For each annex topic they also assessed the health and trends in the lakes. The status of aquatic invasive species in the Great Lakes was rated as poor and deteriorating, for example, with 189 introduced since 1839 and all impacting the ecosystem at moderate or higher levels. While no new invasives have entered the lakes in the past decade due to ballast water regulations, other pathways have emerged.
The IJC livestreamed the conference in partnership with Detroit Public Television and TVO, and videos are available at ParticipateIJC.org. You also can read the governments’ progress report and provide your comments at ParticipateIJC.org.
The IJC hosted two sessions during the Forum. On the second afternoon, after participants had listened to the governments’ progress reports on each Agreement topic, citizens provided input to the IJC on their views of Agreement progress. Several major issues were addressed repeatedly across geographic and demographic groups:
-- the need for more and enhanced public engagement by governments, which was identified as slow, process-oriented, underfunded, and often missing the voices of those communities where the least Agreement progress has occurred
-- greater involvement of indigenous communities in all aspects of Agreement processes and organizations
-- improved funding, coordination, and regulations for integrated watershed management to protect nearshore habitats and wetlands
-- an expedited, improved process to identify, monitor and implement regulations and action plans for chemicals of mutual concern
-- the need to consider radionuclides and radioactive nuclear waste from energy production as a chemical of mutual concern, and take action to prevent their storage in the basin
-- a lack of specifics in the governments’ progress report on timeframes, locations for actions, and implementation funding for nutrient management. Recommendations included focusing solutions in proportion to identified nutrient pollution sources, using innovative solutions, and using existing regulations to spur action
-- the need to develop adaptation actions as a result of climate change, with heightened binational commitment to research and action
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The IJC also held an evening public meeting at Toronto’s City Hall to focus on local and regional efforts to restore the collective Toronto watershed and Lake Ontario.
After presentations by five local experts in the areas of waterfront restoration, the Toronto area Remedial Action Plan (RAP), wastewater treatment and combined sewer overflows, toxic contaminants, and fish habitat, attendees divided into small groups to discuss findings and recommendations in these topics.
Regional efforts to develop a waterfront trail that brings residents back to the lake were highlighted as a major success story, as was progress under the RAP. Green infrastructure was listed as a priority, as was education and outreach to improve awareness of combined sewer overflows and their impact on the lake’s nearshore region and recreational uses. While the region moves forward to upgrade its wastewater systems, participants recommended that outfall pipes are extended to prevent sewer overflows from contaminating beaches and other areas where residents can enjoy recreation and near valuable fish habitat. A summary report of the meetings is available here.
Milwaukee meetings
Two weeks after the Forum, the IJC travelled to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to hear citizen perspectives on the western side of the basin about the status of the Great Lakes, and learn about successes and challenges in that city’s watershed and Lake Michigan.
After a tour of the Milwaukee waterfront and river harbor where commissioners and staff learned about community efforts to transform the area from an industrial port to a mixed-use area for industrial, residential, recreational and natural habitat uses, several scientists from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s School of Freshwater Sciences presented their latest findings to the IJC and interested citizens. Presentations ranged from an overview of changes in Lake Michigan over the last 20 years to the impact of future climate change variability on lake levels, unforeseen consequences of dreissenid mussels, cladophora and avian botulism, source tracking bacteria, aging infrastructure and beach health, long-term generation impacts of mercury exposure, improving hypoxia and hypereutrophication in Green Bay and the complexities of engaging stakeholders in these issues. To view their presentations, go to this link.
That evening, citizens joined with IJC, scientists and community experts to consider the status of various local initiatives. Presentations highlighted programs to develop green infrastructure, the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District’s 2035 Vision to respond to a growing community and the effects of climate change, the city’s Water Centric Cities Initiative for sustainable growth, citizen-based water monitoring, nutrient reduction, and the status of the state’s waters. In small group discussions, participants discussed these topics further and developed a series of findings and recommendations for action on a local and basinwide basis. Read the summary report here.
The IJC is considering all of the valuable information received over the course of these meetings as it prepares a draft report on progress to restore and protect the Great Lakes. To be part of the conversation and receive updates on this assessment, visit ParticipateIJC.org.
Sally Cole-Misch is the public affairs officer at the IJC’s Great Lakes Regional Office in Windsor, Ontario.
Allison Voglesong is the Michigan Sea Grant fellow, also at the IJC’s Great Lakes Regional Office.
Sally Cole-Misch is the public affairs officer for the IJC’s Great Lakes Regional Office.
Allison Voglesong is the Michigan Sea Grant fellow at the IJC’s Great Lakes Regional Office.