FY1996 - 1997 Great Lakes Priorities and Funding Guidance

Recipient: North Central Division ACE (Increase in funding of IAG)
Project Officer: Scott Cieniawski (312-353-9184)

Through this IAG, the ACE will continue to provide administrative supports to GLNPO. This support includes serving as a liaison with Corps districts and research laboratories, preparing reports and financial status briefings, conducting meetings, providing logistical support, preparing briefing materials and videotapes, providing technical review, consolidating comments, and publishing final reports. Under this IAG, the ACE will also conduct an in-situ capping workshop.

Lake Erie Basin

Recipient: Buffalo District ACE
Project Officer: Scott Cieniawski (312-353-9184)

The project will involve the development of a detailed design for an upland disposal facility for dredged contaminated river sediments classified as TSCA and non-TSCA in conformance with the Comprehensive Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement for the Ashtabula River Partnership goal(s)/efforts for complete sediment remediation. The goal is to look beyond traditional approaches in order to determine a comprehensive solution for remediation of the contaminated sediments not suitable for open lake disposal. Successful remediation of the Ashtabula River and Harbor will ultimately enhance economic development and ecological restoration opportunities in Ashtabula County.

Recipient: New York State Canal Corporation
Project Officer: Marc Tuchman (312-353-1369)

This project will involve the identification and quantification of the character of the sediments in the Erie Canal between its confluence with the Niagara River in North Tonawanda, New York and its junction with the Genesee River near Spencerport, New York. The study results will be used to quantify the levels and boundaries of contamination within the study area. Sediment collection and evaluation is required to define the exact upstream and downstream contaminant boundaries, the likely sources of dioxin/furan, PCB and heavy metal contamination and the general time horizons of the contaminant discharge. A report summarizing the findings of this study will be published.

Recipient: Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
Project Officer: Marc Tuchman (312-353-1369)

Sediments in the Unnamed Tributary of the Ottawa River are believed to be the primary source of PCB contamination to the Maumee Bay area. The highest levels of PCBs in sediments (74,000 ppm) in the Maumee River basin were found in the Unnamed Tributary. These sediments are resuspended during rainfall events and transported downstream to the Ottawa River, Maumee Bay, and ultimately to Lake Erie. Several assessments of the Unnamed Tributary have been completed, producing sufficient information to begin remediation efforts.

Lake Michigan Basin

Recipient: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Project Officer: Marc Tuchman (312-353-1369)

White Lake is a Great Lakes AOC located on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. Elevated levels of heavy metals have been found in the northeastern section of the lake in previous studies, including Project #33. The elevated metal concentrations are located near the Whitehall Leather Tannery (Tannery Bay). The current extent of sediment contamination in the area outside of Tannery Bay is unknown with respect to spatial and vertical distribution. In addition, since previous studies focused only on chemical contamination, the biological impacts of the heavy metal contamination have not been evaluated.

Summaries of Projects Awarded for Contaminated Sediments1997

Lake Ontario Basin

Recipient: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Project Officer: Scott Cieniawski (312-353-9184)

This project is designed to collect and analyze sediment samples along Eighteenmile Creek, a tributary to Lake Ontario. The study results will be used to identify locations of contaminated sediments and responsible parties. Thirteen sediment cores and surface samples will be collected and analyzed for chemical contamination and toxicity. Sampling is a follow-up to the sampling program conducted in 1994.

Lake Superior Basin

Recipient: Bay Mills Indian Community
Project Officer: Scott Cieniawski (312-353-9184)

The Upper St. Mary's River, part of the St. Mary's River AOC, has fishery resources which are heavily utilized by recreational anglers and tribal commercial and subsistence fishermen. The proposed sediment assessment project will help identify contaminated sediment sites and possible sources of fish contaminants in the Upper St. Mary's River. The results will help determine if sediments in the study area are contributing to adverse health effects of tribal members and others who consume fish. The project will also contribute to public awareness and to the improvement of fish consumption advisories in the St. Mary's River.

Recipient: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Project Officer: Scott Cieniawski (312-353-9184)

The two projects included in this cluster grant will both support the MPCA's long-term goal of remediating the contaminated sediment "hot spots" located in the Duluth/Superior Harbor AOC. The first project, Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs) for Duluth/Superior Harbor, will enable the MPCA, through the development of SQGs, to: 1) identify contaminated sediment sites, 2) prioritize contaminants of concern, 3) design, implement, and evaluate sediment quality monitoring programs in this AOC, 4) identify priority non-point source management actions, 5) design wetland restoration projects, 6) develop remediation clean-up goals, and 7) assist with the disposal and reuse of dredged material. The second project, Bioaccumulation of Contaminants in the Duluth/Superior Harbor, will involve measuring the bioaccumulation of PAHs, PCBs, and mercury in Lumbriculus variegatus exposed to surficial sediments. The results of this study will allow the MPCA to assess the ecological impacts of contaminated sediments to benthic invertebrates at various "hot spots" in the Harbor.

Lake Erie Basin

Recipient: The Ohio State University Research Foundation
Project Officer: Marc Tuchman (312-353-1369)

The purpose of this project is to conduct a comprehensive assessment of sediment chemistry, fish (bullhead) contaminant levels, and fish (bullhead) population health in the mainstem of the Black River, part of the Black River AOC. The results will be used to judge the effectiveness of past dredging and the contribution of existing sediment contamination to beneficial use impairments in the AOC.

Recipient: Wright State University
Project Officer: Marc Tuchman (312-353-1369)

The purpose of this project is to conduct a comprehensive assessment of sediment toxicity in the mainstem of the Black River, part of the Black River AOC. The results will be used to judge the effectiveness of past dredging and the contribution of existing sediment contamination to beneficial use impairments in the AOC.

