Mayors express concern to Obama, Harper over Great Lakes water levels

Nearly 100 mayors of cities located near the Great Lakes are urging President Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper to help fight historically low water levels in the lakes.

The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative sent a letter last week to the president and prime minister. David Ullrich,the organization's executive director, said he hopes the letter will make the issue a priority for the American and Canadian government

"Our hope is that more attention can be given by the executive branch in the United States and through the ministries in Canada to make this a higher priority," Ullrich said."

The letter specifically mentioned Georgian Bay in Lake Huron as one location that needs "prompt action."

"More affirmative action is needed now to deal with the critical issues that are affecting shipping, recreational boating, harbors, water intakes, shorelines, wetlands and a whole variety of other things," Ullrich said.

The Army Corps of Engineers says levels in Lakes Michigan and Huron are at the lowest levels ever recorded.

-- Joseph Lichterman, Michigan Radio Newsroom