Ohio Gov. John Kasich silenced many of his critics on July 15 when he vetoed legislation fellow Republican Party conservatives engineered that would have gutted the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact. Kasich is now in position to preserve even more Great Lakes water.

By David Poulson
Last week the Healing Our Waters coalition recognized Echo for excellence in reporting on the Great Lakes.
We’ve been recognized by others for pioneering some unusual forms of journalism. But I like to think that this Great Laker award recognizes our success with a traditional function of news: Defining, creating, organizing and fostering community.
Journalists most often define news communities as towns, cities, provinces, states and even nations.  The Echo experiment defines a news community in relationship to a natural resource.
The concept is that a watershed is more than a …

Photo Fridays have been hijacked by the leafers!  During the fall, we’ll be posting reader submitted pictures of brilliant autumn colors throughout the Great Lakes region.

Upgrading storm sewers isn’t glamorous, but such investments not only restore environmental health, they can benefit local economies.

The mouth of a Michigan river with a history of environmental problems will again flow naturally and reconnect Lake Erie to inland towns.

But the project could introduce new problems.

By PAIGE HOUPT
Capital News Service

LANSING- Some lawmakers want to sink ships, aircrafts and cement structures in the Great Lakes to spur Michigan tourist revenue.
Some tourism officials question if the expensive and lengthy process of cleaning and sinking a vessel or aircraft will provide enough economic revenue. Others are concerned about environmental impacts.
But with nearly 10,000 shipwrecks at the bottom of the Great Lakes, recreational diving is already a popular activity in the state.
“Recreational diving tourism is a huge tax revenue source in other states such as Florida and California,” said Rep. …

Great Lakes Week 2011 is underway in Detroit and Echo’s own Gary Wilson is a special guest for Detroit Public Television, which will be providing live coverage of the event.
You may remember Wilson from his recent fiery criticism of Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement officials, or when he called out his own town for green-washing.
Wilson will be live on air giving his take on the conference and the state of the Great Lakes.
Tune in to Detroit Public Television’s live stream through Great Lakes Echo or Great Lakes Now for coverage …

Some scientists worry that the chemicals that make lotion, soap, trash bags and a myriad of household products smell good are an emerging class of pollutants that threaten environmental and human health.

A dose of exercise and fresh air is just what the doctor ordered.
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is partnering with Porter Health Systems in Indiana to prescribe walks, bike rides, kayak trips and other activities to patients through the Park Prescription Program. By getting out to the park, patients will get some exercise and stress relief, while hopefully boosting visitation.
Not every prescription is the same. Before they write a prescription, Porter doctors will find the right trails and activities based on the patient’s needs and abilities. Considering there are over 40 …

A century ago, the Buffalo River was bustling with activity. The shores were lined with automobile, steel and chemical companies. Jobs were abundant.

Today’s Buffalo is a different place. The industrial heritage isn’t gone—it fills the Buffalo River.