1. GLWQA 2012 Highlights
Michael Goffin, Environment Canada
– and –
Susan Hedman, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency
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2. Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement
1972
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3. Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement -
Over Time
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4. Amended GLWQA Agreement
Signed Sept 7, 2012
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5. 2012 GLWQA Amendments
To read or download the entire text:
Environment Canada:
http://www.ec.gc.ca/grandslacs-greatlakes/
Environmental Protection Agency:
http://www.epa.gov/glnpo/glwqa/
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6. 2012 GLWQA Amendments
Existing Approaches Retained
• Bi-national efforts focused on
Areas of Concern, lakewide
management, vessels,
chemicals , and nutrients
• Bi-national principles (e.g.,
virtual elimination)
• Domestic implementation
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7. 2012 GLWQA Amendments - What’s New
• Expanded scope to address full range of issues
that impact Great Lakes water quality
• Increased emphasis on pollution prevention
• New issues: nearshore, aquatic invasives,
habitat, climate change impacts
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8. Engagement under the GLWQA
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9. Engagement under the GLWQA
• Great Lakes Public
Forum
• New Great Lakes Executive Committee
with expanded membership to advise
Parties
• Specific commitments throughout to
consult
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10. Areas of Concern
Restore beneficial uses in Areas of Concern
through implementation of Remedial Action Plans
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11. Lakewide Management
• Assess each lake and address water quality
threats on lakewide scale
• Develop a binational nearshore assessment
and management framework
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12. Chemicals of Mutual Concern
Reduce anthropogenic release of chemicals of
mutual concern
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13. Nutrients
Coordinate binational actions to manage
phosphorus concentrations and loadings --
and other nutrients, if warranted
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14. Discharges from Vessels
Prevent and control vessel discharges harmful
to the quality of the Waters of the Great Lakes
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15. Aquatic Invasive Species
Prevent the introduction of AIS, control or
reduce the spread of existing AIS, and eradicate
existing AIS where feasible
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16. Habitat and Species
Conserve, protect, maintain, restore and enhance
the resilience of native species and their habitat
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17. Groundwater
Coordinate groundwater science
and management actions
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18. Climate Change Impacts
Co-ordinate efforts to identify,
quantify, understand and predict
climate change impacts and share
information
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19. Science
Enhance coordination, integration, synthesis,
and assessment of science activities
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20. GLWQA Implementation
Structure and Management
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21. Great Lakes Executive Committee
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22. Great Lakes Executive Committee
• Annex Subcommittees
• Binational Secretariat
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23. DRAFT Timeline for Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement Activities
• FORUM • FORUM
• 1ST
• SUMMIT • SUMMIT
GLEC • GLEC • GLEC • GLEC • GLEC • GLEC • GLEC • GLEC • GLEC • GLEC
• SOLEC • SOLEC
• IJC • IJC
Dec ’12 Jun ‘13 Sep ’13 Dec ‘13 Mar ’14 Jun ’14 Dec ’14 Jun ‘15 Dec ’15 Jun ‘16 Sep ’16 Dec ’16 Mar ‘17 Jun’17
Priorities for
Science and Priorities for
Action (every 3 Progress Report
of the Parties Science and SOLEC
yrs thereafter) Action
(every 3 yrs Report
SOLEC thereafter)
Report
(every 3 yrs
thereafter)
IJC Assessment
of Progress
(every 3 yrs
thereafter)
Draft 12/21/2012

24. Implementing GLWQA through
Domestic Mechanisms
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25. Implementing GLWQA through
Domestic Mechanisms - CANADA
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26. Implementing GLWQA through
Domestic Mechanisms – CANADA
• Randle Reef – Hamilton Harbour
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27. Implementing GLWQA through
Domestic Mechanisms – CANADA
• Great Lakes Nutrient Initiative
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28. Implementing GLWQA through
Domestic Mechanisms – CANADA
• Lake Simcoe South-Eastern Georgian Bay
Clean-Up Fund
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29. Implementing GLWQA through
Domestic Mechanisms – CANADA
• Asian Carp Initiative
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30. Implementing GLWQA through
Domestic Mechanisms – CANADA
• Areas of Concern
PENINSULA HARBOUR AOC
NIPIGON BAY AOC
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31. Implementing GLWQA through
Domestic Mechanisms – CANADA
BAY OF QUINTE AOC
• Areas of Concern
NIAGARA RIVER AOC
ST. LAWRENCE RIVER AOC
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32. Implementing GLWQA through
Domestic Mechanisms – CANADA
• Canada-Ontario Agreement Respecting
the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem (COA)
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33. Implementing GLWQA through
Domestic Mechanisms – U.S.
CLEAN WATER ACT
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34. Implementing GLWQA through
Domestic Mechanisms – U.S.
Clean Water Act Consent Decrees
to Control Combined Sewer Overflows

35. Implementing GLWQA through
Domestic Mechanisms – U.S.
Investment in Green Infrastructure

36. Implementing GLWQA through
.
Domestic Mechanisms – U.S.
Clean Water Act §319
Total Maximum Daily Loads

37. Implementing GLWQA through
Domestic Mechanisms – U.S.
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38. Implementing GLWQA through
Domestic Mechanisms – U.S.
GLRI Priority: Combating Invasive Species
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39. Implementing GLWQA through
Domestic Mechanisms – U.S.
GLRI Priority: Impaired Watersheds
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40. GLRI Priority: Impaired
Watersheds
Lower Fox River, WI
Saginaw River, MI
Maumee River, OH

41. Implementing GLWQA through
Domestic Mechanisms – U.S.
GLRI Priority: Cleaning Up Areas of Concern

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44. Environment Canada:
http://www.ec.gc.ca/grandslacs-greatlakes/
Environmental Protection Agency:
http://www.epa.gov/glnpo/glwqa/
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