Recipient: Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
Project Officer: Marc Tuchman (312-353-1369)

The purpose of this project is to conduct a sediment survey in Michigan waters of the Detroit River, north of the Trenton Channel, to determine the depth of contamination in depositional zones previously found to contain contamination on the surface. The results will be used to determine areas that require further delineation and to prioritize remedial action.

Recipient: Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
Project Officer: Marc Tuchman (312-353-1369)

The purpose of this project is to outline the steps necessary towards sediment cleanup implementation by planning feasibility studies of full-scale remediation in Trenton Channel contaminated sediment sites, coupled with assessing the marketability and reuse of treated sediments. The project will focus on four sites in planning sediment remediation. Site reports will be developed for each site summarizing the site and contaminant levels and incorporating maps, volume calculations, proposed dredging specifications, listing of necessary permits for dredging and sediment treatment/disposal, and assessments of potential habitat restoration options.

Lake Michigan Basin

Recipient: Brown County Harbor Commission
Project Officer: Scott Cieniawski (312-353-9184)

This project consists of redeveloping and expanding a land-side dredge disposal facility in the port of Green Bay. The redevelopment will convert the dredge disposal facility into a dredge material processing facility in an effort to reclaim the dredged material for beneficial reuse. Funds will be used to mine approximately 20,000 yd3 of dried dredge material from the dredge disposal facility, create the first cell (Cell 4) of a recently approved site expansion, and develop a de-watering cell (Cell 5), with structures in place, to facilitate the de-watering process. Future site plans call for the complete conversion of the facility from a material storage facility to a material processing/resource recovery facility.

Recipient: Grand Valley State University
Project Officer: Marc Tuchman (312-353-1369)

The purpose of this project is to assess the nature and extent of sediment contamination in the Lower Grand River, from the City of Grand Rapids, Michigan to the confluence with Lake Michigan. This area of the river has a history of anthropogenic inputs related to heavy metals, agricultural pesticides, and wood preservative compounds, and preliminary results from the LMMB Study show that the Grand River contributes the highest load of lead and pesticides to Lake Michigan. The results will be important for the determination of source areas that require further delineation and for the prioritization of remedial action.

Recipient: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Project Officer: Scott Cieniawski (312-353-9184)

The purpose of this project is to remediate a relatively small, well defined, contaminated sediment "hot spot" (Deposit "N") within the Fox River. Extensive data has been collected on this deposit by the Fox River/Green Bay Mass Balance Project, WDNR monitoring, and the Fox River Coalition RI/FS project. Based on the FS, the selected remedial option includes dredging and off-site disposal. This work will directly support the overall goal of the remediation of 8,500 cubic yards of contaminated sediment from the Fox River system.

Basin-wide

Recipient: Great Lakes Commission
Project Officer: Marc Tuchman (312-353-1369)

The goal of this project is to support development and implementation of several outreach tools to promote the Great Lakes Dredging Team. The Great Lakes Dredging Team is an interagency organization established to assure that dredging of Great Lakes ports and harbors is conducted in a timely and environmentally responsible manner. The Dredging Team has developed a plan to promote public outreach on issues related to contaminated sediments, dredging, and dredged material management. It will increase public awareness of dredging needs and activities, enhance public involvement and support for the process, and assist with pollution prevention through the remediation of contaminated sediments.

POLLUTION PREVENTION

Summaries of Projects Awarded for Pollution Prevention 1996

None awarded due to FY96 Federal Budget impasse.

Summaries of Projects Awarded for Pollution Prevention 1997

Lake Michigan Basin

Recipient: Indiana State Chemist and Seed Commissioner
Project Officer: Stacy Greendlinger (312-353-5069)

This project will take place in any of the eleven Lake Michigan Basin counties with expected emphasis on Lake and St. Joseph counties. A hazardous waste contractor will be contracted to collect, overpack and dispose of pesticides that will be brought to a one day collection. The collections will be measured against previous attempts in order to determine the success of the project.

Recipient: Illinois EPA
Project Officer: Mark Elster (312-886-3857)

The project funded by the assistance has the goal of reducing the amount of mercury released into the environment and reaching the Great Lakes by encouraging hospitals and other health care facilities in the Chicago metropolitan area to adopt comprehensive pollution prevention programs, with a particular emphasis on mercury-containing devices, products and waste.

Recipient: Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin
Project Officer: Anthony Kizlauskas (312-353-8773)

This is a pollution prevention project for household hazardous waste. The grantee will organize and conduct a household hazardous waste collection effort in Keshena, Wisconsin for residents of the Menominee Indian Reservation. The project will include outreach prior to the event and the actual collection day, which is scheduled for the Spring of 1998.

Recipient: Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
Project Officer: Edward Klappenbach (312-353-1378)

This project is to prevent mercury pollution in the State of Michigan. During 1995, this State convened a task force with membership from diverse sectors, including Dental, Health Care, Automotive, Electrical Switch/Manufacturer, Chemical Users/Manufacturers, and Utilities. It's report identified 70 recommendations for reducing releases of mercury, a substantial number centering around an awareness and educational campaign directed at key audiences. This project will advance this campaign, targeting laboratories, botanicas, farmers, and others with surplus mercury. It will also support workshops for the public and development of a mercury information manual for MDEQ staff.

Lake Michigan and Superior Basins

Recipient: Michigan Department of Agriculture
Project Officer: Edward Klappenbach (312-353-1378)

Technical Advisor: Bruce Wilkinson (312-886-6002)

The Michigan Department of Agriculture has established a state wide program aimed at the removal and proper disposal of unwanted or unusable pesticides. The objective of this grant is to continue the establishment of permanent clean sweep collection sites which will provide a location with dedicated collection, storage, and disposal functions to service the needs of the Lake Michigan and Lake Superior watershed and both urban and rural participants. The net result of each clean sweep collection site will continue to be the reduction of risk to humans, natural resources, and agricultural commodities as well as air, water, and soil contamination.

