Ecosystem Charter for the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Basin
Preamble

Introduction
An "ecosystem approach" to management is being embraced by many public sector, non-governmental and citizen-based institutions in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Basin. This approach recognizes that the environmental and economic attributes of the Basin are fundamentally linked and interdependent, as are the goals for environmental protection and economic development. It also recognizes that resources must be managed as part of dynamic and complex communities and ecosystems, rather than as separate and distinct elements. Practicing the ecosystem approach means that all partners -- government and private sector alike -- understand the implications of their actions and strive to avoid unintended adverse consequences.

The Problem
Many of our laws, programs, policies and institutions support the concept of an ecosystem approach, yet application of the concept is difficult due to their often narrow, single-media or issue-specific mandates and the inherent challenges of managing on an ecosystem basis. The problem is the absence of a single, clearly articulated statement -- or charter -- that explicitly defines goals for an ecosystem approach to management and ties a common thread through these many activities and mandates.

Charter Format and Objectives
The Ecosystem Charter summarizes, in a concise and convenient form, commonly held principles drawn from existing laws, treaties, agreements and policies. It includes a vision statement and a series of principles in the categories of rights and responsibilities; ecological integrity and diversity; sustainable communities; institutional relations; and public information, education and participation. It includes a series of actions that all members of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Basin community can endorse or undertake in support of these principles.

The Charter has three primary uses. It is a tool for promoting and periodically assessing public and private sector efforts to implement an ecosystem approach. It is a tool for information and education, offering a vision for the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Basin Ecosystem and a means to achieve it. Finally, it is a tool for advocating the interests of the Basin Ecosystem and its inhabitants; a statement of unity acknowledging that all partners in the collective management effort -- despite their differences -- subscribe to a single set of fundamental principles.

The Charter is a good faith agreement among its signatories, which can include representatives from the array of public agencies, non-governmental organizations and private interests in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Basin. It is not a legally binding document, nor does it replace or otherwise affect implementation of existing laws, agreements and policies. Rather it showcases these initiatives, highlights their implementation and, in so doing, promotes an ecosystem approach to management in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Basin.

Charter Foundation
The foundation for the Ecosystem Charter is a heritage of binational cooperation to ensure the informed use, management, conservation and protection of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Basin Ecosystem. The Charter builds upon landmark agreements such as the U.S.-Canada Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909, which established procedures for avoiding or otherwise addressing transboundary resource management and related environmental problems, and the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, which commits the two countries to restoring and maintaining the chemical, physical and biological integrity of the waters of the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem. Through these and many other initiatives, regional leadership has pioneered the ecosystem approach to resource and environmental management, conservation and protection. The Ecosystem Charter, as a statement of shared principles and related actions for an array of stakeholders, represents an important step forward in this approach. The Charter will help guide future actions to enhance and sustain the environmental health and economic viability of the world's greatest freshwater system. In so doing, it can serve as a model in North America and globally.

Charter Process
The Charter is a living document; it will be reviewed and revised periodically to ensure that it reflects current thinking on the ecosystem approach. It offers a means for assessing progress and provides the guidance needed for further efforts. A broad cross section of agencies, organizations and associations contributed to the draft of the Charter, and the document itself is "owned" by all signatories. The Great Lakes Commission, as a coordinating agency, will provide ongoing support in the distribution, use and updating of the Charter, including specific opportunities for periodic review and assessment of progress.

Charter Signatories
Any organization, agency or governmental jurisdiction that subscribes to these principles is invited to be a signatory to the Ecosystem Charter. Signatories agree to use the Charter as guidance in the development of their work plans and priorities, as a means to enhance communication and cooperation with others, and as a means for assessing progress toward a shared vision for the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Basin Ecosystem. Signatories accept the overall intent of the Charter and agree to pursue principles and related actions that are consistent with their individual mandates and priorities, and within available resources. Signatories will prepare a brief statement that describes their agency/organization's commitment to the Charter, and actions to be taken to support implementation. These statements will be included in the Charter addendum and updated periodically to assess past progress and guide future efforts.