|
WELCOME
IJC recommends a new Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement for the 21st Century
In a special report, released October 24, the International Joint Commission of Canada and the United States recommends that the two federal governments replace the current Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement with a shorter and more action-oriented document. The Commission urges that the new agreement be signed by the President and Prime Minister, and endorsed by the U.S. Congress and the Canadian Parliament. It also urges that it include a commitment to the early development of a Binational Action Plan with achievable goals and timelines, measures for evaluating performance, and provisions for monitoring and reporting for greater accountability when it comes to the cleanup of the waters of the Great Lakes
Earlier this year, the national governments launched a comprehensive review of the operation and effectiveness of the Agreement, which has guided the cleanup and restoration of the Great Lakes by providing the vital framework for binational cooperation, consultation and action since 1972. The Agreement has not been revised nor updated since 1987. More.
International Joint Commission recommends improved notification, monitoring, reporting and prevention of spills in the Great Lakes Basin
[Mt. Clemens, Michigan – October 10] – The International Joint Commission today urged the all levels of government in the United States and Canada to coordinate and improve their efforts to protect the public from spills in the Great Lakes. In its Report on Spills in the Great Lakes Basin with a Special Focus on the St. Clair-Detroit River Corridor, released today, the Commission found there is need for further improvements in monitoring, notification, data collection, information sharing and spill prevention.
"Better monitoring, sharing of information and coordinated notification are the keys to protecting drinking water coming from the Great Lakes and safeguarding public health," said Dennis Schornack, U.S. co-chair of the Commission.
"While recognizing that the available data is incomplete and not comparable, the Commission found generally the number of spills appears to be declining," said the Rt. Honorable Herb Gray, Canadian co-Chair of the Commission, "but more can be done to assure the public that their drinking water drawn from the Great Lakes is safe." More.
International Joint Commission's Priorities 2003-2005: Priorities and Progress under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement – Now Available
In consultation with its Great Lakes Water Quality Board, Great Lakes Science Advisory Board, International Air Quality Advisory Board, and Council of Great Lakes Research Managers, and also soliciting the views and opinions of basin residents, the Commission establishes priorities for study on a biennial cycle. The studies enhance understanding and offer potential resolution to critical issues faced by the Parties and by citizens of the Great Lakes basin. The Commission’s investigations are not a substitute for the work of the Parties, but rather take advantage of its unique independent and binational role under the Agreement.
The International Joint Commission's Priorities 2003-2005 Priorities and Progress under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement is now available for viewing and download. It is also available in French. The Adobe Reader can be downloaded here.
Review of the Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Orders of Approval
The International Joint Commission is now considering the future of water levels and flows regulation for the Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River system. You may view the Final Report of the International Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Study Board or view the Public Comment on the Final Report.
Public consultations by the IJC on the governments' review of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement
The IJC thanks the more than 4000 individuals and organizations who took part in this process. The report synthesizing all the comments it received has now been released.
|
