
	Further Matters of Importance


	Introduction

	Section 1: Annex 1 (Specific Objectives)

	Section 2: Annex 2 (Areas of Concern)

	Section 3: Annex 3 (Phosphorus)

	Section 4: Annex 7 (Dredging)

	Section 5: Annex 8 (Discharge from Onshore and Offshore Facilities)

	Section 6: Annex 10 (Hazardous Polluting Substances)

	Section 7: Annex 12 (Persistent Toxic Substances)

	Section 8: Annex 15 (Airborne Toxic Substances)

	Section 9: Annex 16 (Groundwater)

	Section 10: Annex 17 (Research)

	Section 11: Lake Superior Binational Program

	Section 12: Nuclear Issues

	Section 13: Unmonitored Chemicals

	Section 14: Water Use in the Great Lakes Basin and Annex 2001

Introduction

This section of the Eleventh Biennial Report on Great Lakes Water Quality results from a commitment by the International Joint Commission to systematically review progress under specified annexes of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. This report covers:

The format for this section differs from the main body of the Eleventh Biennial Report. On these topics, the Commission offers its observations while not recommending detailed solutions. With this approach, observations highlight a common understanding of a problem and recognize that a problem or issue could be addressed in a number of ways, not necessarily limited to current program emphases.

The topic of Annex 1 (Specific Objectives) illustrates this approach. There are a number of actions that could be taken by the governments of the United States and Canada to address deficiencies in Annex 1; many are well known and understood by senior officials and managers. The issue of record, however, is that Annex 1 is essential to the Agreement as a basis to quantitatively assess progress and, as such, it needs updating.

The Commission is hopeful that this approach will facilitate an ongoing dialogue with and between the two governments by placing greater focus on the issues and providing flexibility in the choice of workable solutions.

The Commission will be initiating such a dialogue at the earliest opportunity and has already begun discussions with representatives of Environment Canada and U.S. EPA on several of these topics.

Finally, the Eleventh Biennial Report reviews several issues arising from its Public Forum on Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Water Quality, held October 19-20, 2001 in Montréal, Québec, including: the Lake Superior Binational Program, risk and potential impact of nuclear facilities on the Great Lakes, unmonitored chemicals, and water use.