Good news:
Here's what a strong, effective "mandate" can do to reduce pollution. Michigan's 1970s eras actions on phosphorus dramatically improved the health of Lake Erie -- although that is now in some jeopardy. (Dishwashing detergents can still legally contain 8.7% phosphorus; and high-phosphorus lawn fertilizers are beginning to make up for the reduction in P that resulted from laundry detergent controls.)
Two statewide phosphorus control initiatives were also implemented. In 1971, Michigan enacted a phosphorus limitation of 8.7% by weight on all cleaning agents. Michigan’s phosphorus detergent ban was implemented in 1977, restricting the phosphorus content of household laundry detergents to no greater than 0.5% by weight.
The combined influence of these phosphorus control efforts can be seen in Figure 2a & b below. The result was greater than a 90% reduction in phosphorus concentration and loading from the Detroit Wastewater Treatment Plant. Similar reductions occurred in other wastewater treatment plants, however, because of the Detroit plant’s 700 million gallon per day flow, the impact on Lake Erie was substantial. The Detroit Wastewater Treatment Plant would become the single largest reason for the reversal of cultural eutrophication of Lake Erie during the 1970s and 1980s. Lake Erie responded with dramatic improvements in water quality.
http://www.epa.gov/med/grosseile_site/indicators/dwwtp.html
Not so good news:
The ribbon will soon be cut on a brand-new, $9 million electric barrier built to keep the Asian carp from swimming up the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal and infesting Lake Michigan, but Great Lakes lawmakers this week failed to persuade their fellow members in Congress to pay to turn it on.
http://www.jsonline.com/news/gen/nov05/369463.asp
Interesting but old "news":
WASHINGTON, DC—In an effort to make America's natural wonders available to all citizens, the Department of the Interior announced Monday the creation of a $2 million National Parks Website. Jack Holm, designer of the website, believes nature lovers will find it superior to the real parks in every way. "You will experience the same grand mountains, lush grass and wide variety of fauna, without ever leaving your home," he said. "And when you spot an animal on your cyber-tour, like a majestic elk, you can click on the elk and access information about its habitat and diet. Elks in the wild do not offer this option."
http://www.theonion.com/content/node/39123
Posted by Dave at November 10, 2005 01:02 PM