Great Lakes Protectionism Gaining Steam

Invasive species have become a hot topic not only in the midwest but worldwide these days. International travel has boosted economies and made it easier to enjoy foreign outdoor environments previously shut off, but it has posed some new dilemmas as well. It appears the issues facing the natural ecosystems we all enjoy are no longer the rantings of raving environmental extremists, but the dealings of state politicians and everyday outdoors people.

Killer Bees, Zebra Mussels, Emerald Ash Borers are all examples of invasive species that have recently hit the headlines. They disrupt entire ecosystems and even the regular lives of men and women. Invasive Species are defined by InvasiveSpecies.gov as "1) non-native (or alien) to the ecosystem under consideration and 2) whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health." If you think that all this has little to do with you, think twice because the site goes on to tell us that people are the primary cause of their introduction.

This certainly isn't a new problem however. People have been introducing foreign plants, animals and diseases as long as they have been traveling. The State of Michigan's web site says that "Over 160 species have been introduced into the Great Lakes basin since the 1800s." It wasn't until 1990 that the federal government passed The Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 which enacted a task force to monitor and control the spread of invasive species. By that time, much damage had already been done.

With the mounting threat of species that could potentially choke out other life in our Great Lakes, recent headlines are being made. Michigan legislators have jumped aboard a bi-partisan law that would require any ship docking in a Michigan port to clean its ballast waters and tanks. The checkpoint would be in the St. Lawrence Seaway and would be required of any vessel coming into the Great Lakes or St. Lawrence from outside. The final determination made by Stephen Chester, Director of the Michigan DEQ was made in mid April 2005. It states that while no one method of cleansing these vessels is appropriate for all occasions, all vessels will be cleaned. It is a bold and expensive determination indeed, but one that needed to be made.

One invasive form of algae is now dominating Mediterranean shorelines wherever it takes hold. It has been deemed the killer algae, because it is highly toxic to nearly all animals. It also starves other native algae for sunlight, therefore decimating most native sea life. It is Caulerpa Taxifolia. It spreads not by sexual reproduction but by fragmentation, usually the result of ships moving from port to port. It is a prime example of what invasive plants can do. To read more on it see the online documents at Salzburg University, Austria.

One of the current threats to the Great Lakes right now is a plant called Hydrilla. Hydrilla has caused much havoc to waterways in the south already. While Hydrilla has not yet been verified in Michigan it seems inevitable. A concerted effort is being funded by federal, state, tribal and business organizations to fund organizations like Michigan Seagrant to look after local waters. Scientists are asking all boaters, anglers and outdoor hobbyists to look for the plant in Michigan waterways. There is even a card which is available to everyone to help identify the species and send it in for laboratory analysis. Read more on it by going to the Michigan Seagrant web site on aquatic invasive species.

Being an environmentalist in Michigan seems to be a popular thing now. That's a good thing. Booneman asks that you keep our waterways in the headlines and on politicians minds. By knowing your surroundings you can do your part to help keep our ecosystem balanced and to keep out invasive species as well.