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Northern Michigan News

21 Oct 2022

New Lock at the Soo: Unlocking the Great Lakes

(Image: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District works on unlocking the Great Lakes by providing a much-needed resiliency at the Soo Locks with the construction of the New Lock at the Soo. The New Lock at the Soo will be the same dimensions as the Poe Lock, 1,200 feet long, 110 feet wide and 30 feet deep.Often called the “linchpin” of the Great Lakes navigation system, the Soo Locks are located in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan between the upper Peninsula of Michigan and the Canadian province of Ontario. The Soo Locks enable bulk carrier vessels to safely bypass the swift-moving St.

23 Mar 2022

St. Lawrence Seaway Kicks Off 2022 Navigation Season

© Joe / Adobe Stock

The St. Lawrence Seaway kicked off its 2022 navigation season on Tuesday, with international freighters able to arrive at the Montreal – Lake Ontario section of the binational St. Lawrence Seaway.“We’re thrilled to start the 2022 navigation season,” said Craig Middlebrook, Deputy Administrator of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation. “This year we’re confident that the St. Lawrence Seaway will continue to be a major driver of economic development while offering…

30 Oct 2014

Two Great Lakes Toxic Hotspots Restored

Construction crew removes contaminated sediment from White Lake. (Photo: EPA)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced that two U.S. Areas of Concern, Deer Lake in the Lake Superior basin and White Lake in the Lake Michigan basin, have been removed from the binational list of toxic hotspots that were targeted for cleanup in the U.S.-Canada Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. After decades during which only one U.S. Area of Concern was delisted, federal agencies have accelerated cleanup actions during the past five years by using Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding.

24 Feb 2014

Marine Pollution Control Announces Promotions

Clockwise from top left: Dr. Manik S. Sardessai, Walter J. Putman, Jr., Timothy P. Schallhorn and Catherine Gibbons

Dr. Manik S. Sardessai has been promoted to Senior Vice President. Dr. Sardessai, who earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Wayne State University, has worked for MPC since 1995in a variety of positions and will continue in his leadership role for technical and regulatory matters. He has distinguished himself internationally as an authority on the handling of hazardous materials. Walter J. Putman, Jr., has been promoted to Vice President and General Manager. Putman, who has a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix…

12 Jun 2013

Great Lakes Ban on Offshore Wind Development Opposed

State Republican Reps. from districts in northern Michigan, introduced legislation banning research in or production of wind energy in the Great Lakes sharing a border with Michigan. The measure would prohibit the leasing for the placement, construction, operation or maintenance of any structure to research wind energy development, any wind turbine, or any equipment or structure related to a wind turbine, reports UPI. According to UI, Policy Director for the Michigan Environmental Council James Clift told Michigan Public Radio he considered it was too soon to limit offshore wind. UPI cite a 2010 report from the Michigan Great Lakes Wind Council that informed 35 percent of Michigan's Great Lakes are considered favorable for wind energy development. Source: UPI

20 Mar 2013

Great Lakes 2013 Shipping Preparations Begin

Cutter in Poe Lock: Photo credit USCG

The Coast Guard Cutter 'Mackinaw' breaks ice in Western Lake Superior in preparation for the upcoming shipping season. The Mackinaw (WLBB-30) is the only U.S. heavy ice breaking resource assigned to the Great Lakes and in addition to heavy icebreaking other missions of the crew include servicing buoys, search and rescue, law enforcement, and the ability to deploy an oil skimming system to respond to oil spill situations. In the photo the Mackinaw is seen passing through the Poe Lock…

26 Jan 2012

Coast Guard Foundation Establishes New Fund

Ross E. Roeder Shipmate Fund Improves Morale and Welfare for Active Duty Coast Guard Members. The Coast Guard Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to the education, welfare and morale of all Coast Guard members and their families, announced the launch of the Ross E. Roeder Shipmate Fund. Established to benefit the morale, education and wellness of Coast Guard units and their families in Northern Michigan, the fund also thanks and honors the Foundation’s retiring board chairman, Ross E. Roeder. Chairman of the Board for the Coast Guard Foundation since 2005, Mr. Roeder retired at the end of 2011. "On behalf of the Board of Trustees and the staff of the Coast Guard Foundation…

16 Dec 2008

Largest Potential Lakes Project in Generation

Congress is considering the possible funding of the construction of a new lock at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, a half-billion dollar undertaking that would rank as the largest navigation infrastructure project on the Great Lakes in a generation. Construction of a new lock at “the Soo” would bring up to 250 jobs annually to northern Michigan and continue for a decade. Estimated cost of the lock is about $475m. One economist has likened the economic impact of lock construction to opening an automobile plant in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Funding could come either through a massive stimulus bill or appropriations bills that will be considered by Congress as early as January. The new lock has been in the planning stage for two decades, but now is ready to move forward once funding is secured.