Lake Michigan, Superior, and Erie Basins

Recipient: National Wildlife Federation (NWF)
Project Officer: Elizabeth LaPlante (312-353-2694)

Under this grant, the National Wildlife Federation will help the USEPA in engaging a wide range of stakeholders and environmental groups in the implementation of the Great Lakes Binational Toxics Strategy. They will target specific Strategy substances, especially mercury, for reduction actions and activities. They will continue there work in hospital and the medical sector in mercury/dioxins reductions.

In addition, NWF will help outreach the strategy to their constituents, other states, industries and others.

Lake Erie Basin

Recipient: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
Project Officer: Edward Klappenbach

This project is to prevent mercury pollution in the State of Pennsylvania. Its objectives are to educate members of the public about specific ways that they can reduce use or recycle mercury. It will also promote pollution prevention partnerships through distribution of information, site visits, workshops, and recognition programs.

Basin-wide

Recipient: Council of Great Lakes Industry
Project Officer: Elizabeth LaPlante (312-353-2694)

A USEPA grant was given to the Council of Great Lakes Industries for the purpose helping to implement the Great Lakes Binational Toxics Strategy. The Strategy, signed between the U.S. and Canada on April 7, 1997, calls for the reduction and virtual elimination of selected persistent, toxic substances in the Great Lakes Basin.

CGLI is outreaching to various affected industries about the substance and provisions of the Strategy and targeting specific substances for reduction actions. CGLI will produce outreach materials, newsletters and reports detailing progress to date on potential reduction actions.

Recipient: Great Lakes United
Project Officer: Elizabeth LaPlante (312-353-2694)

GLU was awarded a USEPA/GLNPO pollution prevention grant to help USEPA implement the Binational Toxics Strategy. Specifically, GLU was tasked with outreaching to their vast number of grass roots environmental organizations on the provisions of the Strategy, helping to suggest actions that will lead to reductions and attending critical stakeholder and governments meetings on the Strategy process and substance.

HABITAT PROTECTION/RESTORATION

Summaries of Projects Awarded for Habitat Restoration and Protection 1996

Due to a budget impasse, the FY96 grant assistance award process was different from previous years. No guidance document soliciting new preproposals was published. The projects receiving this year's funding resulted either from (i) submissions from existing grantees for enhancements (which did not significantly expand the project's scope) to projects which had previously been subjected to GLNPO's competitive review process or (ii) unsolicited proposals offering unique ideas. The GLNPO Ecological Protection and Restoration Team reviewed the new proposals based on project urgency, enhancement of original work, and/or new and unique ideas.

Lake Superior Basin

Bad River/Kakagon Watershed Management Project Coordinator (GL985001-02-0: $40,184)

Recipient: Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
Project Officer: Karen Rodriguez (312-353-2690)

The goals of the Watershed Program Coordinator are: to educate the Tribe and the watershed public about ecosystem protection actions being taken by the Tribal Natural Resources Department, and to coordinate with other resource agencies in the watershed to protect the entire ecosystem.

Recipient: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Project Officer: Richard Greenwood

This project will include: strengthening bi-national and inter-agency involvement in ecosystem-based planning in the Lake Superior Watershed; increasing the involvement of citizens in local resource management decision-making and activities; facilitating the implementation of projects to identify, protect, and restore sites of important habitat.

Recipient: Fond Du Lac Reservation
Project Officer: Richard Greenwood

This project continued the tasks of collecting river and lake wild rice and seeding new areas of the St. Louis River. Fish enclosures are being placed in key areas on the river to determine affect on the new wild rice stands.

Lake Michigan Basin

Recipient: The Nature Conservancy, Illinois
Project Officer: Karen Rodriguez (312-353-2690)

A Chicago Wilderness Recovery Plan will be developed with full involvement of the Chicago Wilderness 50+ member organizations. It will provide the framework for public understanding and for action by the organizations working to protect and restore the biodiversity of the greater Chicago region to a sustainable condition. The plan will build upon the biodiversity atlas presently being prepared with EPA support. It will include a short introduction and history of the biodiversity in the metropolitan region, a vision of ecological recovery, indicators that can be used to identify conditions and measurable results, overall analysis of major issues in terms of both present conditions and the stressors causing degradation, challenges confronting the region and ways of dealing with them, and major action steps needed.

Recipient: National Biological Service
Project Officer: Karen Rodriguez (312-353-2690)

This project is providing a scientific basis for restoration of savannas and conservation of the Karner blue butterfly and other savanna biodiversity in southern Lake Michigan.

Recipient: The Nature Conservancy, Illinois
Project Officer: Karen Rodriguez (312-353-2690)

This project continues the work of the Mighty Acorns in Southeast Chicago. Over the course of the one-year project period, teachers in new schools will be trained in Mighty Acorns outdoor education program techniques and teachers already participating in the program will be able to expand their skills by attending workshops. It is expected several hundred students from the southeast side will participate in the program as a result of this project.

Lake Ontario Basin

Recipient: Cornell University
Project Officer: Robert Beltran (312-353-0826)

The project will organize and hold a workshop of local community leaders, governmental agencies, non-government organizations, including The Ontario Dunes Coalition and the public, to inform the community of the need and rationale for steps already underway, and to coordinate actions and explore new directions in preserving and restoring the eastern Lake Ontario coastal dunes ecosystem.

Recipient: The Nature Conservancy of Central and Western New York
Project Officer: Robert Beltran (312-353-0826)

This project will build on the original Sandy Pond grant and transfer methods to the adjacent El Dorado Beach preserve. It was acquired by TNC to protect the shoreline and dunes, a stopover for migrating shorebirds. The community of private landowners will be engaged in this conservation initiative. This is the most important ecological megasite in eastern Lake Ontario.

