
	Biological Integrity


	Introduction

	Aquatic Alien Invasive Species: Living with the Uncertainty of Biological Pollution in the Great Lakes

	Creating a Regional Approach: What We Can Do Better

	Implement a Great Lakes Biologically Protective Standard

	Require Certification of Technology to Achieve the Standard

	Require Enhanced Ballast Management Practices for No Ballast on Board (NOBOBs)

	Promote Ongoing Regional Cooperation

	Develop Measures to Ensure Compliance

	Enlist the Assistance of the International Joint Commission

	Recommendations

	Microbial Contamination

	Where are the Pathogens Coming From?

	Detecting Pathogens and Assessing Risks

	Gaps in Pathogen Detection

	The Emergence of New Pathogens

	The Walkerton Tragedy: A Lesson for the Great Lakes?

	As Population Grows, Water Infrastructure Must Be Updated

	Conclusions

	Recommendation

	Figures

Aquatic Alien Invasive Species

Creating a Regional Approach: What We Can Do Better

A Great Lakes solution to invasive species must be a cooperative effort focused on regional concerns that includes a biologically protective standard for all the Great Lakes; requires technology certification to achieve the standard; requires enhanced measures of ballast management for ships carrying residual ballast water and sediment; promotes ongoing regional cooperation; and develops measures to ensure compliance. This regional approach should be coordinated through a well-defined process that includes key elements highlighted in the sections that follow.