ANNOUNCEMENT

January 30, 2002

Review of the Great Lakes Binational Toxics Strategy

Now available on the International Joint Commission’s web site is the Great Lakes Water Quality Board’s review of the Canada-United States Great Lakes Binational Toxics Strategy.

The review, undertaken at the request of the Commission, addressed four questions:

1. Has the Strategy achieved its purpose?
2. Has the Strategy Fulfilled its Four Steps?
3. Have the Strategy’s Specific Challenges Been Met?
4. Has the Strategy Contributed to Achievement of virtual Elimination?

In addition to answering these questions, the report provides advice and recommendations regarding future directions. Underpinning the report’s findings are comprehensive quantitative and qualitative assessments undertaken by Thompson Gow & Associates.

The findings and advice contained in the report should be beneficial to the Strategy and to others working to virtually eliminate persistent toxic substances.

The International Joint Commission is an international organization established by the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 to prevent and resolve disputes over the use of waters shared by the United States and Canada.

Contacts:

Marty Bratzel

Windsor, Ontario

(519) 257-6740