Congratulations to Our Freshwater Heroes! Celebration Recording and Newsletter Available
We were honored to celebrate with everyone who joined us for the 20th Annual Freshwater Heroes Celebration this Wednesday! Each year, Freshwater Future honors the people, organizations, and communities throughout the Great Lakes Region committed to protecting our region’s precious freshwater resources. This year, we celebrated a phenomenal group of advocates – if you missed the event, you can hear their remarkable stories by watching the recording or reading our newsletter!
Congratulations to Seneca Lake Guardian, Sister Pat Lupo, Keep Water Affordable, Rachel Havrelock, Peggy Berry, Paula Maccabee, Gwen Winston, Donna McDuffie, Superior Rivers Watershed Association, and Lindsay Telfer – We appreciate all of your work to protect the people and waters of the Great Lakes, you are our heroes!
Campbell Sued by Advocates, Federal Government Over Lake Erie Pollution
Last month, our partners at Lake Erie Waterkeeper along with Environment Ohio sued Campbell due to pollution from its canning facility reaching Lake Erie. Since 2018, this factory has released millions of gallons of wastewater into the Maumee River, which flows into the smallest Great Lake. These releases have included high levels of phosphorus pollution, a known source of harmful algal blooms (HABs). While each of the Great Lakes experience HABs, they are of particular concern for the western Lake Erie basin. Lawsuits from the Department of Justice (DOJ) and advocacy organizations want permanent changes mandated by the court as well as fines and penalties. To learn more about HABs and what you can do to protect the Great Lakes from nutrient pollution join us at the Great Lakes HABs conference in Toledo, May 1-2.
Join Us at the Great Lakes Harmful Algae Conference – Registration is Open!
Harmful algal blooms are increasing across the Great Lakes region, causing health impacts from breathing in the toxins or touching the impacted waters, and in some cases, HABs have shut down water systems completely. Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations’ (CAFOs) manure is a leading contributor to the excess nutrients causing these blooms. You’re invited to join Lake Erie Waterkeeper and Freshwater Future to network on this issue, learn from experts, tour CAFO sites and more at this conference in Toledo, OH, May 1-2, 2024. Virtual attendance is also available. – register and find out more here!
Event Schedule:
Bus Tour of CAFO sites – Wednesday, May 1, 2 pm ET
Dinner Boat Cruise – Wednesday, May 1, 5 pm ET
Conference – Wednesday, May 2, 8:30 am – 3 pm ET
Important Public Hearing on Mineral Rights Request for over 10,000 Acres in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula – Your Voice Needed!
Approximately 10,000 acres of metallic minerals lease rights in Baraga, Dickinson, Iron, Marquette and Menominee counties of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula have been requested by a “natural resource company”. Many sensitive areas, such as wetlands and trout streams, are at risk if the lease request is approved. Read more about the project from our partners at Mining Action Group. Your voice can make a difference! Please register and participate in the public meeting to express your views. Let’s work together to ensure the conservation and protection of Michigan’s natural resources for current and future generations.
Public Meeting Details:
Date and Time: Wednesday, April 17
Session 1: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. EDT
Session 2: 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. EDT
Virtual Meeting Registration Link: Join Here *registration required to give comment*
Phone Dial-In: 1-248-509-0316, Access code: 209-806-381#
