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We are now in the most intense part of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement renegotiating process. Therefore, we must decide what are the main issues we are going to focus our efforts on and what our bottom lines are in deciding whether to support a new Agreement. After a brief presentation on the status of the renegotiations, we will break into small groups for roundtable discussions on top priorities and bottom lines. This session will make up an important part of the Great Lakes community’s ongoing discussions on this matter.
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The GLWQA: Deciding our priorities and bottom lines?
Founders Ballroom,Thursday, October 2011
10:15-11:15 a.m.
What we know
What we don’t know
and what it could mean for the Great Lakes
Great Lakes United H2ONOW! 10-13-11
Why Action is Needed
The vitality and resilience of the Great Lakes ecosystem is in the balance.
Unless we take bold action rapidly, the Great Lakes are at real risk of irreparable ecological damage and decline.
Great Lakes United H2ONOW! 10-13-11
Importance of GLWQA Shared goals and strategies to protect the Great Lakes
through a formal agreement
Ecosystem-wide approach
Basin-wide Great Lakes community of knowledge, leadership and strategic collaboration
Broader framework than any single agency or set of objectives: chemical, physical and biological integrity of the Great Lakes ecosystem.
Great Lakes United H2ONOW! 10-13-11
A New Agreement is Needed A new Agreement must be
visionary and bold, pushing beyond old barriers to pollution cleanup and prevention
But, also addressing the challenges of climate disruption, invasive species, and more.
Great Lakes United H2ONOW! 10-13-11
Citizen group actions and input throughout negotiations The Review – 2007
During Negotiations: February 2010
July 2010
September 2011
Unable to participate in shaping draft Agreement language and no direct involvement during actual negotiations – unlike situation in 1987
Great Lakes United H2ONOW! 10-13-11
Progress (we think) in these areas New annex on climate
New annex on habitat
New annex on invasive species
Seats for local governments, Tribes, First Nations and Métis on governing committee “GLEC”
Great Lakes United H2ONOW! 10-13-11
Little or no improvement or backsliding
RAPs
Governing Structures
Citizen Role No seats on GLEC
No right to petition
Accountability Few deadlines or targets in Agreement itself
Targets and deadlines development shifted to after Agreement signed
Role of IJC, especially Water Quality Board, vague
Great Lakes United H2ONOW! 10-13-11
What now? Do our national leaders have
the will to rise to the challenge of protecting the lakes at the scale and intensity that today’s threats require, or will the new Agreement be merely symbolic?
YOUR VOICE can make the difference.
Great Lakes United H2ONOW! 10-13-11
Going Forward: Working within the expected new system Attempt to populate subcommittees with
sophisticated and engaged citizen leaders where possible (even with no funding to do so)
Build ownership for oversight in key Congressional and Parliamentary bodies
Attempt to influence the “nearshore” framework—especially when it comes to whole watershed strategies
Great Lakes United H2ONOW! 10-13-11
Going Forward: Building binational capacity If the new GLWQA can’t provide a sufficient
framework for a driving a binational Great Lakes strategy, then we need to build complementary structures and leadership communities to fill the gap.
Work closely with IJC
Work closely with other binational organizations and institutions (IAGLR, Great Lakes United, Great Lakes Fishery Commission, Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, Sierra Club, etc.)
Great Lakes United H2ONOW! 10-13-11
Some Possible Next Steps Organize a binational citizens forum next spring
“post-Agreement’
Ask IJC to convene binational working groups on urgent issues that won’t wait for three years for recommendations under the new GLEC. Phosphorus: the crisis in Lake Erie, the Fox River/Green
Bay system, and beyond
Climate: beyond the research to action
Mining and the Lake Superior Basin
Radioactive materials
And more…
Great Lakes United H2ONOW! 10-13-11
Keeping our collaboration going GLU will keep AGREEMENT WATCH alive
Teams to explore strategies, conference calls as resources allow
Set up working group and information exchange on Linked In or Facebook
What else?
Great Lakes United H2ONOW! 10-13-11
Regardless of the outcome… Great Lakes leaders will need to continue to
collaborate and forge strategies across borders that will protect our treasured Great Lakes
Great Lakes United H2ONOW! 10-13-11
For more information
Contact
John Jackson: [email protected]
Jane Elder: [email protected]
Visit the Great Lakes United Website www.glu.org
Follow AGREEMEN T WATCH at http://www.glu.org/blog
Great Lakes United H2ONOW! 10-13-11
Spread the word!Wireless password:
HOW11
Conference website: Conference.healthylakes.org
Email us photos, comments, tweets or video & we will post online:[email protected]
On Twitter? Use the hashtag:#healthylakes
