Great Lakes Environmental Sensitivity Atlases and Digital Database

The Great Lakes Environmental Sensitivity Atlases are publications that have been developed to aid agencies and companies prepare and respond to spills of oil and other hazardous materials in the Great Lakes. The Atlases are broken down into seven sub-regions, providing in-depth information on:

• Lake Superior
• Lake Huron/Georgian Bay
• Lake Ontario
• St. Marys River
• St. Lawrence River
• St. Clair River/Detroit River/Lake St. Clair
• Lake Erie/Niagara River/Welland Canal

In addition, preliminary work is underway to create a James Bay/Hudson Bay Environmental Sensitivity Atlas.

The Atlas design allows readers to learn about various features and habitats along the Canadian shorelines of each lake and both the Canadian and United States shorelines of the rivers. The Atlases have been designed to:

• Provide vital information in a direct manner to allow a more efficient and effective response to spills;
• Present geomorphological, biological, cultural, human-use information (including special status areas), as well as countermeasures on and near the shoreline;
• Rank shoreline habitats to indicate their relative sensitivities to oil impact considering their cleanup potential;
• Assist decision makers by identifying resources at risk, allowing them to quickly assign priorities for protection measures and cleanup; and
• Allow for improved response management at the time of a spill.

Special Features

Introduction

Provides information regarding the Project Background, Nature of the Data, Atlas Design and Function, as well as Sensitivities of Biological and Human-Use Resources to spills of oil and other hazardous materials.

Notes

Supplementary facts and information that denote site specific observations or concerns for the reader. Each note corresponds to a particular point on the map

Legend

Special removable legend that can be placed along side of symbols that appear on the maps, allowing for an easy identification of:

• Shoreline Habitats,
• Biological Resources,
• Human-Use Resources, and
• Countermeasures.

While designed for spill response, this atlas information is useful for general environmental protection initiatives, preservation of sensitive shoreline areas and as an addition to the environmental education curriculum.

The atlas series will be of interest to:

• Private contractors
• Industry, Shipping Companies
• Municipal Agencies/Chamber of Commerce
• Conservation and Recreational Authorities
• Any environmental professional with an interest in the Great Lake shorelines
• Tourism Operators
• Marinas, Ports and Harbours, Boat Operators
• Government Agencies

Availability

The Atlases are available in paper volume free of charge for all government agencies. Please send all atlas requests to the Regional Environmental Emergencies Coordinator (REEC).

Contact

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