The recent oil spill disaster in the Gulf raises the question of whether the Great Lakes may some day face a similar situation. Although a parallel event has not yet occurred in this region, we must work hard to prevent it from taking place.
Lake Levels on BoDiscourse around the world is addressing the effects of climate change. Th is resulted in the political agreements that were reached in 1992 and 1997. Last year in Copenhagen, non-binding commitments were made by more than 20 countries to cut emissions of greenhouse gases. As concentrations of greenhouse gases rise in the atmosphere, trapping solar energy, altered climate patterns could wreak havoc on the wildlife and the economy that are part of the fabric of life in the Great Lakes region and around the world.
Lifestyle choices should be replete with simplicity, ease and good value. That feels like a smart approach. Now when it comes to boating, there is a significant conundrum associated with this choice. On the one hand, there are so many clear and compelling reasons why it is a great activity choice. It is terrific for uninterrupted family time, stress reduction, fresh air, and all the positive health and social benefits that go with being outdoors. On the other hand, there are many elements that tend to erode the overall experience.
I am an avid reader of Great Lakes Boating Magazine and I love it. You guys are very current and thorough with the news that I need to hear about the Great Lakes. I read your magazine and keep it on my boat. I’m well-aware of all of the articles and editorials that you have done on the Asian carp and I’m very concerned about my boating experience. Having to navigate among these beasts, having learned about how aggressive they are, would my boating experience ever be the same?
Andy Roth
Dolton, Ill.
I moor my boat at Burnham Harbor in Chicago and was wondering when Chicago will have an in-water boat show. This is desperately needed. Chicago hasn’t had one for two decades. An in-water boat show would fare much better than the one staged indoors in McCormick Place during the freezing month of January. An in-water boat show, in any one of the local harbors, would bring a lot of excitement and knowledge to the area boaters.
I’m told that the International Joint Commission has completed its study on the over-dredging issue with the St. Clair River. From my extensive reading on the topic in your publication and others, I can’t conclude whether I really understand whether there was an over-dredging. Is there someone responsible for this? Can we really get the truth between what has happened and what will occur in the days to come? The level of Lake Erie is getting higher. Who are we to blame? Evidently, it’s not precipitation, because that should affect the other lakes in a similar fashion.
You are to be applauded for your comments on page 9 of the April issue, concerning, "Are Boaters Irresponsible Spenders?" Obama is a man-child, neophyte president who has not only wrongly attacked the good people that are in the boat business, he has done the same thing to the city of Las Vegas and other groups. You and others need to keep on calling him out!
I do find Fred Ludens article, "Climate Change," misguided. Human-caused global warming via carbon dioxide emissions is now being shown to be a scam. I'm surprised to see that article in your magazine.
I've been informed that wind turbines may become a part of the Great Lakes. I am both an avid boater and an environmentalist. While I agree with part of the agenda, that the turbines will contribute sorely needed clean energy and jobs to the region, my concern is for the sanctuary of the water. Shouldn't this be left alone? I very much enjoy being able to see the horizon. Now, it will become more difficult to escape civilization, with the wind turbines invading the last remaining sanctuary.
The Great Lakes Boating Federation, advocacy voice for the 4.3 million boaters of the Great Lakes region, strongly opposes a federal budget proposal that would close U.S. Coast Guard helicopter stations based in Waukegan, Ill., and Muskegon, Mich. At a press conference held recently at the Shedd Aquarium, U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk from Illinois and a survivor of a boating accident both spoke out against the Coast Guard federal budget items. If passed, the budget item would raise the Coast Guard's response time from 17 minutes to one hour and 12 minutes.
A DePaul University report recently defined the potential economic consequences of closing the Chicago River Controlling Works and O'Brien locks on the Chicago Area Waterway System (CAWS). Joseph P. Schwieterman's analysis was performed due to concerns about the Asian carp's migration into the Great Lakes.
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