For More Information:

Victoria Harris, UW Sea Grant Water Quality Specialist, (920) 465-2795

Editors Note:

Luncheon speakers will offer overviews of Great Lakes issues 11:50 a.m.-1:20 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 3. They and others will be available for media interviews at 1:30 p.m. Members of the media attending this and other selected sessions need not register. Those who wish to attend the entire conference, including breakfasts and luncheons, are requested to register. For more information, please see www.aqua.wisc.edu/SOLM .

 

JOINT CONFERENCE TO FOCUS ON STATE OF LAKE MICHIGAN , BEACHES

 

Green Bay, Wis. – (Oct. 27, 2005) – Rotting algae and bacteria fouling Great Lakes beaches, Lake Michigan and Green Bay water quality, fluctuating fisheries, and tourism are some of the many issues that will draw scientists, resource managers, planners, policy makers and interested citizens to Green Bay next week.

 

They will be attending the fourth biennial “Lake Michigan: State of the Lake” conference and the fifth annual meeting of the Great Lakes Beach Association Nov. 2-3 at the KI Convention Center, 333 Main St., Green Bay.

 

Other topics include contaminated sediment cleanup, habitat protection and restoration, sustainable surface and ground waters, and beach monitoring.

 

“Lake Michigan is an outstanding natural resource of global significance,” said Victoria Harris, University of Wisconsin Sea Grant water quality specialist and principal organizer of the conference. “It is the fourth largest fresh water lake on the planet. It has more fresh water sand dunes than any other lake in the world and many of the Great Lakes ’ remaining coastal wetlands. But the Great Lakes are under stress and need our attention now. This meeting reports on the latest findings and recommended actions for Lake Michigan and Great Lakes beaches.”

 

The conference is sponsored by the Lake Michigan Forum, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Great Lakes Beach Association, UW Sea Grant Institute, and Wisconsin Coastal Management Program.

 

The public is invited to attend. More information about the joint conference and registration is available at www.aqua.wisc.edu/SOLM .

 

Public Meeting on Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement

In a related event, the U.S.-Canadian International Joint Commission will hold a public meeting at 7:00 p.m., Tues., Nov. 1, at the KI Convention Center to gather opinions about the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, how it has worked so far, and whether it should be changed. Information on this meeting can also be found at www.aqua.wisc.edu/SOLM

 

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Conceived in 1966, Sea Grant is a national network of 30 university-based programs of research, outreach, and education for enhancing the practical use and conservation of coastal, ocean and Great Lakes resources to create a sustainable economy and environment. The National Sea Grant Network is a partnership of participating coastal states, private industry, and the National Sea Grant College Program, National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce.

 

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all audio, images and video used with permission

last updated 27 October 2005 Karl

http://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/communications/news_releases/2005/SOLM.html