The Obama administration has 2.2 billion to spend on cleaning up the Great Lakes, says a news story today from Michigan. The problem with the lakes: over a half century of pollution, then more recently algae, affecting fishing, recreation, and generally future water needs. The clean up plan will enable fish from the lakes to actually be eaten! Wildlife will thrive again in lakeside habitats and tourists will
enjoy activites on the lake. Imagine-a veritable Garden of Eden compared to Dallas's Mountain Creek Lake.
So, lake clean up is possible. The cost, while great, sounds almost reasonable to me given the size of the Great Lakes and extent of damage. (I am not yet 100% clear on whether each "great lake" will be cleaned, but that's what the article said...)
Apparently government has known or agreed for twenty years that clean up needed to happen, and now money is finally appropriated. Why now? The reasons cited do not include public pressure or health concerns, but rather economic problems. The fishing and tourism industries might be lost! Carp and algae will take over the lakes.
So much for those of us who fear getting cancer...our imaginings are not opening the government treasury. But, carp! Dude, this is serious.
If you have just bought a new house on the Grand Prairie side of Mt Creek Lake and have figured out your groundwater is ruined and the lake is enjoying seventy years of "natural attenuation" while you sunbathe in the backyard...Don't let anyone tell you a large lake can't be cleaned up. People in Michigan who are out shopping for boats and water skis know better.
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