March/April 1997
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March/April 1997 |
For International Joint Commission reports, contact the Great Lakes Regional Office at (519)257-6734.
We think of water as a renewable resource that, unlike coal or oil reserves, will not be depleted. However, only one percent of Great Lakes waters are actually replenished each year. These waters are threatened by water uses that exceed renewable supply, global warming and potential major diversion schemes, according to a new report by Great Lakes United. The Fate of the Great Lakes -- Sustaining or Draining the Sweetwater Seas? examines a range of issues related to Great Lakes water quantity, including current and projected water uses, diversions into and out of the lakes, anticipated effects of climate change and the adequacy of international and domestic legal requirements to protect Great Lakes water. The report calls on governments in the Great Lakes basin to create a sustainable Great Lakes waters strategy and to reduce water consumption by 50 percent by 2005. To request a copy of the report, contact Great Lakes United, Buffalo State College, 1300 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14222. Email glu@igc.org; telephone (716)886-0142; fax (716)886-0303.
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has announced the release of a 15-minute video detailing the many activities under the Green Plan Toxic Chemicals Program in the Central and Arctic Regions. Towards a Healthy Fisheries Resource ... The Green Plan Toxic Chemicals Program Video has been created with the primary objective to provide scientific information on toxic chemicals in the aquatic environment and their effects on fish and fish habitat. The scientific data and information generated are used to conserve and protect fish, fish habitat and fisheries resources. To request a copy of the video while quantities last, or for more information on toxic chemicals, contact Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Communication Office, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, ON L7R 4A6. (905)336-6240; fax (905)336-4819; email Colleen.OMeara@c-a.dfo.dfo-mpo. x400.gc.ca.
A Property Owners Environmental Guidebook is designed to address the environmental concerns associated with real estate transactions in northern Michigan. The publication includes a section on protection of natural resources that are special to northern Michigan, a guide to prevention and discovery of environmental contamination, an explanation of what issues are addressed in existing laws and a directory of agencies and organizations which can assist property owners. The guidebook is available from the Traverse Area Association of Realtors for $.75 (US) per copy, or may be downloaded from the Internet by visiting http://www.taar.com.
The New Waterfront: A Worldwide Urban Success Story is a 224-page book with 363 illustrations, 177 in color, containing 129 case studies of recent waterfront development projects of all types occurring around the globe. Coverage ranges from cultural and environmental facilities to major mixed-use commercial projects. An introductory essay discusses underlying causes of the waterfront redevelopment phenomenon over the last 30 years and includes a bibliography and a list of informational resources. Copies are available at $79.95 (US), ISBN 0-07-007 454-2, from The Waterfront Center, 1622 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20007; Kaija Jones (202)337-0356; fax (202)625-1654.
The Terrene Institute is a not-for-profit, nonadvocacy organization, linking business with government, academia and citizens to improve the total human environment. To receive the Terrene Institute 1997 Environmental Products Catalog of books, posters, pamphlets, resource kits and more, as well the new line of Enviro-Scope models, contact the Terrene Institute, 4 Herbert Street, Alexandra, VA 22305. (703)548-5473; fax (703)-548-6299; email terrene@gnn.com; website http://www.terrene.org.
Environmental Education: Making a Difference, is the title of a new video developed by the Sea Grant Program of the University of Hawaii and the University of Southern California. The purpose of the video is to introduce educators to a new means of integrating classroom education and hands-on learning through community service. The program shows how students are empowered by learning that they can make a difference in ways such as recycling and community involvement. "Adopt A Beach School Assembly Program" is highlighted in the video suggesting how students are able to earn money for beach trips through recycling efforts, while becoming aware of the things they can do to improve the environment. To order a copy, contact USC Sea Grant Publications, University of Southern California, University Park, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0373. The cost is $2 (US). Request publication number USCSG-R-01-95.
A new publication produced by the Great Lakes Panel on Aqatic Nuisance Species, entitled Biological Invasions: Prevention and Control Efforts, outlines the threats by exotic species to U.S. waters and the response by local, state and federal agencies. A centerpiece of the full-color brochure is a U.S. map with examples of aquatic nuisance species that are particular problems around the country. Single copies are available at no cost from the Great Lakes Commission; additional copies are $1 (US) each, with a 10 percent discount on orders of 10 or more. Copies can be ordered by calling (313)665-9135; fax (313)665-4370.
The Common Ground -- Protecting Natural Resources in a Thriving Tourism Economy is a recent publication developed by the Northwest Michigan Roundtable on Tourism and Natural Resources Stewardship. The roundtable is a collaboration of 25 northwest Michigan leaders representing the tourism industry, resource management agencies, educational institutions, farming interests, environmental groups, development interests and citizens that met over a two-year period to discuss the common ground and conflicts between tourism development and protection of natural resources. The document addresses how we might avoid these conflicts in the future. The roundtable was coordinated by the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, with funding from the Frey Foundation of Grand Rapids and the Mott Foundation of Flint. To receive a free copy, or additional information on the roundtables work, contact Gail Gruenwald or Ann Baughman, Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, P.O. Box 300, Conway, MI 49722. (616)347-1181; fax (616)347-5928.
National Public Radio (NPR) offers teachers kits geared toward middle school students on environmental education. Water, Wetlands, & Weather, and Water: Thirsting for Tomorrow are the titles of two of their new releases. At $32.95 (US), each kit includes a teachers guide full of up-to-date information, activities for inside and outside that develop observation and research skills, resource lists of books, articles, films and organizations, and audio cassette tapes. For more information on these or any of the NPR Teachers Kits, contact Michaelle Scanlon, NPR Outreach, 635 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001-3753. (301)570-6277; fax (301)570-6729; website http://www.NPR.org/ .
Revised: April 14, 1997
Maintained by Kevin McGunagle,
mcgunaglek@ijc.wincom.net