Resolution: Reducing atmospheric toxic deposition to the Great Lakes
Adopted on October 7, 2008

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Whereas, deposition of mercury and other toxic chemicals via the atmosphere contributes to serious water quality problems in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River region, including necessitating the issuance of warnings to limit consumption of some species of fish from the Great Lakes and inland bodies of water; and

Whereas, air regulatory agencies in the eight Great Lakes states and two provinces have worked collaboratively for nearly two decades to promote understanding of management options for reducing toxic chemical deposition to the Great Lakes, including focused work under the Great Lakes Air Deposition (GLAD) program and the regional air emissions inventory program; and

Whereas, the importance of these issues was recognized by state and provincial leadership in the Great Lakes Toxic Substances Control Agreement, signed by the Great Lakes governors in 1986 and premiers in 1988; and

Whereas, the U.S. Congress recognized the importance of these efforts in their framing of the Great Waters section of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990; and

Whereas, U.S. and Canadian governments have committed to working jointly to address these issues under Annexes 12 and 15 of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement; and

Whereas, the recommendations on toxic substances chapter of the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Strategy highlights the importance of reducing and eliminating air toxic deposition to the Great Lakes, with particular emphasis on eliminating mercury emissions; and

Whereas, the provinces of Ontario and Québec recognize the importance of continued financial support for the GLAD program to help understand impacts of atmospheric toxic deposition to the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River and to identify appropriate management responses; and

Whereas, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) has funded the GLAD program over the last five years at a consistent level of $1.1 million per annum with these funds being directed toward targeted research and monitoring directed by the Great Lakes states; and

Whereas, the Great Lakes Commission has called upon the U.S. Congress in February 2008 to increase funding for the GLAD program to $4 million per annum as part of the region’s legislative priorities; and

Whereas, the U.S. EPA has announced its intention to permanently discontinue funding for the GLAD program starting in fiscal year 2009; and

Whereas, U.S. Sen. Carl Levin and the states of Michigan, Minnesota and New York have submitted letters to the U.S. EPA requesting reversal of this decision.

Therefore, Be It Resolved, that the Great Lakes Commission urges the U.S. EPA to restore funding for the GLAD program to continue state-led activities to achieve the goals outlined in the Clean Air Act, the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement and the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration; and

Be It Further Resolved, that the Commission urges the U.S. Congress to elevate this program to “line item” status and increase its funding to help the Great Lakes states and provinces reduce and eliminate air toxic deposition to the Great Lakes.

Adopted at the 2008 Annual Meeting of the Great Lakes Commission, Québec City, Québec, Oct. 7, 2008.