Beach warnings that lasted longer than six weeks due to bacterial contamination went up in Minnesota in 2005, according to an annual report released in August 2006 by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). Total advisory days for events lasting six consecutive weeks or less remained unchanged between 2004 and 2005 at 143 days. The number of events lasting longer than six consecutive weeks doubled from two in 2004 to four in 2005. There were no beach closings. All advisory days in 2005 were due to monitoring that revealed elevated bacteria levels.

For the full report, a summary of Minnesota findings, and to take action, click here.

Help the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency communicate Lake Superior beach closings to the public. Take the Lake Superior Beach survey.

The federal Beach Environmental Assessment and Coastal Water Act, an amendment to the Clean Water Act, has provided funding since 2003 to the local MPCA to monitor 34 public beaches on Lake Superior. This program is set up to monitor water quality at public beaches and improve how to notify the public about health risks at beaches. Since the program has begun, there have been several "No Water Contact" advisories in Duluth and on the North Shore. The way in which this information is communicated to citizens needs to be evaluated. Clean Water Action Northeast Minnesota Organizer, Rosie Loeffler-Kemp, is a member of the Beach Program Guidance Team. Contact her at rkemp@cleanwater.org or (218)722-8557.

Do you want information about which beaches are safe to swim in? For more information on current Lake Superior beach monitoring and advisories:

Surf Minnesota's Beaches
www.MNBeaches.org
Hotline: (218) 725-7724
Info: 1(800) 657-3864

Please pass on to family and friends going up to Northeast Minnesota.

The Great Lakes are unique and extraordinary resources that provide drinking water, food, recreation and transportation to over 30 million people. In December 2005, the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration produced a strategic action plan for protecting and restoring the Great Lakes. The Regional Collaboration - a partnership of federal, state, and local government officials and program managers, scientists, and interested private stakeholders - focused their attention on addressing the most critical threats to the Lakes. The 1,500 participants developed recommendations for eight key areas: aquatic invasive species, habitat protection, coastal health, Areas of Concern and contaminated sediment, non-point source pollution, toxic pollutants, scientific research and monitoring, and sustainable development.

As its name implies, the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Implementation Act makes many of the necessary legislative changes to implement many of the policy recommendations made by the Collaboration strategy.

It seeks $20 billion over a 5 year period to fund projects that implement the Action Plan to Restore and protect the Great Lakes

Specifically, the Act will provide funding to:

• Prevent and control aquatic invasive species;
• Create and restore wetlands and other fish and wildlife habitat;
• Reduce municipal sewage overflows & provide states and cities the necessary resources to upgrade their water infrastructure and stop sewage from contaminating beaches
• Clean up toxic sediments in Great Lakes Areas of Concern, including the St. Louis River;
• Reduce mercury pollution;

YOU CAN HELP LOCALLY BY:

• Passing a city, county or township resolution in support of the Great Lakes Restoration Bill
• Contacting Congressman Oberstar(8thCD - MN)to co-sponsor HR 5100 -
• Host a presentation on the Great Lakes Restoration efforts
• Letters to the Editors in your local papers supporting Great Lakes Restoration Bill and your local concerns
• Sign up to receive the Great Lakes Restoration email newsletter, “Restore the Lakes.” The monthly email newsletter will keep you informed about Great Lakes Restoration and what you can do to help. Check out the first issue of "Restore the Lakes" and sign up HERE.

Contact Rosie in Duluth at rkemp@cleanwater.org to help you take these actions

www.restorethelakes.org

Rosie Loeffler-Kemp
NE MN Organizer
394 Lake Ave. S. # 312
Duluth, MN 55802