The Great Lakes ecosystem is in chaos. The solution, say policymakers and scientists: ban all oceangoing cargo ships.
"Biological anarchy in the Great Lakes has a growing chorus of scientists and policymakers exploring a radical, simple solution: ban all oceangoing cargo ships."
But shipping-industry officials warn that the economic impact of such a drastic move could hurt Midwest industries that rely on foreign goods.
"The problem starts when nonnative freshwater organisms are sucked into ships that take on ballast water in Europe for stability.Even when the freshwater is exchanged for saltwater in the ocean -- a requirement for Great Lakes-bound ships since 1993 -- many of the critters survive in the muck at the bottom of the tanks. When ships dump ballast water into the Great Lakes, some organisms are spewed out and gain a foothold."
Thanks to Governing News
Read the full story: Some ships could lose lake access
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
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Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
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Housing is the top priority of Seattle’s sole new councilmember
Jenks campaigned on building 1,000 new units of affordable housing.
New tax cuts may slash $1.5 billion in funding for Miami transit, public parks
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The three states have spent years under Republican or divided control.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
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Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
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Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
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University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
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