is inaccurate. The Lake Carriers would have had until 2015 to fully meet the emissions requirements.

A compromise has been reached however. See: Deal struck on Great Lakes ship pollution

Congressional negotiators reached a deal Tuesday that would effectively exempt 13 ships that haul iron ore, coal and other freight on the Great Lakes from a proposed federal rule meant to reduce air pollution.

A different view from Great Lakes United: Clearing the Smoke on Ship Emission Standards

Labels: freighter, law, pollution, shipping

UPDATE: As expected, the Advisory was lifted for all areas August 13th. The water is safe to enter once again. For more on combined sewage overflows see The Free Press: How our lakes get so dirty
And this event serves as another reminder that the more we can reduce runoff the fewer times we'll have sewage in the St. Marys river.

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From 9&10 News: Chippewa County Health Department Issues Advisory After Sewage Overflow

The Chippewa County Health Department issued a 'no body contact' advisory for areas along the north shore of Sugar Island within the Lake George Channel and the lower St. Mary's River down to Neebish Island.

I checked the Chippewa County Health Department web site tonight and the upper portions of the river have had the contact ban lifted so I'd expect E. coli levels to drop enough in the next 24-48 hours that the Neebish Island shoreline will have its ban lifted too.

Labels: pollution, St. Marys River

Lake Superior fish meet contamination risk

The largest, deepest and coldest Great Lake holds another distinction — the highest levels of the contaminant toxaphene in the region and possibly anywhere in the world... Toxaphene has been shown to damage the immune system, nervous system and lungs and to cause cancer. The principal human exposure comes from eating fish.

It contains more than 670 chemicals and was one of the most heavily used insecticides in the United States.

Popular Insect Repellent Deet Is Neurotoxic

Labels: pollution

Evidence has been building over the past several years that the gender balance of mammalian species is changing due to estrogen-mimicking chemicals in the environment.

Here's a recent story from Hamilton, ON regarding pike: Fewer male pike in fish habitat

And to learn more about the issue see: The disappearing male

Labels: pollution

Via the CSMonitor: Great perils of the Great Lakes

Labels: ecology, economy, freighter, pollution, shipping, water levels

See: Study: Soot-spewing ships pollute environment

Labels: pollution, shipping

Bush signs bill to clean waters that feed into Lakes

And an example of why this matters - Pollution is personal: Author blames cancer on county's toxic shoreline

Labels: pollution, remediation

The levels of organic contaminants and heavy metals in the St. Marys River are showing improvement. See: Water quality in the St. Marys River is ‘definitely’ improving

However, isn't there a saying about when you point a finger three more point back at you? It is revealed that after blaming Soo, Ontario; Sugar Island might have to ask if the beach closings of last year were due to sewer discharge from the Michigan side of the river. See: Sault Michigan does not test storm sewer outfalls; Sault Ontario does

Labels: pollution, St. Marys River, water

U.S. Coast Guard policy would allow lake freighters to keep dumping refuse

Freighters could continue dumping tons of coal and other dry cargo residues into the Great Lakes indefinitely under a proposed U.S. Coast Guard policy

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If you did this on your boat you could face a $50,000 fine.

Labels: pollution

You've probably heard in the news about drugs showing up in tap water. This story - EPA urges Great Lakes residents not to flush old meds - is a follow-up. And it reminded me to share a little ditty that I've taped on the walls of the cottage at Neebish Island so guests understand that a septic system is not a trash can.

What you flush down
Goes into the ground
Makes its way around
Back to the well it's bound
So please, make decisions that are sound

The website InspectApedia is quite a septic system resource. Here is their just one of their guides - Septic Tank Maintenance: What Can or Cannot Be Flushed into a Septic Tank - Septic Tank Maintenance and Cleaning Advice

And Montana State University has this resource - Septic Tank and Drainfield Operation and Maintenance

- The area over the drainfield should be left undisturbed, with only a mowed grass cover. Roots from nearby trees or shrubs may clog and damage your drain lines.
- Keep automobiles and heavy equipment off the drainfield.
- Do not plan any building additions, pools, driveways, or other construction work near the septic tank, drainfield or the replacement drainfield area.
- Do not put too much water into the se
- Do not flush non-biodegradable materials such as plastics, disposable diapers, sanitary napkins and applicators—they rapidly fill up the tank and will clog the system.
- Restrict the use of your kitchen garbage disposal—it increases the amount of solids in the tank, making them slower to decompose.
- Do not pour grease or cooking oils down the sink drain because they solidify and clog the soil absorption field.
- Don’t allow paints, motor oil, pesticides, fertilizers or disinfectants to get into your septic system. They can pass directly through the septic system and contaminate groundwater. These chemicals can also kill the microorganisms which decompose wastes and can damage the soil in the drainfield.
- Do not use caustic drain openers for a clogged drain. Instead use boiling water or a drain snake to free up clogs. Clean your toilet, sinks, shower and tubs with a mild detergent or baking soda rather than the stronger and potentially system-damaging commercial bathroom cleansers.

Labels: cottage, pollution, water

Via the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Benefits of cleaning Great Lakes cited

Healthy waters are not only good for the people and wildlife that depend on them. In this increasingly thirsty world, they are also good at attracting investment.

"These restoration activities are not just a nice thing to do for the environment," said study co-author John C. Austin, a senior fellow with the Metropolitan Policy Program at The Brookings Institution, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank contracted to do analysis. "They are essential things to do for job creation in (the) region."

The gains would primarily be tied to increases in tourism, property values, fishing and other recreational activities.

Labels: pollution

From the North Bay Nugget - Sewage, sediment polluting Heritage Waterway; Communication needed to save St. Mary's River

Labels: pollution

From Businessnorth.com - Evidence points to more barrels dumped into Lake Superior during the Cold War

More than 1400 drums were ordered by the Department of Defense to be dumped into Lake Superior just a few miles off the shore from Duluth. That happened from 1958 to 1962. The barrels came from Honeywell and contained secret weapons parts, parts they wanted hidden from foriegn (sic) governments.

Labels: pollution

Dredging of St. Marys River/Tannery Bay to resume

This former tannery site is heavily polluted by yummy chromium. From 1900 to 1958 they simply dumped their waste in pits next to the St. Marys River.

Labels: pollution, remediation

Found via GLIN Daily News - the Sault Star reports on the ongoing E. coli problems on northern Sugar Island.

Binational group details river monitoring plan; Sources, cause of E. coli on St. Marys sought

From the way it sounds luckily E. coli levels are normal by the time the water flows to Neebish Island.

Labels: pollution