By Jeff Gillies
Dec. 3, 2009
Lake Erie’s pollution in the ’60s and ’70s killed off its mayflies, insects that spend most of their lives underwater before flying off in huge hatches that carpet coastal towns.
But the bugs have returned in a big way.
“I’ve seen people out there with snow blowers, blowing them around,” said Justin Chaffin, a doctoral student in the University of Toledo’s biology department. “If you walk down the sidewalk or a parking lot it’s like you’re walking on bubble wrap.”
Cleaner water is responsible for the resurgence. But in …

(MN) Pioneer Press - Eight Minnesota environmental and conservation organizations are urging the U.S. Coast Guard to adopt tougher ballast-water standards for ships on the Great Lakes to stop the introduction and spread of harmful invasive aquatic species.

(MN) Minneapolis Star Tribune - Two years into a five-year test of herbicides to control Eurasian water milfoil on Lake Minnetonka, results are so encouraging that more shoreline property owners are asking for the chemical treatment in their bays.

(IL) Chicago Tribune – A plan is under way in Highland Park to help keep at least a small amount of raw sewage out of Lake Michigan — the source of drinking water and recreation for millions of people across the region.

(MI) Mlive – A wetlands restoration project at the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge has been completed.

(NY) New York Times - Not everyone was happy when the gray wolf population in the Northern Rockies, near extinction in the mid-1970’s, staged a remarkable comeback under the protections of the Endangered Species Act. By the end of last year there were about 1,650 in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. Ranchers complained that the wolves were killing their sheep and cattle; hunters complained that they were devastating big game, mainly elk.

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(MI) The Mudpuppy – Remedial dredging of the Saginaw River in 2000 and 2001 has apparently resulted in lower levels of polychlorinated biphenyls in walleye.

(MI) Metro Times – When it comes to curbside recycling in Detroit, city officials and activists looking to boost participation in a pilot program are hoping children can help lead the way to a greener future. It’s help that is definitely needed.

By Elisabeth Pernicone and Shawntina Phillips
Dec. 1, 2009
Last summer’s Cash for Clunkers Program collected 700,000 used cars, according to the United States Department of Transportation. Although it was successful in giving Americans a $3,500 or $4,500 credit for a new fuel-efficient car, the environment could need a rebate of its own.