Epa Great Lakes National Program Office News

Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association is to present a public program featuring a range of important issues concerning the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes Symposium is a first-of-its- kind public program focusing on timely legal issues impacting the Great Lakes. Stakeholders will discuss topics ranging from the regulation of phosphorous discharged into the Great Lakes to the development of wind turbines and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. The Symposium’s panel discussion will feature noted speakers on Great Lakes topics, including Director Chris Korleski (EPA Great Lakes National Program Office), Retired Congressman Steven LaTourette, Jim Weakley (Lake Carriers’ Association), Brian Cook (Ohio EPA), and Joel Brammeier (Alliance for the Great Lakes).

First Wave/Newpark Shipbuilding, in Galveston, Texas, has had a busy spring. First, the company was awarded a contract by Diamond Offshore Drilling to install a crane and perform annual survey work on Ocean Lexington. That contract was completed in March. Next, the company won a contract from Smit Americas, Inc. for drydocking of Ocean Hercules. The vessel was drydocked on the shipyard's 7,500-ton drydock for general maintenance and conversion from a seismic vessel to a telecommunication cable laying vessel. Finally, First Wave drydocked Pride Louisiana for Pride Offshore. The rig was docked in the Galveston Ship Channel, utilizing a heavy lift barge for an annual survey. The rig will depart upon completion of the survey.