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GLWQA 2012 Highlights

Michael Goffin, Environment Canada – and –

Susan Hedman, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

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Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement 1972

Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement - Over Time

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Amended GLWQA Agreement Signed Sept 7, 2012

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2012 GLWQA Amendments

To read or download the entire text:

Environment Canada: http://www.ec.gc.ca/grandslacs-greatlakes/ Environmental Protection Agency: http://www.epa.gov/glnpo/glwqa/

2012 GLWQA Amendments Existing Approaches Retained

• Bi-national efforts focused on

Areas of Concern, lakewide management, vessels, chemicals , and nutrients

• Bi-national principles (e.g.,

virtual elimination) • Domestic implementation

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2012 GLWQA Amendments - What’s New

• Expanded scope to address full range of issues that impact Great Lakes water quality

• Increased emphasis on pollution prevention

• New issues: nearshore, aquatic invasives, habitat, climate change impacts

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Engagement under the GLWQA

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Engagement under the GLWQA

• Great Lakes Public Forum • New Great Lakes Executive Committee

with expanded membership to advise Parties

• Specific commitments throughout to consult

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Areas of Concern Restore beneficial uses in Areas of Concern

through implementation of Remedial Action Plans

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Lakewide Management

• Assess each lake and address water quality threats on lakewide scale

• Develop a binational nearshore assessment and management framework

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Chemicals of Mutual Concern

Reduce anthropogenic release of chemicals of mutual concern

Nutrients

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Coordinate binational actions to manage phosphorus concentrations and loadings -- and other nutrients, if warranted

Discharges from Vessels

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Prevent and control vessel discharges harmful to the quality of the Waters of the Great Lakes

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Aquatic Invasive Species

Prevent the introduction of AIS, control or reduce the spread of existing AIS, and eradicate existing AIS where feasible

Habitat and Species

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Conserve, protect, maintain, restore and enhance the resilience of native species and their habitat

Groundwater

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Coordinate groundwater science and management actions

Climate Change Impacts

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Co-ordinate efforts to identify, quantify, understand and predict climate change impacts and share information

Science

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Enhance coordination, integration, synthesis, and assessment of science activities

GLWQA Implementation Structure and Management

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Great Lakes Executive Committee

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Great Lakes Executive Committee

• Annex Subcommittees

• Binational Secretariat

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• 1ST GLEC

• GLEC

• FORUM • SUMMIT • SOLEC • IJC

• GLEC • GLEC • GLEC • GLEC • GLEC • GLEC

• FORUM • SUMMIT • SOLEC • IJC

SOLEC Report

(every 3 yrs thereafter)

Progress Report of the Parties (every 3 yrs thereafter)

IJC Assessment of Progress (every 3 yrs thereafter)

Dec ’12 Jun ‘13 Sep ’13 Dec ‘13 Mar ’14 Jun ’14 Dec ’14 Jun ‘15 Dec ’15 Jun ‘16 Sep ’16 Dec ’16 Mar ‘17 Jun’17

• GLEC

DRAFT Timeline for Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement Activities

Draft 12/21/2012

SOLEC Report

Priorities for Science and

Action (every 3 yrs thereafter)

Priorities for Science and

Action

• GLEC

Implementing GLWQA through Domestic Mechanisms

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Implementing GLWQA through Domestic Mechanisms - CANADA

• Randle Reef – Hamilton Harbour

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Implementing GLWQA through Domestic Mechanisms – CANADA

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Implementing GLWQA through Domestic Mechanisms – CANADA

• Great Lakes Nutrient Initiative

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Implementing GLWQA through Domestic Mechanisms – CANADA

• Lake Simcoe South-Eastern Georgian Bay Clean-Up Fund

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Implementing GLWQA through Domestic Mechanisms – CANADA

• Asian Carp Initiative

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Implementing GLWQA through Domestic Mechanisms – CANADA

NIPIGON BAY AOC

PENINSULA HARBOUR AOC

• Areas of Concern

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Implementing GLWQA through Domestic Mechanisms – CANADA

• Areas of Concern

NIAGARA RIVER AOC

BAY OF QUINTE AOC

ST. LAWRENCE RIVER AOC

• Canada-Ontario Agreement Respecting the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem (COA)

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Implementing GLWQA through Domestic Mechanisms – CANADA

Implementing GLWQA through Domestic Mechanisms – U.S.

CLEAN WATER ACT

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Implementing GLWQA through Domestic Mechanisms – U.S.

Clean Water Act Consent Decrees

to Control Combined Sewer Overflows

Implementing GLWQA through Domestic Mechanisms – U.S.

Investment in Green Infrastructure

Implementing GLWQA through Domestic Mechanisms – U.S.

Clean Water Act §319 Total Maximum Daily Loads

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Implementing GLWQA through Domestic Mechanisms – U.S.

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Implementing GLWQA through Domestic Mechanisms – U.S.

GLRI Priority: Combating Invasive Species

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Implementing GLWQA through Domestic Mechanisms – U.S.

GLRI Priority: Impaired Watersheds

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GLRI Priority: Impaired Watersheds

Lower Fox River, WI

Maumee River, OH

Saginaw River, MI

Implementing GLWQA through Domestic Mechanisms – U.S.

GLRI Priority: Cleaning Up Areas of Concern

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Environment Canada: http://www.ec.gc.ca/grandslacs-greatlakes/ Environmental Protection Agency: http://www.epa.gov/glnpo/glwqa/