Lake Erie Basin

Recipient: Maumee Valley Resource Conservation & Development Council
Project Officer: Roger Nanney

This grant will demonstrate how construction and management of wetlands coupled with subirrigation can be economically profitable for farmers, thus stimulating the adoption of wetlands and reducing adverse impacts of agricultural runoff in the Maumee River Basin. Constructed wetlands are being linked with water supply reservoirs for corn and soybean production using subirrigation. Agricultural runoff and subsurface drainage will recharge the constructed wetland seasonally. This project ultimately will help farmers, environmental groups, farm groups, natural resources conservation and environmental protection agencies, and agricultural industry personnel learn how wetlands can be used together to increase farm incomes and improve the environment.

Summaries of Projects Awarded for Habitat Restoration and Protection 1997

Basin-wide

Recipient: Great Lakes United
Project Officer: Richard Greenwood (312-886-3853)

This project will build upon a baseline program conducted in 1994 through 1996 by the Long Point Bird Observatory in Ontario. Spatial and temporal comparisons of marsh bird and amphibian populations in AOCs versus other marshes both on a local and basinwide scale will provide an indication of the success of habitat rehabilitation activities in individual AOCs and an ongoing measure of the health of the marshes and wildlife communities on local and regional scales. At least 1750 stations will be surveyed for marsh birds and amphibians throughout the basin. Information is collected by about 500 trained volunteers using an established protocol. An analysis of work conducted in 1995-96 will be conducted, data from 1997 will be compiled, field manuals and data forms distributed, field work conducted, and results produced and distributed via newsletter and Internet. A final report will be submitted to the binational Advisory Committee. The results will be the indication of the health of wetlands and wildlife across the basin, and an indication of the success of habitat rehabilitation activities in individual AOCs.

Lake Michigan, Superior, Huron, and Erie Basins

Recipient: Michigan Association of Conservation Districts
Project Officer: Roger Nanney

This three year project will stimulate the growth, marketing, and distribution of a wide variety of local plant genotypes through Michigan's Conservation District's Earth Enhancement Catalogs. Stewardship of public and private property will be encouraged by providing landowners one-on-one technical assistance and distributing plant materials. The result will be the greater ability of conservation districts to provide information on biodiversity to their clients, thus enabling landowners to see the value in restoring formerly degraded ecosystems.

Lake Michigan, Erie, and Huron Basins

Recipient: The Nature Conservancy, Great Lakes Program
Project Officer: Karen Rodriguez (312-353-2690)

The project will involve ecoregional prioritization in the Maumee Lake Plain and Northern Great Lakes. The objectives are to develop clear objectives and recommendations for conservation of natural communities and vulnerable species at a regional level, identify a portfolio of conservation sites within ecologically defined local areas, and prepare a summary report.

Lake Erie Basin

Recipient: Presque Isle Partnership
Project Officer: Roger Nanney

The purpose of this project is to develop a comprehensive plan for dealing with invasive species such as Phragmites, reed canary grass, Japanese bush honeysuckle, purple loosestrife, and hybrid cattail. Vegetative maps will detail threatened habitats and their associated species as well as control measures. The result will be a healthier Presque Isle State Park after the elimination of invasive vegetation.

Recipient: Metropolitan Park District of the Toledo Area
Project Officer: Richard Greenwood

This two-year restoration project will restore up to 250 acres of oak savanna within the 4000-acre Oak Openings Preserve Metropark in Toledo. Activities will be selective cutting and treating of non-indigenous species, prescribed burning, seed gathering and seed planting. Baseline community plots will measure the success of the cutting, burning and planting. The result will be sites suitable for the release of the Karner blue butterfly, extirpated in the area since 1989. A combination of restoration activities for local volunteers and teacher training will utilize restoration sites to demonstrate the role individuals play in restoration and encourage stewardship for natural communities.

Recipient: USGS Great Lakes Science Center
Project Officer: Duane Heaton (312-886-6399)

This project will evaluate the results of a wetland restoration effort in which management methods for restoring hydrologic connections between diked wetlands and the lakes are being developed. This assessment will provide the information needed to evaluate the results of the project and make any required adjustments. The ability to manage this diked wetland is important for numerous fish and invertebrate species, including a native clam population of 22 species. The results will lead to improved habitat for fish and invertebrates, an increase in emergent and submersed vegetation, and information of restoration of native clams in Great Lakes wetlands.

Recipient: Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Division
Project Officer: Duane Heaton (312-886-6399)

Restoration of three State-owned lakeplain prairie and oak savanna sites activities and public education of the diversity, rarity, and uniqueness of the lakeplain ecosystem will be conducted without GLNPO funding. The GLNPO-funded portion of the project consists of writing and implementing an inventory and monitoring plan for the collection of baseline data on the plants and insects at three State-owned lakeplain prairie and oak savanna restoration sites. The inventory and monitoring work is an integral part of the overall restoration project, as it is essential for evaluating the long-term success of restoration efforts and making future management decisions regarding continued restoration work.

As background, only 0.6 percent of Michigan's original lakeplain prairie and oak savanna communities remain. These communities are considered globally imperiled, with lakeplain wet-mesic prairie to be critically imperiled. Lakeplain communities harbor nineteen species (eleven plants, seven animals) which are State-endangered or threatened, and eight (five plants, three animals) more of special concern. The Federally-threatened Eastern prairie fringed orchid is of particular concern.

Lake Superior Basin

Recipient: Northland College
Project Officer: Karen Rodriguez (312-353-2690)

This two year project will engage work study students, volunteers, and internship crews in conifer (white cedar, hemlock, and white pine) planting and enclosure-building. Five methods of conifer regeneration will be tested at sites across the Chequamegon region. As a small pilot study, enclosures will be built to assess deer browse damage to conifers. The result will be the establishment of a tree planting program and assessment of success as part of Northland's regular curricular activities.

