Great Lakes Commission Priorities
A summary of state and provincial delegations' priorities gathered at the 2002 Semiannual Meeting

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Human and Ecosystem Health | Security | Biologial Contamination | Water Resources Management | Land Use | Tourism | International Presence | Maritime Transportation | Water Quality | Great Lakes Restoration | Habitat Protection | Environmental Monitoring | Advocacy

Commission delegates from all ten member jurisdictions shared their views on current and emerging priorities at a special session of the 2002 Semiannual Meeting. In an open forum, delegations were invited to look ahead and identify issues and opportunities they believe the Commission should address in coming years.

A number of common themes emerged, with a mix of new ideas and calls for renewed emphasis on established priorities. Topics ranged from the local to binational, and reflected the range of Commission responsibilities under the Great Lakes Basin Compact.

Comments from each delegation were later distilled into a list of 34 proposed priorities, organized under broad themes such as human and ecosystem health, security, biological contamination, water resources management, Great Lakes restoration, advocacy and others. The list is being circulated among the Commission membership for consideration in policy development and agenda setting.

The full list follows. For more information about the Commission's state and provincial priorities, contact President/CEO Tom Crane at tcrane@glc.org

• Research magnitude and potential impacts of pharmaceuticals in Great Lakes water
• Increase focus on atmospheric deposition of persistent, bio-accumulative contaminants
• Research environmental and socio-economic implications of climate change
• Address implications of prospective nuclear waste shipments on the Great Lakes
• Promote programs that protect rare and endangered species and ensure a diverse and sustainable ecosystem

• Ensure security of border, water supply and energy production facilities
• Support federal, state, provincial and local law enforcement efforts to ensure port security and the conduct of international commerce

• Advance invasive species control by encouraging federal action, coordinating state/provincial initiatives, promoting ballast management initiatives, and continuing research on barriers (e.g., Illinois' Sanitary and Ship Canal)
• Address marine biological contamination problems, including ballast water, marine sanitation device and grey water discharge

• Support multi-year research to assist with Annex 2001 implementation
• Support water supply and wastewater treatment infrastructure to ensure that stewardship responsibilities are met
• Assist Council of Great Lakes Governors in developing standards to implement Annex 2001
• Develop, enhance and maintain a decision support system for water management, including water withdrawals, drought and related issues
• Conduct an in-depth study of the Commission's future roles in Great Lakes water management as a result of Annex 2001 implementation
• Establish a working agreement specific to water management concerns of a binational nature

• Revitalize brownfields sites in coastal areas

• Increase water-based tourism, including cruises and group tours

• Support World Large Lakes Conference and expand role in international issues

• Maximize use of maritime transportation system through maintenance of commercial harbors and adequate depth of navigation channels
• Support navigation systems and address safety concerns for commercial and recreational navigation
• Maximize use of maritime transportation system through maintenance of commercial harbors and adequate depth of navigation channels
• Support programs that assist the maritime industry, including lake level monitoring, weather prediction, and trade policy and promotion
• Ensure construction of a new large lock at the Soo
• Further integrate environmental concerns with the field of maritime transportation in the interests of a sustainable system of water transport

• Advance delisting and recovery efforts for Areas of Concern
• Reduce contaminant levels in fish via sediment remediation and nonpoint source pollution controls
• Assist economically disadvantaged communities with point/nonpoint source pollution control

• Advance Great Lakes restoration efforts through enactment of the Conservation and Reinvestment Act
• Develop a comprehensive Great Lakes Restoration Plan with adequate resources for states to pursue regional and community-based initiatives
• Establish a National Estuarine Research Reserve in the upper Great Lakes

• Reauthorize the Coastal Zone Management Act, increase funding to states that have reached the federal cap, and establish state-recommended performance indicators

• Promote development of a comprehensive research and ecosystem monitoring program

• Advocate the collective interests of the Great Lakes states through the Great Lakes Program to Ensure Environmental and Economic Prosperity (PDF)
• Ensure that Great Lakes-St. Lawrence interests and needs are fully considered by the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy as the development of a national ocean policy moves forward