Resolution: Advancing Brownfields Redevelopment and Greenfields Protection
Adopted on October 11, 2001

Whereas, inefficient and unsustainable land use practices represent a continuing trend in, and a major threat to the Great Lakes ecosystem; and

Whereas, the presence of brownfields and the loss of productive agricultural areas rank high among the detrimental consequences of these trends; and

Whereas, the Great Lakes Commission, in cooperation with the National Wildlife Federation-Great Lakes Natural Resource Center and the Council of Great Lakes Industries formed a partnership and engaged in a two year research effort, entitled BRIDGES, to promote and link brownfields redevelopment and greenfields protection efforts in the interest of advancing sustainable development; and

Whereas, the findings of this research identify a series of important policy gaps and opportunities and provide the basis for a series of "strategic actions" to improve existing policies and practices with respect to brownfields redevelopment, greenfields protection and linkages between the two; and

Whereas, many of the strategic actions identify specific actions to be undertaken by state and provincial governments.

Therefore, Be It Resolved, that the Great Lakes Commission urges its member jurisdictions to consider those strategic actions that are not currently part of existing state policy and identify ways and means necessary for their adoption and implementation; and

Be It Further Resolved, that the Great Lakes Commission urges its member jurisdictions to adopt and implement, wherever feasible, those strategic actions within their jurisdiction; and

Be It Finally Resolved, that the Great Lakes Commission will work with its member jurisdictions, as appropriate, to conduct issue briefings and policy roundtables, and build coalitions for purposes of adopting and implementing specific strategic actions.

Adopted unanimously at the 2001 Annual Meeting of the Great Lakes Commission, October 11.