Volume 22, Issue 1, 1997 March/April 1997

Leonard Legault Appointed to International Joint Commssion

Leonard Legault a été nommé à la Commission mixte internationale

Leonard Legault, Q.C. was appointed Commissioner and, by agreement among the Commissioners, became chair of the Canadian Section of the International Joint Commission effective March 10, 1997. Legault is a career diplomat with extensive experience in Canada-U.S. relations and as an international jurist. Among other assignments, he has served as senior assistant deputy minister (United States Branch) with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (1990-1993) and as deputy head of mission and minister at the Canadian Embassy in Washington (1986-1990). Legault has been a member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration and has been deeply involved in international resource and fisheries management. Between 1982 and 1984 he served as ambassador and agent for Canada in the Gulf of Maine case before the International Court of Justice. From 1995 to the present, he has served as Canada's ambassador and head of the Canadian Delegation to the U.N. Commission on Human Rights in Geneva, a post that has entailed close consultations between government and nongovernmental organizations. Legault returns to Ottawa from the Vatican where he has been Canada's ambassador since fall 1993. Legault is an officer of the Order of Canada. He is originally from Gravelbourg, Saskatchewan.

M. Legault a été nommé Commissaire et, avec laccord de tous les commissaires, est devenu le Président de la section canadienne de la Commission mixte internationale. Il entrera en fonction le 10 mars 1997. M. Legault est un diplomate de carrière qui possède une vaste expérience dans les relations canado-américaines, et un spécialiste du droit international. Entre autres affectations, il a été Sous-ministre adjoint principal (Direction des États-Unis) pour le ministère des Affaires étrangères et du Commerce international (1990-1993) et adjoint au chef de mission et au ministre à lambassade du Canada à Washington (1986-1990). M. Legault a été membre de la Cour permanente darbitrage et a participé de près à la gestion des ressources et des pêches internationales. Entre 1982 et 1984, il a été ambassadeur et agent pour le Canada dans la cause du golfe du Maine devant la Cour internationale de Justice. Depuis 1995, il a été ambassadeur du Canada et chef de la délégation canadienne à la Commission des Nations Unies pour les droits de lhomme à Genève, fonctions qui ont nécessité de consultations étroites entre les organisations gouvernementales et non gouvernementales. M. Legault revient à Ottawa après avoir été ambassadeur du Canada au Vatican depuis lautomne 1993. M. Legault est Officier de lOrdre du Canada. Il est originaire de Gravelbourg, en Saskatchewan.

The International Joint Commission welcomes new members it has recently appointed to its boards and thanks those who have completed their service for the time and talent they contributed. Donald C. McKay of Environment Canada's Atmospheric Environment Service has been appointed as the Canadian cochair of the International Air Quality Advisory Board. McKay succeeds Jim Young in this role. Michael Sprague of Environment New Brunswick joins the International Advisory Board on Pollution Control -- St. Croix River as a new member and will assume the responsibilities formerly fulfilled by David Silliphant. Rodney Massey, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, has been appointed to the Great Lakes Water Quality Board. Massey replaces Patricia Burke. Jeff Reutter, Ohio Sea Grant College Program, was appointed as U.S. cochair to the Council of Great Lakes Research Managers. Other newly appointed Council members include Richard MacDonald, Wastewater Technology International Corporation and W. Gary Sprules, University of Toronto. Members who recently left the Council include Nelson Thomas, who served as chair of the Councils U.S. Section and John Neate. Barbara Knuth recently completed service on the Great Lakes Science Advisory Board.

La Commission mixte internationale souhaite la bienvenue aux nouveaux membres quelle a récemment nommés à ses comités et remercie ceux qui ont terminé leur mandat pour le temps et le talent quils y ont consacrés. Donald C. McKay, du Service de lenvironnement atmosphérique dEnvironnement Canada, a été nommé coprésident canadien du Conseil consultatif international sur la qualité de latmosphère. M. McKay succède à Jim Young. Michael Sprague, du ministère de lEnvironnement du Nouveau-Brunswick, se joint au Conseil international de lutte contre la pollution de la rivière Sainte-Croix à titre de nouveau membre et assumera les responsabilités qui incombaient auparavant à David Silliphant. Rodney Massey, de la Pollution Control Agency du Minnesota, a été nommé au sein du Conseil de la qualité de leau des Grands Lacs. M. Massey remplace Patricia Burke. Jeff Reutter, du Ohio Sea Grant College Program, a été nommé coprésident américain du Conseil des gestionnaires de la recherche des Grands Lacs. Les autres nouveaux membres du Conseil sont Richard MacDonald, de la Wastewater Technology International Corporatin, et W. Gary Sprules, de lUniversité de Toronto. Les membres qui ont récemment quitté le Conseil comprennent Nelson Thomas, qui était président de la section américaine du Conseil, et John Neate. Barbara Knuth a récemment terminé son mandat au sein du Conseil consultatif scientifique des Grands Lacs.

In October 1996, the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) released for public comment "consultation drafts" of North American regional action plans aimed at reducing the dangerous effects of mercury, PCBs and two pesticides, DDT and chlordane. The comment period was launched at a stakeholders workshop in Mexico City and closed in January 1997. Final drafts of the regional action plans will be considered for approval in early 1997.

