Michigan Technological University this week plans to dedicate a $25 million research facility that was created to address pressing Great Lakes issues.

Despite low water conditions in some of its walleye rearing ponds, the Inter-tribal Fisheries and Assessment Program (ITFAP) was able to raise more than 760,000 walleye fingerlings for stocking in local waters. Overall, ITFAP’s analysis shows a significant contribution of stocked walleye in ITFAP’s traditional stocking areas, from 33 percent in St. Marys River to 90 percent in Grand Traverse Bay of Lake Michigan.

Crews are re-evaluating the salvage plan for the 110-foot commercial dredge, Arthur J, that sank 7-19-12 in Lake Huron. The dredge sank to the bottom of the lake about 7 p.m., said U.S. Coast Guard spokesman Lt. Justin Westmiller. Initially about the dredge's bow or 25% of the vessel was sticking out of the water, he said.

What is the quality of the water? What insects and aquatic worms live there? What’s on the bottom, rock or sediment? What plants live in the water and on the stream banks?

Starting the week of July 23rd, 2012, you’ll be able to get real-time temperature and wave conditions on Lake Michigan a few miles off Holland. Several local companies and groups have pulled together to get a weather buoy tested this season. They are waiting to hear about a grant to make the water-borne information center a permanent spot in the Big Lake.

Here are five things to know about the project:

The Fish and Wildlife Service proposes to add one refuge to the list of areas open for hunting and/or sport fishing, close one refuge to hunt activities, close one hunt opportunity at one refuge, and increase the hunting activities available at 16 other refuges, along with pertinent refuge-specific regulations on other refuges that pertain to migratory game bird hunting, upland game hunting, big game hunting, and sport fishing for the 2012-2013 season. Detroit River International will be closed to sportfishing. 

They will accept comments received or postmarked on or before August 10, 2012.

Michigan and Ohio DNRs planning follow-up actions with partner agencies

Federal and state wildlife officials working in conjunction with academic researchers announced six water samples taken from Sandusky and north Maumee bays tested positive for the presence of Asian carp environmental DNA in Michigan and Ohio waters.

The positive samples were among 417 taken from Lake Erie in August 2011, and more than 2,000 samples taken from the Great Lakes Basin since 2010. The Lake Erie batch was recently analyzed and test results were confirmed by eDNA researchers this week. The six positive samples represent less than 1.5 percent of the Lake Erie samples.

Up to $3 million in state funding has been allocated to combat harmful algae infestation in Lake Erie, with several hundred thousand dollars committed to starting a program this month to help farmers reduce hazardous runoff during rainstorms

Visitors to Lake Huron this summer may have a unique opportunity to glimpse science in action. During July and September, scientists on board a half dozen research vessels will crisscross Thunder Bay, Saginaw Bay, and the open waters of Lake Huron, collecting samples of sediment, water, mussels, microscopic organisms, and fish. 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking nominations from a diverse range of qualified candidates to be considered for appointment as members of its Great Lakes Advisory Board (GLAB). The GLAB will provide advice and recommendations to the EPA Administrator, in her capacity as Chair of the Great Lakes Interagency Task Force, on matters pertaining to Great Lakes restoration and protection. Vacancies are expected to be filled by September 2012. Sources in addition to this Federal Register Notice may be used in the solicitation of nominees.