A Strategic Plan for the Great Lakes Commission

Transportation and Sustainable Development program
Our goal: To promote sustainable, water resource-based economic activity and the use, development, and maintenance of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence transportation system.

Objective #1 of 3
Strong and growing commercial navigation on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway.

• Develop and advocate positions on U.S. and Canadian policies, programs and legislation that reflect the priorities and consensus views of the Great Lakes Commission membership.


• Promote consistency in the development, interpretation and application of public policies, programs, laws and regulations pertaining to commercial navigation.


• Develop the full potential of the commercial navigation system by advocating adequate Coast Guard services, dredging programs and infrastructure improvements (e.g., a second large lock at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan).


• Secure adequate federal funding for operations and maintenance activities.


• Ensure state and provincial leadership in the development of strategic plans and policies.


• Promote the efficient and cost-effective movement of goods and people at the domestic and U.S./Canadian levels by eliminating infrastructure and policy barriers.


• Advocate legislation, policies and programs that yield navigation improvements.

Objective #2 of 3
The incorporation of sustainable development principles into current and future economic activity.

• Establish and promote a consensus-based definition of sustainable development and associated principles and guidelines for application by public and private sector interests.


• Identify and publicize case studies of promising sustainable development practices in a variety of business and community settings.


• Promote sustainable development practices through information dissemination, technology transfer, education and outreach.


• Advocate public policies that improve access to technology, offer a competitive environment and embrace principles of sustainable development.


• Demonstrate the interrelatedness of economic development and environmental protection goals and the importance of a well-managed resource to a prosperous and sustainable economy.


• Promote sustainable development and responsible land use through brownfields redevelopment and greenfields preservation, with an emphasis on coastal areas.

Objective #3 of 3
A prosperous economy that benefits from and protects the unique advantages associated with the natural resource, geographic and economic attributes of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence system.

• Promote waterborne transportation as a lower cost, less polluting and more energy efficient alternative for moving goods and people.


• Document and publicize the importance of water-based recreation and tourism to the regional economy and quality of life, and ensure an adequate state, provincial, and federal investment in such.


• Advocate federal, state and provincial policies that support and facilitate trade with international markets.


• Identify and publicize economic, environmental, natural resource, and quality of life attributes as a means to promote business/industry recruitment, retention, and expansion.


• Foster regional consensus and advocacy on transportation and sustainable developmentissues by supporting the International Association of Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Mayors and other relevant forums.