The CEC, located in Montreal, Quebec is an international organization established under the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation. It is funded equally by the governments of Canada, Mexico and the United States and is governed by a council of ministers from the three countries. In addition to the secretariat in Montreal and the council of ministers, the Agreement established a joint public advisory committee. The council approved Resolution 95-5 on the Sound Management of Chemicals at its second regular meeting in Oaxaca, Mexico in October, 1995. The resolution called for the development of a regional action plan on PCBs and committed the governments to identify three additional persistent toxic substances for regional action. It also established a working group made up of senior government officials to work with the CEC in implementing the decisions and commitments contained in the resolution.

For more information, contact Andrew Hamilton, Head, CEC Science Division, 393 rue St-Jacques ouest, Bureau 200, Montreal, PQ H2Y 1N9. (514)350-4300; fax (514)350-4314.

Recent reports indicating that the ozone hole over Antarctica has grown to twice the size of Europe suggests the urgency to act now in order to protect the Earths protective atmospheric ozone layer. A new publication entitled Ozone Protection in the United States: Elements of Success suggests that it's possible to do this while making economic and technological progress.

The new World Resources Institute study edited by Senior Associate Elizabeth Cook, documents the U.S. transition away from an economy based on chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). On January 1, 1996, in accordance with the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, chemical manufacturers stopped producing CFCs for domestic use. Surprisingly, most industries found that the CFC elimination neither deprived consumers of popular products nor caused massive job losses. In fact, in many cases industry adopted CFC alternatives more quickly, at less cost or with greater technological improvements than expected.

The report examines how and why the CFC phase-out was so successful in many instanes based on case studies where innovative regulatory initiatives and voluntary actions contributed to the adoption of CFC alternatives. Although the United States has made monumental strides in its ozone-protection policy, CFC smugglers on the black market continue to present a threat to the ozone layer. So do other ozone-depleters such as methyl bromide, which is still in production for domestic consumption. However, Ozone Protection in the United States makes a strong case that when industry, policy makers and the public work together, challenges once thought insurmountable can be overcome. Copies are available for $14.95 (US) plus shipping, prepayment required, by contacting World Resources Institute Publications, P.O. Box 4852, Hampden Station, Baltimore, MD 21211. (800)822-0504 or (410)516-6963; fax (410)516-6998; email ChrisD@WRI.ORG .

A Scope Study for Expanding the Great Lakes Toxic Emission Regional Inventory to Include Estimated Emissions from Mobile Sources examines the potential health-threatening impact of emissions from cars, trucks, airplanes, locomotives, ships and other vehicles on the Great Lakes through atmospheric deposition.

The report, published in October 1996 by the Great Lakes Commission with funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Great Waters Program, was prepared by Chun Yi Wu and Clifford Twaroski, Minnesota Pollution control Agency; Deborah L. Swackhamer, University of Minnesota School of Public Health; and Lung Chi Chen, New York University Medical Center, Institute of Environmental Medicine. Guidance was provided by the Great Lakes states and Province of Ontario working together through the Regional Emission Inventory of Toxic Air Contaminants Steering Committee.

The study identified 72 chemicals and compounds emitted by mobile sources that may threaten the health of the Great Lakes and the residents of the region. The principal author, Chun Yi Wu states that "the compilation of data on toxic emissions from mobile sources, as well as from point and area sources in the Great Lakes region, should be a key component of any strategy to reduce toxic loadings to the lakes, and any potential environmental and human health impacts caused by these loadings." To date most emission inventories have focused on larger industrial, manufacturing and commercial point sources, however, the study indicates that mobile sources may contribute as much as 30-40 percent of the volatile organic compound emissions.

The study is available online via the Great Lakes Commission home page, http://www.glc.org. Select "Scope Study" under hot topics or follow the air quality link. For more information, contact Chun Yi Wu, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, 320 West 2nd Street, Room 704, Duluth, MN 55802. (612)297-8298; email chun.yi.wu@pca.state.mn.us. Or contact Carol Ratza, Great Lakes Commission, The Argus II Building, 400 Fourth Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48103-4816. (313)665-9135; email cratza@glc.org.

The blue pike, a cousin to the walleye, is a tasty species of fish once common to the Great Lakes in such numbers that it accounted for the majority of commercial catches from Lake Erie only a generation ago. However, biologists declared the blue pike extinct in 1975. General consensus blamed years of extensive overfishing and pollution for its disappearance from the Great Lakes region -- its only known habitat.

However, videotape footage showing anglers proudly displaying both blue and yellow-tinged pike caught from the same lake on a fishing excursion from a Canadian fishing camp, supports mounting evidence that stocks of blue pike previously declared extinct may have actually survived in northern Canadian lakes. Anglers are now bringing in samples of "blue pike suspects" for DNA testing. However, finding genetic samples from "old pike" for comparison is perplexing, thus making confirmation difficult.

Dieter Busch, head of the U.S. Governments Lower Great Lakes Fishery Resources Office is optimistic, however, and he supports the premise that the fish could quite possibly be returned to Lake Erie someday.

