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 |
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MEMBERS ABSENT |
Milton Clark |
United States Environmental Protection Agency, Chicago, IL |
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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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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)
- Other Business
No other business items were presented.
- 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.
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