Recipient: Grand Portage Reservation Tribal Council
Project Officer: Karen Rodriguez (312-353-2690)

This project will assess the reasons for the loss of the coaster brook trout and formulate a management plan to restore fish to natural levels. Areas of habitat will be quantified to determine the extent of habitat in the Grand Portage area. After delineation as habitat, these areas will be monitored and legally protected from degradation. The results will be no further loss of coaster brook trout and an increase in understanding of impacts to the species.

Recipient: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Project Officer: John Schneider (312-886-0880)

This project will restore high priority ecological components to the Sugarloaf Cove site, a unique Lake Superior peat-based coastal wetland. A long range site plan will be developed. The hydrology will be restored pending investigation of the subsurface hydrologic conditions. Long term goals and targets for wetland composition and structure of the wetland will be established along with methodologies for future condition. A pilot first phase will serve as a methodological test area followed by the process of restoration of the larger site. Structures will be removed and road corridors restored to native plant communities.

Lake Michigan Basin

Recipient: The Nature Conservancy, Northwest Indiana Office
Project Officer: Stacey Greendlinger

This two year project will fill information gaps with a targeted inventory of potential habitat sites, develop an updated ownership list, conduct an overall assessment of undeveloped or underdeveloped properties including brownfields and rights-of-ways, identify and analyze current and potential stressors to target areas, develop a conservation plan for biodiversity, and identify strategies to restore the ecological structure and function of degraded areas in this AOC. Pilot restoration projects will be identified and implemented. The result will be an improvement in the ecological health of the AOC and a collaboration of many partners who will steward the area's natural resources.

Recipient: United States Geological Survey
Project Officer: Kent Fuller

This project will assess substrate particle size, percentage of streamflow that is groundwater, channel geomorphology, water quality, and available food resources in extant mussel beds in the Cedar Creek, Fish Creek, and West Branch sub-basins of the St. Joseph River. A fact sheet that highlights important habitat and water quality characteristics necessary for the conservation of freshwater mussel biodiversity will be developed. The result of this project will be to advance our understanding of freshwater mussel habitat and water quality characteristics, and a template of preferred conditions so that restoration efforts can be guided by sound scientific understanding.

Recipient: Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
Project Officer: Michael Russ (312-886-4013)

This project will establish a biological corridor appropriate for the sustainability and migration of the federally endangered Karner blue butterfly. Monitoring transects will be established within designated restoration areas to determine woody species densities, canopy cover, and herbaceous species composition. Exotic and woody plant invasions will be reduced through manual removal and prescribed burning. Plantings of native species will ensure a rich native understory. Elementary school classes and park personnel and volunteers will assist in the restoration. The results will be a sustainable Karner blue corridor and an increase in biodiversity through the removal of exotics and the restoration of native prairie and savanna habitat.

Recipient: The Nature Conservancy, Illinois Office
Project Officer: Karen Rodriguez (312-353-2690)

The project will address the need for public support of ecological restoration of natural areas, particularly education and outreach about these issues to communities that traditionally do not receive stewardship education programs. This project will strengthen and expand the program within the Southeast Chicago and Northwest Indiana region. New schools, teachers, community members and volunteers will be recruited to guide children in small group field experiences. Students will explore natural areas and help focus student learning with stewardship activities such as seed collecting and planting, exotic weed removal, and brush cutting.

Recipient: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Project Officer: Karen Rodriguez (312-353-2690)

This is an expansion of the successful Northern Pike Habitat Protection and Restoration Project completed in 1996. This grant will restore critical northern pike wetland spawning and rearing habitat within the western shore of the Green Bay coastal zone as identified in Phase 1. This project is in line with the fish community objectives for Green Bay. Success of this project will be quantitatively measured allowing the knowledge gained to be applied in similar systems across the northern pike species extent. The project and budget periods are from 10/1/97 to 9/30/99.

Recipient: Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Project Officer: Kent Fuller

The project will demonstrate the feasibility of restoring sand mined land to a natural condition supporting high quality native plant communities. The grant will be awarded to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, State Park Stewardship Program. Sand mining is coming to a close on land that is within Grand Mere State Park and which will become part of it under the terms of litigation. State law requires rehabilitation of mined land, but not to levels that approach the very high quality habitats found in the park.

The habitat to be restored includes a rare "wet-panne" community associated with Great Lakes sand dune ecosystems. This will be accomplished by shaping the mined land and restoring native plants to provide for this unusual form of wetland. It will demonstrate both the ecological feasibility and the feasibility of cooperation between private industry and government at the state, federal and local levels. Demonstration of both technical and cost effective aspects can provide the basis for strengthening both restoration practices and state law.

Recipient: Corporation for OpenLands (CorLands)
Project Officer: Kent Fuller

The Burnham Greenway is a corridor of four remnant natural prairie areas identified by the Illinois Natural Areas Survey and linked by a vacated ConRail railroad right of way which is in the final stages of acquisition by a consortium of local governments. The corridor is in the heavily developed Lake Calumet area of southeast Chicago. Of the four natural areas in the corridor, Calumet and Burnham prairies are being acquired by the Cook County Forest Preserve District. The Wentworth and Thornton Prairies remain to be acquired.

A major barrier to acquisition and completion of the corridor is the complex state of land titles due to the complex history of land ownership including failed housing subdivisions, which were sold, but never built. The County has not been successful in the past in dealing with the problem and it is only because CorLands/Open Lands sorted out land ownership in the Calumet and Burnham prairies that the County was willing to proceed with acquisition. The County has expressed willingness to acquire the remaining two areas if CorLands will provide a similar service for the Wentworth and Thornton Prairies. This proposal would fund development of a feasibility study to serve as a basis for acquisition of the land including analysis of title.

