MINUTES OF 36TH MEETING
COUNCIL OF GREAT LAKES RESEARCH MANAGERS

WASHINGTON, D.C.
APRIL 9, 2002

View Agenda (MS Word Format)


U.S. Members Present

Stephen Brandt (U.S. Co-chair) Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab, NOAA, Ann Arbor, MI
Paul Horvatin U.S. EPA-GLNPO, Chicago, IL
Jim Haynes Center for Applied Aquatic Science & Aquaculture, SUNY College, Brockport, NY
John Gannon Great Lakes Science Center, U.S.G.S., Ann Arbor, MI
Jan Miller Great Lakes & Ohio River Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago, IL
Jim Nicolas Water Resources Division, U.S.G.S., Lansing, MI
Jeffrey Reutter Ohio Sea Grant College Program, Columbus, OH
Tom Johnson Large Lakes Observatory, University of Minnesota, Duluth, MN

Canadian Members Present

Harvey Shear (Canadian Co-chair) Environment Canada, Downsview, ON
Patricia Chow-Fraser Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON
David Blakey Env. Health Science, Health Canada, Environmental Contaminant Bureau
Bill Meades Forest Ecology, Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service

Observers and Invitees Present

Gail Krantzberg IJC, Windsor
Doug Alley IJC, Windsor
Jennifer Day IJC, Windsor
Kay Austin IJC, Washington, D.C.
Ann MacKenzie IJC, Ottawa
Janette Rhee IJC, Windsor

Secretary

Mark Burrows IJC Windsor


Discussion of CGLRM activities in Support of the IJC Priorities for 2001-2003 Cycle

1. Mercury - The Council discussed the extent of effort focused on the Mercury priority by the other IJC boards and the overlap between the Mercury, Human Health and Climate Change priorities. The Council also discussed the state of knowledge and research needs associated with the mercury issue. The Council decided to focus activities related to this priority on areas that overlap with work on other priority areas such as climate change.

2. Climate Change - The Council discussed efforts focused on exploring the relation between climate change and ground water and whether the broader implications of climate change should be covered by the Council during this cycle. Issues of storm frequency, the hydrological budget of the lakes, impact on other related ecosystem areas such as forest composition were covered as well as development of a white paper on the topic. The Council decided to continue development of the proposed climate change & groundwater white paper and to discuss other efforts in this priority area after October 2002.

3. Impact of Urbanization - The Council was briefed on the proposed Science Advisory Board priority work and proposed contract. The group discussed challenges associated with gathering data and agreed that a major goal should be to establish a cooperatively maintained, generalized Geographic Information System (GIS) database that would be available to all researchers. Other government agency/academic institution efforts to assemble GIS data were discussed, as well as the need to integrate input from the research needs and priorities subcommittee with the activities of the Science Advisory Board (SAB) workgroup. Council members were assigned to participate with SAB workgroup

Other IJC Priority Issues

4. Human Health – The Council discussed the summary paper on human health provided by the research and monitoring needs and priorities subcommittee. The Council discussed the research needs aspect of mercury, other activities being carried out by IJC advisory boards pertaining to the human health priority, the Council's terms of reference, and the need to avoid duplication of efforts. The Council decided to scope out the microbial pollution issue as the Council's contribution to this IJC priority for the 2001-2003 cycle.

5. Remedial Action Plans and Lakewide Management Plans - The Council discussed current IJC activities associated with Annex 2 of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement that are directed at this priority. The Council discussed delisting criteria and indicators of progress, highlighting the need for well defined end points. The Council discussed coordination with the Science Advisory Board and assigned one Council member to represent the Council on the Annex 2 task force.

6. Emerging Issues - The Council discussed efforts of the IJC to "institutionalize" the process of addressing emerging issues. The Council reviewed a proposal for an emerging issues workshop. The Council decided to participate in a joint SAB/Council working group to organize the proposed emerging issues workshop, and assigned a representative.

CGLRM Work Plan for 2001-2003 Priority Cycle & Plans for April 10th Presentation to Commissioners

7. The Council directed the Council Secretary to summarize the Council's planned activities in a presentation for review by the Council members on April 10th.

Research Inventory Upgrade & Results from Study of Sea Grant Project Entries

8. The Council was briefed on participation with the Council's Research Inventory. Improvements being made to the Inventory as a result of restructuring the IJC web site were discussed as well as strategies for increasing participation. It was decided to promote the Research Inventory at the International Association for Great Lakes Research conference in June 2002 and to reinstitute the Research Inventory Subcommittee to lead efforts to promote greater participation.

Membership & CGLRM Budget for 02-03 -

9. The Council agreed to nominate current members James Nicholas, Stephen Brandt, Jeff Reutter, and Jan Miller for another term.

CGLRM Budget

10. Exact figures for expenditures for the fiscal year ending March 2002 and anticipated appropriations for the new fiscal year were not available at the time of the meeting and it was decided to discuss them at a later date.

Research & Monitoring Needs & Priorities subcommittee -

11. The Council discussed events leading up to the selection of the current research priorities and received a report about the recent Great Lakes Congressional Breakfast. The Council decided to review the Great Lakes Strategy and the Canada -Ontario Agreement and to identify research needs related to the strategies.

Report on Jan 31st 2002 Science Vessel Workshop

12. The Council discussed the Sixth Annual Great Lakes Science Vessel Coordination Workshop held January 31-February 1, 2002 in Cleveland, Ohio. They also discussed proposed features of the science vessel web site, and agreed to establish a web site named: http://www.glsciencevessels.org for 2002 – 2003.

International Association for Great Lakes Research Paper

13. The Council discussed the background and purpose of the paper and the need for a summary of research issues identified within the document. Three council members volunteered to work on a summary, to coordinate the division of session items and to summarize the key issues.

Large Lake Research Funding Letter

14. The Council discussed a proposed letter to the National Science Foundation (NSF) from the Commission regarding funding of large lakes research and an upcoming NSF workshop. The Council agreed to draft a letter and forward it to the Commission prior to the June IJC executive meeting.

Proposed Great Lakes Observation & Monitoring Technology Workshop

15. The Council discussed options for where and how a proposed workshop on Great Lakes observation and monitoring technology could be held

Schedule Next Teleconference/Meeting

16. The Council decided to hold a teleconference on May 17, 2002 at 9:30 am eastern time.