Sunsets. A new beach house at Cleveland's Edgewater Beach. And Dan Egan’s book, “The Death and Life of the Great Lakes.”
These were a few of your favorite things last year, according to the results of a Listening Project survey by WCPN/ideastream.
When asked about the biggest stories of 2017, this was the overwhelming response: algae blooms. A distant second was the threat to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, the $300 million federal program that funds a wide range of projects.
Concerns for 2018 were very similar -- algae blooms again ranked first. Other key concerns include Asian carp, pollution, and climate change.
Federal policies and the impact of President Trump and EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt were also mentioned several times.
But there’s a lot to look forward to this year, respondents said.
Several people mentioned the mid-term elections in November. “Voting in candidates that will work to protect the Great Lakes and our states’ stake in them,” one survey response reads.
Several also mentioned recreation in the region, including kayaking, biking, boating and fishing. And there’s the Lake Erie wind turbine project, which plans to be operational next year.
For a few, 2018 also means a new year to visit favorite spots along the Great Lakes. Kelleys Island, Edgewater Park, Porcupine Mountains, Cooper Harbor, and Keweenaw all received a mention.