Lake Ontario Basin

Recipient: State University of New York College of Environmental Sciences and Forestry
Project Officer: Robert Beltran (312-353-0826)

The project seeks to obtain new information about the now poorly-understood typic and specific habitat preferences by the critical juvenile stage Lake sturgeon in the St. Lawrence River near Massena, New York. University personnel and students will collect, radiotag, release, and monitor the movements of 2-5 year-old juveniles. Preferred areas will be characterized for hydrologic, limnologic, physiographic, and biological attributes. Analysis of this information may provide important information about the food and habitat needs and preferences of Lake Sturgeon.

Recipient: The Nature Conservancy of Central and Western New York
Project Officer: Robert Beltran (312-353-0826)

The proposal incorporates three elements all related to the preservation and restoration of habitat elements and natural processes associated with the Lake Ontario plain: a) sand Transport in the Barrier Beach Ecosystem of Eastern Lake Ontario - The applicant seeks to address the issue of changes in the coastal processes affecting distribution and transport of beach sands along the barrier beaches of eastern Lake Ontario, b) restoration of Rush Oak Openings - Work with state, local, and regional partners to develop and effect a joint restoration plan to unite ownerships, and to use volunteer and paid staff to implement restoration of the relict oak savannah community, and to engage local education and outreach media to inform and involve Town residents and local school and university students, and to develop educational materials, and c) controlling the Spread of Swallowort - This project will develop new techniques for controlling the exotic pest swallowort (Vincetoxicum rossicum).

Lake Huron Basin

Recipient: Les Cheneaux Chamber of Commerce, Cedarville, MI
Project Officer: Duane Heaton (312-886-6399)

The project will support the creation of a local community-driven plan for economic development that depends on and provides for the long-term protection of the rich biological diversity of the area. The project will bring economic development expertise and a facilitated community visioning and planning process to the rural community. Ultimately, the project will result in a shared community vision for economic development and a set of action plans to begin compatible development initiatives.

Les Cheneaux is a largely undeveloped coastal community on the shore of Lake Huron. This remarkably diverse stretch of Great Lakes shoreline in the eastern upper peninsula of Michigan includes two communities and an archipelago of 36 islands. With nine globally-rare natural communities that provide habitat to eleven Federally-listed threatened or endangered species and more the 60 State-listed species, the northern shoreline of Lake Huron is an important resource to the Great Lakes basin.

MONITORING

Summaries of Projects Awarded for Monitoring 1996

Lake Michigan Basin

Recipient: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Project Officer: Paul Bertram (312-353-0153)

Under this IAG, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will collect coho salmon for contaminant analysis and will determine coho food habits as part of the LMMB. This effort will provide important information about one of the three target fish species identified in the LMMB Work Plan. The contaminant burden and diet information will subsequently be used to develop a model to describe contaminant flow through the Lake Michigan food web to coho salmon.

Recipient: National Biological Service
Project Officer: Paul Bertram (312-353-0153)

This agreement provides required biological information for the successful completion of the LMMB Study. The data obtained through this effort will be used to develop or calibrate components of a food web model for the transport of contaminants from water to the top predator fish in Lake Michigan.

This project was originally scheduled for completion by September 1996. However, an additional field year was added to the LMMB, and additional time is needed to complete the laboratory analyses and reporting requirements.

Recipient: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Project Officer: Angela Bandemehr

The purpose of this action is to authorize funding for an Interagency Agreement with the NOAA for estimation of contaminant emissions and relevant meteorological conditions for the LMMB modeling effort. These funds will enable the Atmospheric Sciences and Modeling Division of NOAA to acquire emissions model output and data products and develop a meteorological data base which will subsequently be used in water quality models contributing to the LMMB. This request has been planned and coordinated with NOAA, Region V Air and Radiation Division, and GLNPO staff.

Summaries of Projects Awarded for Monitoring 1997

Lake Michigan Basin

Recipient: USGS. Biological Resources Division, Great Lakes Science Center (Formerly National Biological Service)
Project Officer: Paul Bertram (312-353-0153)

This agreement provides required biological information for the successful completion of the LMMB. The data obtained through this effort will be used to develop or calibrate components of a food web model for the transport of contaminants from water to the top predator fish in Lake Michigan.

This project was originally scheduled for completion by September 1996. However, an additional field year was added to the LMMB, and additional time is needed to complete the laboratory analyses and reporting requirements.

Recipient: University of Michigan
Project Officer: Angela Bandemehr (312-886-6858)

This agreement will enable the University of Michigan to calculate the atmospheric loadings of mercury to Lake Michigan. This project supplements work done under another project entitled "Atmospheric Loading of Toxic Contaminants to Lake Michigan" (GL985430-01-1), which is funded with Great Waters monies.

Recipient: Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
Project Officer: Angela Bandemehr

This agreement will enable MDEQ to investigate the source of elevated levels of DDT found through atmospheric sampling conducted by the LMMB and IADN.

Recipient: Research Foundation of State University of New York
Project Officer: Marc Tuchman (312-353-1369)

The purpose of this project is to conduct a multivariate statistical analysis of USEPA's Lake Michigan environmental water quality dataset which includes plankton species composition. The project will help explain how the lake's system functions by identifying key links between biology, chemistry, and physical properties. The results will improve our ability to identify changes to the Lake Michigan ecosystem and understand the factors that drive them.

Recipient: State University of New York at Buffalo
Project Officer: Angela Bandemehr

This agreement will allow SUNY Buffalo to continue a project to estimate atmospheric loadings of PCBs, Atrazine and trans-Nonachlor in support of the LMMB. The grantee will also provide information necessary to determine the spatial and temporal variation of loadings across the Lake.

