Turn off accessible linear format and redisplay the web page in it's original layout. Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement
Quick Facts
- Beginning in 1972
- Continuing in 1978
- The 1987 Protocol
- The Key Players
- The Biennial Report
Beginning in 1972
On April 15, 1972, Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and President Richard Nixon met to sign the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. This milestone event committed Canada and the United States to control pollution in the Great Lakes and cleaning up waste waters from industries and communities. The major issue at that time was phosphorus over-enrichment.
Continuing in 1978
Six years later, in 1978, the two Governments were back at the table. A new Agreement was signed and the two countries pledged their determination "to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the waters of the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem." The countries specifically committed themselves to rid the Great Lakes of persistent toxic substances -- substances that linger in the environment for a long time and can potentially poison food sources for both animals and people.
The 1987 Protocol
Nine years later, came the signing of the 1987 Protocol. Emphasis was placed on the importance of human and aquatic ecosystem health. The Protocol introduced provisions to develop and implement Remedial Action Plans (RAPs) and Lakewide Management Plans (LaMPs). RAPs focus on the 43 (now 42) geographic Areas of Concern, take an ecosystem approach, and draw upon broad local community involvement. LaMPs are designed to improve the environmental quality of the open waters of each of the Great Lakes, with a particular focus on Critical Pollutants.
In addition, the 1987 Protocol introduced other new annexes focusing on non-point contaminant sources, contaminated sediment, airborne toxic substances, contaminated groundwater, and associated research and development.
The Governments
Under the terms of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, the two federal Governments are expected to implement programs and report on their progress in restoring, preserving, and protecting the Great Lakes. The International Joint Commission (IJC) has been charged with reviewing and evaluating these programs and progress. In Canada, Environment Canada leads delivery on the Agreement, while the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency spearheads the United States efforts. Both work in partnership with provincial, state, and municipal governments. Canadian federal-provincial commitments are coordinated through the Canada-Ontario Agreement Respecting the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem. This Agreement was first signed in 1971 and most recently renewed in 2002.
The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement is an example for the world. The international community regards it as a successful model for interjurisdictional cooperation towards restoring environmental quality and preventing future degradation, thereby ensuring long-term protection of the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem.
The International Joint Commission
The International Joint Commission (IJC) was established under The Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909. The Commission is an independent international organization charged with preventing and resolving disputes over the use of waters shared by the United States and Canada. In addition, when requested by the two federal governments, the Commission provides advice on matters affecting the shared environment. Under the Canada-United States Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, the Commission assesses progress to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the waters of the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem. The Commission also investigates and reports on transboundary air and water pollution, persistent toxic substances, exotic species, and other matters of common concern along the international boundary. Under the Boundary Waters Treaty, the Commission approves projects, such as dams or water diversions, that affect water levels and flows across the boundary.
The Great Lakes Water Quality Board
The Great Lakes Water Quality Board is the principal advisor to the International Joint Commission on all matters related to the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. The 20 member Board is made up of senior program managers from the federal, state, and provincial regulatory and resource management programs. Each must serve in his/her personal and professional capacity and not represent the agency that employs them. The Water Quality Board addresses numerous issues pertaining to the Agreement. Recent focus includes: contaminant sources and pathways, contaminated sediment, and the future of Remedial Action Plans for Areas of Concern.
The Great Lakes Science Advisory Board
The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement established the Great Lakes Science Advisory Board to be the scientific advisor to the International Joint Commission and the Water Quality Board. Through an integrative approach, including the natural, physical, and social sciences, the principal roles of the Science Advisory Board encompasses three areas:
- assessing and advising on Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem health, including the scientific underpinnings of public policy;
- reviewing and evaluating science policy and programs related to the Parties' implementation of the Agreement; and
- identifying and evaluating emerging issues and future priorities.
The 18 member Science Advisory Board is appointed by the Commission on the basis of experience and expertise. Members are expected to provide independent scientific advice under the Agreement. They are recruited from industry, academia, government and non-government organizations -- crossing a variety of disciplines.
The Council of Great Lakes Research Managers
The Council of Great Lakes Research Managers was established to enhance the ability of the Commission's Great Lakes Science Advisory Board to provide leadership, guidance, and evaluation of Great Lakes research programs. The Council compiles a research inventory identifying research needs and coordinates research projects. The 20 members cover a geographic area that extends to and includes the St. Lawrence River. Membership includes individuals managing and coordinating research programs of federal, state, and provincial governments in the United States and Canada, and representatives of private institutions.
The International Air Quality Advisory Board
In 1966, the Governments of Canada and the United States asked the International Joint Commission to monitor air quality along the entire Canada-United States boundary and, as appropriate, draw air pollution problems to their attention. The Commission subsequently established the International Air Quality Advisory Board. The role of the Board is to identify and provide advice on air pollution issues with transboundary implications. An initial action was to define the airshed of the boundary. This was done by analyzing the potential for air contaminants originating in one country to travel by prevailing winds across the border and impact the other country. Pollutants entering the Great Lakes from the air are of particular concern and constitute part of the ecosystem approach espoused in the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. The 10 Board members possess expertise in various aspects of air pollution effects and control. Appointed by the Commission, they serve in their personal and professional capacities. The role of the Board is entirely advisory.
The Biennial Report
Under the Canada-United States Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, the International Joint Commission is required to monitor and assess progress made pursuant to the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, in particular the adequacy of actions by the two federal governments, the province of Ontario, and the eight Great Lakes states. The Commission fulfills this responsibility in part by reporting every two years. The 1st Biennial Report was released in 1981 and the most recent, the 12th Biennial Report, in 2004.
