November/December 1997
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November/December 1997 |
In this year commemorating the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, reflections on the past and visions for the future were expressed by participants from the public, governments and IJC boards at the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement Public Forum held November 1-2, 1997. Despite differing opinions on the direction and scope of work still needed to achieve the desired goals of the Agreement, most of those in attendance at the meeting in Niagara Falls, Ontario would agree that we have come far in the last 25 years.
The majority of the two-day meeting was dedicated to giving public participants the opportunity to voice their views regarding Agreement progress as well as other topics of concern. Photo 1 First Nations and Native American Tribes Representatives Jackie Warledo, Greenpeace Native Lands Toxics Campaign and Pam Skye, Grand River Polytechnic Institute address Commissioners regarding their concerns during a half hour presentation by a panel which also included Maxine Cole, EAGLE Project and Tom Goldtooth, Indigenous Environmental Network. Photo 2 Tanya Cabala, Michigan Director of the Lake Michigan Federation provides testimony of her opposition to proposed directional oil drilling in Lake Michigan to Commissioners and the Forum audience of over 500 while Edith Chase waits for her turn at the microphone. Photo 7 Tim Eder, National Wildlife Federation discusses his concerns about the state of the Great Lakes while Russell Bimber waits to inform audience about the Diamond Shamrock property on Lake Erie. Photo 5 Student Monica Roman speaks on behalf of the 1997 Student Environmental Summit held in Buffalo, New York. Photo 10 Students from Erie, Pennsylvania report on a two-year project to identify and address water quality issues in their watershed. Photo 6 Eleanor Dudar from the Environmental Education office of the Toronto Board of Education addresses the Commissioners. Photo 4 John Jackson speaks on behalf of Great Lakes United as Commission U.S. Chairman Tom Baldini listens.
On Saturday morning, the governments of the United States and Canada reported jointly to the Commissioners and public on Agreement progress from their program and policy perspective. Photo 3 U.S. Region 5 Acting Administrator Dave Ullrich speaks on behalf of the U.S. government.
During the Forum, IJC advisory boards spoke to the public about their work and particular issues they want public feedback on. Photo 11 Theo Colborn presents on behalf of the Great Lakes Science Advisory Board. Photo 14 Participants wait their turn at the microphone during the question and answer portion of the IJC advisory boards' presentations.
Almost 300 guests joined IJC, U.S. EPA and Environment Canada in Niagara Falls, New York at a dinner celebrating the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. Photo 9 As a convocation, the Cayuga Singers from the Council of Iroquois presented guests with native drumming and song.
Photo 8 IJC Commissioners are joined by keynote speakers John Garamendi, deputy secretary U.S. Department of the Interior (far left) and John Fraser, Canadian ambassador for the environment (second from right).
During a separate event commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the Agreement, visions for the future of the Great Lakes 25 years hence, from students, Great Lakes organizations and individuals, along with samples of water from each of the Great Lakes were buried in a time capsule at Fort Erie, Ontario on the shore of Lake Erie were it flows into the Niagara River. Photo 13 Students from Buffalo, New York whose vision of the Great Lakes was included in the capsule pose around the boulder marking the site.
As part of IJC's ongoing consultation with the public, a roundtable was held on the human health effects from persistent toxic substances in the Great Lakes on Friday before the Agreement Public Forum. Photo 12 (from left and proceeding clockwise) John Mills, regional director general, Ontario Region, Environment Canada; Alice Chamberlin, U.S. Commissioner; Mary Ginne-baugh, Detroit, Michigan; Tom Henry, Toledo Blade; Edith Chase, Great Lakes activist; and Terry Yonker, executive director, Lake Erie Alliance discuss the issue during a breakout session.
Revised: 24 December 1997
Maintained by Kevin McGunagle,
mcgunaglek@ijc.wincom.net