Treating The Great Lakes Like A Garbage Can

Great Lakes' ships routinely wash their decks with high-powered hoses, sending dirt and pollutants washed overboard.

New rules restricting that practice are under review.

Those rules should also apply to coal-fired ships that regularly dump their boilers' ash overboard: coal ash carries many toxins and contaminants.

Remember, 40 million people drink Great Lakes water. The Great Lakes provide fish, recreation, employment and spiritual renewal.

Think of the Great Lakes as living organisms that should be respected. not as free garbage dumps for toxic waste.