A statement of vision, mission, goals, objectives and strategic actions to guide the work of the Great Lakes Commission through the year 2012. Approved by the Commission May 15, 2007. Click here to download a PDF of the full strategic plan document

Vision for the Region – 2012
We, the state and provincial Members of the Great Lakes Commission, envision a healthy, vibrant Great Lakes – St. Lawrence River region that exemplifies our shared ideals of environmental quality, economic growth and stewardship for current and future generations.

Our ideals for the region include:

• Our pride of place and sense of regional identity inspire our commitment to protect, maintain, restore and sustainably use our bounty of freshwater resources. Our children choose to live and work here because of the opportunities offered and high quality of life.
• The waters of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin (Basin) are accessible to the public and provide high quality drinking water for millions of people; safe, unpolluted beaches for swimming and boating; and a thriving fishery, free of consumption advisories.
• The waters of the Basin support a diverse and healthy web of plants, fish and wildlife. Governments and the public share a sense of stewardship and optimism that our waters, lands and related resources are being wisely used, managed, protected and enhanced.
• Harbors and waterways support recreational boating and a commercial navigation industry that efficiently moves goods, enhances the competitiveness of our regional economy, and sets a global example in minimizing environmental impacts.
• Healthy and diverse populations of native flora and fauna are protected by preventing the introduction and spread of invasive species.
• Government leaders recognize the importance of critical issues facing the Great Lakes, speak with a unified voice, and make decisions that enhance resource protection and economic development.
• The Great Lakes region is viewed domestically and internationally as a model for sustainable development because of our commitment to stewardship of our resources.

Our Vision for the Great Lakes Commission – 2012
The Great Lakes Commission is a leader among regional institutions, serving its Members – the states and provinces – by helping them collectively fulfill their vision for the region.

The Commission is a respected and trusted voice because its products and positions are built on collaboration with others, encourage economic prosperity and environmental protection, and are science-based. The Commission is an important binational forum that fosters dialogue among decisionmakers in its Member states and provinces to enable them to reach consensus on the region’s priorities and speak with a unified voice.

Commission programs provide leadership in the areas of communication and education, information integration and reporting, facilitation and consensus building, and policy coordination and advocacy.

Mission
The Great Lakes Commission is a public agency established by the Great Lakes Basin Compact in 1955 to help its Member states and provinces speak with a unified voice and collectively fulfill their vision for a healthy, vibrant Great Lakes – St. Lawrence River region. Commission products and services focus on communication and education, information integration and reporting, facilitation and consensus building, and policy coordination and advocacy.

The purpose of the Commission is to carry out the terms and requirements of the Great Lakes Basin Compact, as noted in Article 1: To promote the orderly, integrated, and comprehensive development, use, and conservation of the water resources of the Great Lakes Basin.

Click here to download a PDF of the full strategic plan document