MEETING RECORD FOR THE 141st MEETING OF THE
GREAT LAKES SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD

Wednesday June 7, 2006

MEMBERS PRESENT
Isobel Heathcote
(Canadian Co-chair)
University of Guelph, Guelph, ON
Michael J. Donahue
(United States Co-chair)
URS Corporation, MI
William Bowerman Clemson University, Pendleton, SC
John Braden University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL
Scott Brown National Water Research Institute, Burlington, ON
David Carpenter University at Albany, Rensselaer, NY
C. Scott Findlay University of Ottawa, ON
Glen Fox Ottawa, ON
Allan Jones Burlington, ON
David Lean University of Ottawa, ON
Donna Mergler University of Quebec, Montreal, PQ
Judith Perlinger (conference phone) Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI
Joan Rose Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Deborah Swackhamer University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Jay Unwin National Council for Air and Stream Improvement, Inc., Kalamazoo, MI
Marcia Valiante University of Windsor, ON
 
MEMBERS ABSENT
Milton Clark United States Environmental Protection Agency, Chicago, IL
 
SECRETARY
Peter Boyer International Joint Commission, GLRO
Bruce Kirschner International Joint Commission, GLRO

141st Meeting of the IJC Science Advisory Board
Great Lakes Regional Office
Windsor, ON
Wednesday June 7, 2006.

  1. Welcome and Introductions

    Dr. Donahue brought the meeting to order and brief self introductions followed. Dr. Perlinger was welcomed to the meeting on the conference telephone.

  2. Approval of the Agenda

    The Board recognized the excellent service provided by Mr. Kirschner as acting Board Secretary, and thanked him for his many fine efforts. The Board Secretary, Mr. Boyer was welcomed back after his lengthy absence.

  3. Meeting Format and Suggestions for Scientific Presentations

    The Board unanimously supported the current meeting format and invited scientific presentations. Dr. Braden volunteered to report on his research in the Buffalo and Sheboygan AOC's at the fall meeting. Dr. Swackhamer suggested that Mr. Peter Annin, who has written an excellent book on the history of Great Lakes diversions, might be another possibility. Dr. Donahue concluded the discussion by inviting anyone with additional ideas for speakers to forward them to the secretary at their convenience.

  4. Old Business: SAB Advisory Process

    Approving and Releasing Board Reports
    Dr. Donahue suggested that the SAB provide a formal statement on the ongoing delays in publishing the 2003-2005 Board Priorities Report. The Board agreed that there are many concerns including, lack of due process, timeliness, availability of hard copies of reports, lack of an agreed upon schedule for release of reports and lack of a communication strategy to support releases. Dr. Donahue moved that a letter be drafted to be signed by the Co chairs outlining these concerns, with seconding by Dr. Swackhamer. The motion was approved by all of those present. Several other comments were added, including whether the need still exists to publish a compiled Priorities Report by all of the advisory groups, and the necessity of publishing a public report.

    Update on the 2003-2005 Priorities Report
    It was reported that the report was imminent and might be published in 6 weeks time.

  5. IJC Update

    Board Co chairs Roundtable Discussion, June 8, Windsor, Ontario
    A copy of the power point slide presentation to be used by the Co chairs was circulated as an information item.

    Biennial Report
    Ms. Austin gave a brief account of the 13th Biennial Report which is under preparation and which will focus on the theme of accountability. She said that the report is planned to be completed by sometime in the fall.

    Special Report to Governments on the Review of the Agreement
    Mr. Weiner provided a brief account of the special report that is being authored by himself, Dr. Gannon, and Mr. Chandler. He indicated that the planned submission date will be by the end of July.

  6. Work Group Activities

    WGEH
    Dr. Bowerman provided an overview of the Expert Consultation on Dam Removal. Dr. Donahue commented that with respect to a recent project on the Boardman River, the project was called "dam disposition" to avoid any confrontation or conflict that "removal" might create during the planning process.

    Dr. Rose indicated that the WG had received an excellent white paper on Microbial Tracking, which she will summarize.

    Mr. Fox reported that a further work plan item will be for the WG to provide an estimate of the potential economic benefits of the Great Lakes fishery if clean up could occur that would result in the removal of the fish advisories. Dr. Braden added the he supported such an approach to assessing benefits.

    WGPI
    The WG circulated a summary work plan of its planned activities. (Attachment 1) All agreed that this format was desirable and should be adopted by the other WGs.

    WGEI
    Dr. Jones reported that two activities are being planned. The first one will be build on the three principles identified at Wingspread and determine how they might be operationalized in terms of decision making. The second activity will be to identify principles and approaches related to weight of evidence and how they might be applied to the Great Lakes. Mr. Unwin suggested that the Precautionary Principle could also be addressed within the context of the second item.

  7. SAB to Serve on the IAQAB Energy Initiative

    Dr. Perlinger volunteered to serve in this role and her appointment was agreed to by all of those present.

  8. Future Meetings

    Next; October 4-5, 2006, Windsor, Ontario
    Future Proposed; December 6-7, 2006, Windsor, Ontario
    Future Proposed; February 27-28, 2007, Windsor, Ontario
    Future Proposed, June IJC Biennial Meeting, Chicago, Illinois (date still to be determined)

  9. Other Business

    No other business items were presented.

  10. Adjournment

    There being no further business of the Board, Dr. Carpenter moved that the meeting be adjourned, with seconding by Dr. Brown. The motion was approved by all of those present.