This project runs parallel with the project entitled "Atmospheric Loadings of PCBs, t-Nonachlor and Atrazine, Nitrogen and Phosphorus to Lake Michigan Waters".

Recipient: State University of New York at Buffalo
Project Officer: Angela Bandemehr

The purpose of this action is to authorize funding required for second year work under a Cooperative Agreement with the State University of New York at Buffalo (SUNY Buffalo) for the proposal entitled "Atmospheric Loadings of PCBs, t-Nonachlor and Atrazine, Nitrogen and Phosphorus to Lake Michigan Waters". This agreement will allow SUNY Buffalo to continue a project to estimate atmospheric loadings of PCBs, Atrazine and trans-Nonachlor in support of the LMMB. The grantee will also provide information necessary to determine the spatial and temporal variation of loadings across the Lake.

This project supplements another grant, which addresses the same project entitled "Atmospheric Loadings of PCBs, t-Nonachlor and Atrazine, Nitrogen and Phosphorus to Lake Michigan".

Lake Superior Basin

Recipient: Environment Canada
Project Officer: Glenn Warren (312-886-2405)

The Project will provide data necessary to understanding the bioaccumulation of toxaphene in aquatic food chains. It will develop an understanding of toxaphene bioaccumulation and the toxaphene signature in Lakes impacted by both tributary and atmospheric sources and those impacted solely by atmospheric deposition. In addition the project will provide analysis of split samples collected by Canadian Agencies and US programs, as well as allow incorporation of data generated through this project with atmospheric and water column data being collected under USEPA-Office of Research and Development funding by the University of Minnesota and Indiana University.

Recipient: University of Michigan
Project Officer: Angela Bandemehr

This agreement will enable the University of Michigan to investigate the transport and deposition of mercury to the Great Lakes Region. Mercury concentrations in rain, vapor and particulate will be measured at the Sleeping Bear Dunes site of the IADN and the LMMB and several other sites in the State of Michigan.

Basin-wide

Recipient: Indiana University
Project Officer: Angela Bandemehr

This agreement will provide funds for the operation and maintenance of the IADN. The IADN is a binational network made up of 5 sites, one per Great Lake. Twice a month atmospheric samples of rain, vapor, and particles are taken and analyzed for pesticides and other organics. The results are used to calculated loadings of these substances to the Great Lakes.

STATE CAPACITY

Summaries of Projects Awarded for State Capacity 1996

Recipient: Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA)
Project Officer: Michael Russ (312-886-4013)

GLNPO provided funding under Assistance Agreement GL995647-01-0 pursuant to an application submitted by OEPA under GLNPO's 1994 Great Lakes Guidance. The position funded by this third year of assistance will support cross-program planning and coordination (internal and external to OEPA). The funded position will also continue to serve as the GLNPO contact on overall Great Lakes issues.

Recipient: Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
Project Officer: Mark Elster (312-886-3857)

This program allows the MDEQ to better coordinate its management of and input into the variety of Great Lakes federal programmatic activities occurring in the Basin. Such activities currently include: Lakewide Management Plans, Remedial Action Plans, the USEPA Great Lakes Five Year Strategy, comments on the Great Lakes Initiative, state participation on the Binational Executive Committee, data integration, and Great Lakes research activities.

Summaries of Projects Awarded for State Capacity 1997

State Capacity projects discontinued due to lack of funding.

EXOTIC SPECIES

Summaries of Projects Awarded for Exotic Species Activities 1996

None awarded due to FY96 Federal Budget Impasse.

Summaries of Projects Awarded for Exotic Species Activities 1997

Basin-wide

Recipient: The Regents of the University of Michigan
Project Officer: Duane Heaton (312-886-6399)

The project has seven specific objectives: (1) to monitor and document the spread of round gobies in southern Lake Michigan, (2) to determine the potential for round and tubenose gobies to colonize new areas and determine what biotic or abiotic factors might limit their dispersal, (3) to document the impact of round and tubenose gobies on nest-guarding fish species, (4) to conduct extensive studies of two new inland riverine sites of round goby discoveries, (5) to provide the public with readily accessible information on minimizing the spread of exotic species, (6) to provide the public with educational materials aiding in the identification of round gobies, and (7) to involve the public in monitoring the spread of round gobies and other exotic species.

Recipient: The Ohio State University Research Foundation
Project Officer: Duane Heaton (312-886-6399)

In general, this project will investigate the effects on contaminant cycling that have occurred as a result of the introduction of two exotic species, zebra mussels and round gobies. More specifically, this project will (1) explore whether smallmouth bass have higher dioxin loads in areas infested with zebra mussels and round gobies than in the same areas prior to invasion of the gobies; (2) quantify PCBs (as total arochlors and congener-specific values) in zebra mussels, round gobies, and smallmouth bass; (3) evaluate the biomarkers of contaminants on key hormonal titres and EROD in smallmouth bass and compare the values with historical data; (4) determine toxicity equivalents (TEQs) for PCBs and dioxins based on alterations in reproductive physiology in smallmouth bass; (5) compare the results of TEQs based on total arochlors analysis with those obtained from individual congener analysis; and (6) combine the data obtained from this study with results of an ongoing laboratory study of contaminant transfer through a zebra mussel-smallmouth food chain in order to construct a model which describes steady-state concentrations of contaminants.

Recipient: Great Lakes Commission
Project Officer: Marc Tuchman (312-353-1369)

The goal of this project is to enhance the health of the Great Lakes ecosystem through design and implementation of timely and effective prevention and control measures for aquatic nuisance species. Objectives include developing and implementing an Action Plan for Aquatic Nuisance Species Prevention and Control, and enhancing the efficiency, effectiveness and profile of ongoing prevention and control activities. These objectives will all contribute to ecosystem protection and restoration.

