From Ohio News Now --
Environmentalists notified shipping companies Thursday of a lawsuit accusing them of violating the federal Clean Water Act by releasing invasive species into the Great Lakes.
It will seek an order barring the ships from discharging ballast water into the lakes unless they get federal or state permits and install sterilization equipment.
Invasive species "are killing the Great Lakes," Andy Buchsbaum, director of the wildlife federation's Great Lakes office in Ann Arbor, told reporters during a conference call.
Scientists have documented at least 183 aquatic exotic species and another 124 terrestrial exotics within the basin, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reported this month. More...
Invasive exotic species, such as Zebra Mussels, Spiny Water Flea, Round Goby, Lamprey, etc... have already had a detrimental effect on Lake Erie as a whole.
The Zebra Mussel and Gobies have affected the Walleye & Smallmouth Bass populations. Gobies eat Smallmouth eggs and the Zebra Mussels have altered the clarity of lake water to the point it has changed Schooling Walleye patterns. The encrusting nature of the Zebra Mussel has also wreaked havoc in waste water treatment plants.
Ballast discharge is the main culprit for infecting Lake Erie with the deadly virus, viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS). Harmless to people, this virus can wipe out an already weak Walleye and Perch population and our growing Steelhead population.
Now here is a case where I hope there is an activist judge!
Thanks for posting this, I would have missed it, you'd think being here in Toledo it would be something the media would pick up but I had not seen anything on it.
ReplyDeleteLisa Renee, your welcome.
ReplyDeleteI am very passionate about saving one of Ohio's greatest assets. Although a conservative and a card carrying republican, I feel the issue of saving the Great Lakes should transcend party lines.
I try my best to watch for anything about the Great Lakes, especially Lake Erie. As I see you too are interested in these issues, I will make sure to forward any info I get. If you don't mind, please do the same.
Personally, I feel Cleveland is missing the boat on utilizing Lake Erie to our advantage.
While the lake has improved vastly from its' near death, there is still great room for improvement. Stopping invasive exotic species is a good first step. Though the next imminent threat is the Asiam Grass Carp. Sorry, but I feel we can only delay their arrival.
Anyway, here is a true life scenario from last winter....
Break of dawn, pulling into Rocky River Reservation. Snow blankets the area, couple foolish joggers and fisherman. Overall very quite and serene.
Pulling on my waders, I think - "Darn, it is cold." But deep down I know the chance of hooking up with a Steelhead is worth it.
As the snow crunches under my waders, I am nearing the edge of the woods. Each step takes you closer to another world.
Walking through the woods you catch a glimpse of a deer. You hear the gurggling (sic) of the river. You slowly are descending into another place. With the scenery and your mind, it can be anywhere.
You reach the river.... steam coming off water, light fog settling down as the sun begins to awake the squirrels to scamper around for buried nuts. It is only a matter of time before one sees you and you hear the little guy start barking out their little alarm.
You look around, only one guy couple hundred yards upstream. Checking out the flow and clairty. Not bad, only a little ice build up on the edges, middle is clear.
Sure hope nothing ruins this morning! Thermos & PD to read, after I catch & release the first fish of the day.
Take out the fly rod, tie on a wooly bugger #10, pinch on few split shot, strip out some line and your ready.
Or you thought.... need another sip of coffee. Holy Cr**!! this water is cold.
You scan the water and catch a shadow - you plan the approach.
Few false casts and your fly drops in close, darn to much drag, current is pulling it away! You reposition and drift one right into his nose.....
BAM!!! He hits and explodes out of the water, freezing water spraying everywhere. Think fast, keep it tight but give him line.
Stripping line, he makes a run down stream, playing the current and rocks against you. Gotta get below him and make him fight upstream.
Finally you get back what he stripped. Now he's had shaking and turned sideways against the current trying to out will you.
Guy downstream comes up, helps watch the fish and lend a hand with the net. Perfect timing, the fish feels tired now, me too!
Only about 10' feet of line to go, I start turning him into my new pals net, he Jumps and makes another run sending water everywhere.
We finally land him.... (didn't need the net - good) about 7lbs / 32" give or take. Unhooked we let him catch his breath and watch him take off for another day.
Up on the bank I thank my new fishing parner and pour us some much needed warm coffee from my thermos.
Making little talk about the Browns, the fishing and the famous Cleveland question - eastside or west side? He tells me he is visiting from NJ and heard about the Steelhead fishing. Said he was visiting family, flies out in the morning and wanted to give it a shot. So we agree to stick it out awhile longer, hoping I can now help him land one.
Wading back in, can't feel the cold water now, I'm still pumped from the fish or have frost bite and am getting hypothermia. Ah, who cares the fish are biting!
New buddy asks, "Hey King, where is this nasty smell coming from?" and then "How come the river is getting silty all of a sudden, it isn't even raining?"
Come on pal, fishing is over today. I will buy you breakfast and tell you about the glycol the use for de-icing at the airport and how the politicians & EPA let Hopkins Airport pipe in Abram's Creek for the new runaway you will be using.
Yes, the same runway project being investigated by the FBI for corruption in minority contracts.
We can talk about de-icing technology that is less harmful to the waterways. It was offered to the airport for FREE, but they refused.
If you come back in the spring, you only have to deal with extra silt and sediment from the piping in of the creek.