The Neebish Island News

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