A new invader species has been detected in several locations along Lake Ontarios north shore. The snail Potamopyrgus, a species native to New Zealand, was first discovered offshore from Wilson, New York in 1991. Its detection is now becoming widespread in Lake Ontario, particularly in locations of heavy shipping traffic such as the Welland Canal and North Channel. The growing abundance of the snail in these particular areas has caused researchers to once again suspect ballast water as the potential transfer mechanism.

The exotic is found throughout Europe and known to spread quickly once introduced into aquatic environments, according to Danuta Zaranko, an aquatic ecologist with Zaranko Environmental Assessment Services in Guelph, Ontario. She reports that no demonstrable effects on native species have been observed, but explains that there is a potential threat to their habitat because of its high reproductive capacity. The snail was actually first found in North America in 1987 in the Snake River system in Idaho.

For more information, contact Danuta Zaranko, (519)836-9176; email dzaranko@uoguelph.ca. Or contact the Great Lakes Commission, The Argus II Building, 400 Fourth Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48103-4816.

The Canadian Centre for Pollution Prevention (formerly the Great Lakes Pollution Prevention Centre) has identified small and medium sized enterprises in Canada as prime industrial audiences to target their message of Pollution Prevention, or "P2." These companies are faced with unique challenges from a business perspective significantly different from larger entities, while posing environmental threats just as serious. Small shop owners are generally limited in their availability of time, staff and money. They consider it economically disadvantages to invest in technology, such as computers and Internet access, to identify theinnovative tools and processes for their operations that could improve environmental quality. They often have difficulty connecting an increased bottom line with greater competitiveness through pollution prevention activities that reduce and eliminate toxic waste at its source.

Recognizing the need to raise awareness and stimulate actions to improve the environment, a business coalition called the Emery Creek Environmental Association (ECEA) was created with over 1,500 commercial, industrial and retail establishments, the majority employing five or fewer people. The area, a small watershed draining into the Humber River, also happens to be the worst contaminated waterway in the metro Toronto area, with unacceptable levels of bacteria, lead, zinc and cadmium. Today, the Canadian Centre for Pollution Prevention, working with ECEA has established a P2 Link to provide small, diversified businesses with P2 information on auto servicing, dry cleaning, metal finishing and food service. A P2 Link is simply an extension of the Centres information dissemination service. ECEA, in cooperation with the Canadian Pollution Prevention Centre, is able to assist association members with up-to-date information on technology and activities they may wish to incorporate into their operation at a minimal cost. This is an example of business helping business to eliminate pollution.

For more information, contact Anthony Pizans, Information Officer, Canadian Centre for Pollution Prevention, 265 North Front Street, Suite 112, Sarnia, ON N7T 7X1. (519)337-3423; fax (519)337-3486.

Environment Canada-Ontario Region, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Waterfront Regeneration Trust have initiated a project called Water Works 1997 -- How Investment in a Clean Environment Fosters Economic Opportunity -- Evidence from Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Waterfront Communities. The project intends to demonstrate why watershed restoration is a good investment for governments and stakeholders by drawing tangible links between environmental cleanup and economic development in Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River waterfront communities. A Water Works 1997 survey has been sent to over 300 communities to solicit information on waterfront use and development as well as the environmental restoration and protection activities that have enabled them to occur. This is the third in a series of Great Lakes waterfront surveys, previously undertaken by the Center for the Great Lakes.

The final product of Water Works 1997 will be a user-friendly report, to be completed by fall 1997, that will enable Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River policy makers and citizens to make persuasive arguments in favor of waterfront cleanup investments. The report will profile every community responding to the survey. This profile is an excellent means for marketing each community and promoting continued waterfront development.

If you have questions about the project, or wish to identify a key contact in your municipality to receive the Water Works 1997 survey, please contact Janet Brotton, Great Lakes Corporate Affairs Office, Environment Canada-Ontario Region, P.O. Box 5050, Burlington, ON L7R 4A6. (905)336.4954; fax (905)336.8901; email Jan.Brotton@cciw.ca.

In 1993, the Lake Erie License Plate Program was initiated and successfully achieved sales of nearly 15,500 license plates, thereby generating more than $232,000 (US) for Lake Erie research in that first year. The Lake Erie Protection Fund receives $15 directly from the sale of each plate toward the financing of research and implementation projects. The license plate features the Marblehead Lighthouse, one of the shores most historic landmarks. Increasing sales continue as Ohio motorists display their pride in their Great Lake and their support for its environmental protection.

Sales of the license plate have grown steadily each year since the programs inception with more than 49,000 sold in 1995, and nearly 70,000 expected to be sold after final count in 1996. This past years sales target, if met, would therefore generate a donation of over one million dollars to the Lake Erie Protection Fund for continued scientific research and remedial action. For more information, contact any deputy registrar location throughout the state, or call (800)589-TAGS. You can also visit the Ohio Lake Erie Office website which features the License Plate as well as the Lake Erie Protection Fund at www.epa.state.oh.us/oleo/index.html.

Revised: April 14, 1997
Maintained by Kevin McGunagle, mcgunaglek@ijc.wincom.net