EDITORIAL: Corps hits brick wall on Little Calumet

The Little Calumet River Basin Development Commission was right to go against the Army Corps of Engineers' wishes last week in voting for a quick, $100,000 flood control project while waiting for the corps to come up with its own proposal.

Chicago River reversal nothing to be concerned about, experts say

Rumors circulating that the Chicago River may reverse itself due to low water levels in Lake Michigan are bogus, according to experts at the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Low water levels add pressure to NWI, Chicago maritime businesses

Stevedoring companies and cargo carriers in Northwest Indiana and the Chicago area may be missing business opportunities as a result of lower than expected water levels on the Mississippi River and other sections of the inland waterway system.

Gary man sees progress to get residents on projects

It may take a few months, but a Gary man hopes that recent protests at a construction site in his city leads to more Gary residents and minority subcontractors being tapped to work on government-funded projects.

As Great Lakes plummet, towns try to save harbors

ONEKAMA, Mich. (AP) — For more than a century, easy access to Lake Michigan has made Onekama a popular place for summer visitors and a refuge for boaters fleeing dangerous storms. Now the community itself needs a rescue, from slumping lake levels that threaten its precious link to open water.

Handful of residents want to back up sewer work in Gary

GARY | A small group of protesters sought to halt construction work on a sewer rehabilitation project Monday as a sign of displeasure with the lack of city residents on key construction projects.

Hobart marks start of Ash Street drainage project

HOBART | Officials held a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday to mark the start of the Ash Street drainage improvement project.

Asian carp response turns up in Lake Calumet

Scientists and commercial fishermen put electrofishing and netting efforts into "high gear" Wednesday in Lake Calumet to determine whether live Asian carp are present in the area.

Bill rider speeds timeline of invasive species study

The federal transportation bill Congress approved Friday affects how authorities will respond to the threat invasive species such as Asian carp pose to the Great Lakes.

BP to upgrade E.C. canal dock

EAST CHICAGO | A yearlong upgrade to BP North America's docks on the Indiana Harbor and Ship Canal will not interfere with federal plans to dredge the waterway, company officials said last week.

Port of Indiana – Burns Harbor shipments up 10 percent

Shipments to the Port of Indiana – Burns Harbor in Portage rose 10 percent in 2011 as cargo volumes for limestone, steel, fertilizer, coal and salt improved compared to the previous year.

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: Guard against invaders, but not at all costs

In May, I introduced readers to the issue of aquatic invasive species — specifically Asian carp. Much since has been reported, and a new report seems to create larger issues for Northwest Indiana.

East Chicago celebrates completion of new water filtration plant and tank

"This is a culmination of three administration's efforts to improve the quality of life for East Chicago families for generations to come," Mayor Anthony Copeland said this week as he, American Structure Point Inc., the Regional Development Authority, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S…

Invasive species, other issues at center of presentations for lawmakers, officials

PORTAGE | Managing Asian carp was the top agenda item Thursday during a legislative panel discussion about environmental issues facing the state.

RUN.BIKE.EAT.DRINK.DANCE AT CLEA EVENT

Some very community-minded folks in Cedar Lake thought up a first ever event for their town set for this Saturday and Sunday. It is unique in its approach to combining entertainment and awareness about an important dredging project in the works for the growing community of Cedar Lake.

Bids to be opened on bridge

PORTAGE | After nearly a decade, the bridge linking The Trails and Samuelson Estates subdivisions could be a step closer to reality.

MARK KIESLING: Use facts, not fantasies, in levee debate

It's one thing to oppose a project based on fact, but it is quite a different thing to oppose that project based on fantasy.

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: Could we all begin to act like a region?

On the national news we have seen the impact of the swollen Mississippi River on the communities through which it travels. And so we hear about Cairo, Memphis, Vicksburg and ultimately New Orleans, a city very familiar with the destruction that can be caused by excess water.

Carp committee keeps pressure on fish

CHICAGO | Federal and Illinois state officials outlined an updated action plan Monday to monitor and remove Asian carp from Chicago-area waterways that lead to Lake Michigan.

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: We must cooperate to protect Great Lakes

Lake Michigan is the crown jewel of Northwest Indiana's quality of life. It is our lifeblood -- supplying our drinking water, providing a recreational setting and supporting our economy. All of us have a responsibility to protect and preserve this natural and national treasure.