Trump’s budget cuts could devastate Great Lakes restoration

By LAINA STEBBINS
Capital News Service
LANSING — Eliminating the $300 million Great Lakes Restoration Initiative could lead to devastating natural and economic effects on coastal Michigan communities, defenders of the program said. President Donald Trump has proposed killing the initiative, along with the Michigan Sea Grant and nearly a third of the funding for the Environmental Protection Agency. The possible elimination of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has compelled Michigan lawmakers, environmentalists, scientists and business owners to make a case for the program. “It has benefited Muskegon greatly, hugely. We’ve received millions in dollars in federal funding to clean up White Lake and Muskegon Lake,” said Bob Lukens, Muskegon County community development director.

Scientists worry about lake herring crash, say new restrictions may help

By SAM CORDEN
Capital News Service
LANSING — Scientists have been worried about the lake herring population in Lake Superior recently. In fact, last year they warned it could be headed towards a collapse. Lake Superior is the only Great Lake that still has a significant population of herring – or cisco as they’re commonly called. This fall, new rules protecting herring took effect in Wisconsin and Minnesota and things appear more stable. But there may still be a big problem lying beneath the surface.

New Soo Lock could prevent trillion-dollar crisis

By KAREN HOPPER USHER
Capital News Service
LANSING — The decades-long effort to build a new lock connecting Lakes Superior and Huron at Sault Ste. Marie is getting renewed state attention. Advocates hope it will also be taken up by President-elect Donald Trump because of his infrastructure campaign pledge. But it will be at least another year before the next step, a cost-benefit analysis by the Army Corps of Engineers. “It’s so important,” said Linda Hoath, executive director of the Sault Area Visitor’s Convention and Bureau.

Help butterflies: plant native prairie plants

By BECKY WILDT
Capital News Service

LANSING — In flower pots or 100-acre lots, native prairie plants are increasingly important to butterflies and wildlife because in the wild, the plants are threatened by invasive species and human development. Only .01 percent of native prairie has been left unaltered in Michigan, according to Jennifer Howell, stewardship manager at Pierce Cedar Creek Institute, a nature center near Hastings. The rest has been developed or turned into farmland. But now planting prairies is increasingly popular. “The institute is a hands-on destination for schools and other visitors to learn about prairies,” Howell said.