For Friday, March 22, 2024 (World Water Day)

1 – Environmental groups are pushing for efforts to protect the Great Lakes and drinking water from microplastics.

An event was planned for Friday, March 22, in Chicago, by the Alliance for the Great Lakes, Ocean Conservancy, Illinois Environmental Council and Loyola University scientists. 

March 22 is designated as World Water Day by the United Nations.

The groups say synthetic microfibers are a concern. Microfibers are shed or fragmented from plastic-based textiles and clothing.

In many cases, microfibers shed in the laundry escape wastewater treatment plants and flow into waterways. The ingestion of microfibers has been shown to have negative health effects on animals. 

To address this issue, Illinois lawmakers have introduced a package of bills to require microfiber filtration systems on new washing machines and establish rebates for the purchase of filters.  

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2 – A nonprofit is looking for Coast Watchers and Piping Plover Monitors.

Huron Pines, based in Gaylord, says those interested can attend an April 10 online training session. 

The information session will cover community science opportunities. 

Coast Watchers monitor sections of the Lake Huron shoreline weekly from May to October to gather data and help with management decisions.

Piping Plovers are endangered shorebirds in the Great Lakes. Piping Plover Monitors look for potential nesting sites during migration, from the first week of May to the last week of June.  

Information on how to register for the online training is available at HuronPines.org. 

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3 – Great Lakes water levels are expected to be lower than last year for the upcoming boating and beach season. 

The latest forecast from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Detroit says that from March to August, Lake Huron water levels are projected to be 1 to 6 inches below last year’s levels.

The Corps says preliminary estimates indicate that all of the Great Lakes experienced less than 1 inch of precipitation in February, which is well below average. 

According to provisional data, each lake basin had one of its Top 10 driest Februarys for precipitation in more than a century. 

– Mr. Great Lakes is heard at 6:45 and 8:45 Friday mornings on Delta College Public Radio 90.1 FM in University Center, Michigan, near Bay City (listen live). Follow @jeffkart on Twitter #MrGreatLakes

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