Regional Collaboration Strategy takes center stage

Ann Arbor, Mich. – More than 1,500 Great Lakes experts and stakeholders spent a year developing the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Strategy to restore and protect the world’s greatest freshwater resource. On March 16, members of Congress and other regional leaders will look at putting that plan into action at the 2006 Great Lakes Day in Washington.

The annual Great Lakes policy forum, sponsored by the Great Lakes Commission and the Northeast-Midwest Institute, brings together a broad range of Great Lakes policymakers and opinion leaders to consider the issues facing the world’s greatest freshwater resource. Along with members of Congress, invited participants include Great Lakes governors, mayors, tribal leaders and congressional staff, along with senior agency staff and regional stakeholders.

With the theme “Committing to the Vision!” this year’s event will focus on the recommendations of the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration, convened in response to an executive order from President Bush calling for a regional collaboration of national significance to address the needs of the Great Lakes.

“The development of the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Strategy to Restore and Protect the Great Lakes is a milestone achievement for our region,” said Tom Huntley, chair of the Great Lakes Commission. “The Great Lakes Commission has long called for such a plan, so we’re very pleased to see congressional and other leaders address it at the 2006 Great Lakes Day in Washington.”

A key emphasis will be the Regional Collaboration near-term actions identified by the Great Lakes governors and mayors as immediate priorities. The Commission has incorporated these into its own set of legislative priorities, which are being presented to Congress on behalf of its member states.

The day’s events will begin with the Great Lakes Day Reception and continental breakfast, from 8:00-9:15 a.m. in Room SR-325 of the Russell Senate Office Building, which will provide networking opportunities for members of Congress and regional leaders. Afterwards, regional leaders are scheduled to participate in a panel discussion of Great Lakes needs and legislation, with Great Lakes governors and mayors among the invited participants.

In the afternoon, teams of representatives from the Great Lakes Commission and interested stakeholders will conduct a series of congressional office visits to personally discuss restoration needs and legislation.

Space is limited and demand always exceeds available seats. Therefore, those interested in participating are urged to register well before the Feb. 28 deadline by returning the accompanying form or by registering online at www.glc.org/greatlakesday.

Further details, including speakers and room schedules, will be posted at www.glc.org/greatlakesday as they are finalized. Contact: Jon MacDonagh-Dumler, jonmacd@glc.org, 734-971-9135.

The Great Lakes Commission, chaired by Lt. Gov. John Cherry (Mich.), is a nonpartisan, binational compact agency established under state and U.S. federal law and dedicated to promoting a strong economy, healthy environment and high quality of life for the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region and its residents. The Commission consists of governors' appointees, state legislators, and agency officials from its eight member states. Associate membership for Ontario and Québec was established through the signing of a "Declaration of Partnership." The Commission maintains a formal Observer program involving U.S. and Canadian federal agencies, tribal authorities, binational agencies and other regional interests. The Commission offices are located in Ann Arbor, Michigan.