Lake Michigan Basin

Recipient: Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin
Project Officer: Mark Elster (312-886-3857)

The project funded by the assistance has the goal of preventing the migration of exotic fish species into reservation streams when dams are removed. While these dams have reduced the value of the reservation's fisheries, they have also protected the remaining resource from invasion by exotic species. The Tribe proposes to implement a monitoring program on the waters below the dams to aid in management decisions. Funds under this grant will pay for training of Tribal staff and associated equipment to implement and maintain the monitoring program.

Lake Huron Basin

Recipient: State University of New York at Buffalo
Project Officer: Duane Heaton (312-886-6399)

This project will address two very significant questions regarding the response of Saginaw Bay to the invasion of zebra mussels. First the project will assess the relative impact of phosphorus loading controls and the zebra mussel invasion on the production dynamics and biomass of the food chain (phytoplankton) in Saginaw Bay. Second, the project will clarify some uncertainties about the impact of zebra mussels on the cycling of PCBs and other hydrophobic organic chemicals in the lake and on their bioaccumulation.

OTHER

Summaries of Projects Awarded for Other 1996

Basin-wide

Recipient: Purdue University
Project Officer: Karen Reshkin (312-353-6353)

This is an environmental education and outreach project to develop two interactive software programs on the environmental quality of the Great Lakes, using a virtual tour of the R/V Lake Guardian as the organizational theme. These will be the first EPA/Purdue software programs aimed specifically at students in middle school and at students in grades 9-12. The programs will teach the ecology of the Great Lakes and the steps that are being taken to monitor their environmental condition. They will cover how environmental data is gathered and pollution levels monitored, sound scientific sampling procedures, and community-based efforts to protect the Lakes, such as the River Watch programs.

Lake Michigan and Superior Basins

Recipient: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Project Officer: Jan Pels

The project will entail sampling and analysis of water, phytoplankton, and zooplankton from the Whitefish Bay, Green Bay, Fox River, and Tahquomenon River.

Lake Michigan Basin

Recipient: City of Chicago-Department of Water
Project Officer: Duane Heaton (312-886-6399)

The City of Chicago is developing a chemical feed system that will pre-chlorinate raw water entering the water system through the Wm. E. Dever and Carter H. Harrison cribs. This prechlorination will kill zebra mussels currently infesting and prevent future infestation of elements of the water intake system at the cribs and in the tunnels carrying raw water form the cribs to the Jardine Water Purification Plant. The chemical feed system will carry chlorine from the purification plant to the cribs through piping to be laid inside the raw water tunnel. This grant project provides funding for the installation of concrete forms and reinforcing steel required to modify the Wm. E. Dever Crib to permit installation of zebra mussel abatement equipment. This demonstration grant and associated activities is intended to demonstrate that zebra mussel infestation will be eliminated by chlorinating the raw water supply as it enters the water system through the crib intakes. Funding was provided through a congressional earmark.

Summaries of Projects Awarded for Other 1997

Basin-wide

Recipient: MDEQ B Office of the Great Lakes
Project Officer: Mark Elster (312-886-3857)

MDEQ's Office of the Great Lakes will work with GLNPO staff to gather information regarding progress being made to protect and restore the Great Lakes Ecosystem, including efforts to reduce toxics, protect human and wildlife health, and protect and restore vital Great Lakes habitats. Acting in close concert with GLNPO, MDEQ staff will solicit information from the wide community of public and private Great Lakes agencies, gather it in a usable form, and work with GLNPO staff to help produce reports to fulfill GLNPO's information dissemination requirements to the public, the International Joint Commission, Congress, and others.

Recipient: International Joint Commission
Project Officer: Edward Klappenbach

The goal of this project is to prepare program materials of a public nature regarding environmental progress and future issues concerning the Great Lakes, to develop and implement a program event for the public purpose of reviewing and recognizing past progress under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement and identifying future directions of mutual interest, to prepare mailing lists and other materials to notify potential invitees of the program event, to provide logistical support for the program event, and to create follow-up activities for the program event.

Recipient: University of Illinois, Illinois State Water Survey
Project Officer: Edward Klappenbach

Technical Advisor: Greg Carlson (312-886-0124)

The goal of this project is to develop and test methods of restoring wetland habitats using physical/chemical remediation processes and hydroperiod management to improve water quality and restore wetland plant communities. The physical/chemical remediation will focus on controlling the deposition of contaminated sediments and hydroperiod management will be developed to improve water quality and sustain a healthy wetland ecosystem through vegetation management. As an element of the restoration activity, methods will be developed to assess restoration success based on both direct toxicity and ecosystem measures.

International

Recipient: Environment Canada
Project Officer: Kent Fuller

This grant was provided to assist in preparation for, and conduct of, U.S./Canadian State of the Lakes Ecosystem Conferences (SOLECs) and related reporting. The SOLEC conferences are held in even number years, to provide information to decision makers and the general public through out the Great Lakes basin with information to support decisions which minimize adverse impact on the ecosystem and maximize protection for it. Specific project activities include preparation of the report AThe State of the Great Lakes, 1997" and preparations for the 1998 SOLEC Conference.

Recipient: Environment Canada
Project Officer: Edward Klappenbach

The progress reporting will develop a retrospective report describing 25 years of progress regarding the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement and reflecting the contributions of both the US and Canada for dissemination to the public. This grant will also provide funding for the development of materials, analyses, stakeholder involvement vehicles, and reports for meetings pursuant to the Great Lakes Binational Toxics Strategy. In addition, this grant will enable the development of binational meetings regarding environmental issues of a bilateral nature as well as the development of binational outreach and education materials concerning the Great Lakes.