This page provides an annotated listing of links to key documents for the 2006-07 review of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA) between Canada and the United States.

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Core GLWQA Documents [top]

Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA 1987) The current version of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (as amended by protocol in 1987) with a brief explanation of the document. The GLWQA was established under the authority of the 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty between Canada and the United States. The Great Lakes Atlas is also a useful reference.

A Guide to the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (IJC 2005) A background document produced by the International Joint Commission (IJC) for the 2006 governmental review. It was released in advance of the IJC's Fall 2005 public consultations (see Synthesis of Public Comment below).

Table of GLWQA Reporting Requirements (2002) Summary table of GLWQA reporting requirements compiled by a working group of IJC and government representatives. The list reflects a consensus of the work group on the status of reporting requirements in 2002.

GLWQA Review Process [top]

Final Agreement Review Report Approved By the Binational Executive Committee (2007) Three-volume report by the Agreement Review Committee finalized in 2007 and and subsequently approved by the Binational Executive Committee. The three volumes are 1) The Review of the Canada–U.S. Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (PDF 63 pp., 487 KB); 2) Final Review Working Group Reports to ARC (December 2006) (PDF 449 pp., 2773 KB); and 3) Compendium of Comments (PDF 161 pp., 2503 KB) received during the public consultation period May 14 – July 14, 2007.

Advice to Governments on Their Review of The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (IJC 2006) A special report to the governments of Canada and the United States from the IJC dated August 2006. Distributed to Review Working Groups in October 2006.

Synthesis of Public Comment on the Forthcoming Review by the Federal Governments of Canada and the United States of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement: A Report to the Governments of the United States and Canada (IJC 2006) Over 4,100 people took part in the IJC's Fall 2005 public comment process on the review of the Agreement. This January 2006 synthesis report reflects comments received during the 14 public meetings, Web dialogue, and other consultation activities. Since a number of participants prepared detailed comments, the Commission also included a CD-ROM with the full, unedited record of all public comments with its report (copies available upon request).

Terms of Reference for Review Working Groups (EPA & EC 2006) Terms of reference provided to the Review Working Groups at the April 28, 2006 kickoff meeting in Chicago.

Principles for the Review of the GLWQA (IJC 2005) IJC recommended these principles for the review of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. Recognizing requirements in Article X.4 of the Agreement, principles are organized by: operation and effectiveness and comprehensive.

12th Biennial Report (IJC 2004) The IJC Biennial Report triggering the current review of the GLWQA. References commitment by IJC to assist parties in the review.

Response of Canadian Government to the IJC 12th Biennial Report

Response of the U.S. Government to the IJC 12th Biennial Report

Great Lakes Declaration (IJC 2003) Great Lakes Declaration,International Joint Commission of the United States and Canada, 2003 Great Lakes Conference and Biennial Meeting, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA September 20, 2003. Referenced in 12th Biennial Report and addressing the review of the Agreement.

Advice to IJC [top]

2003 - 2005 Priorities Report (WQB, SAB, CGLRM, IAQAB - 2006) Full report from the IJC advisory boards and council. Chapter one advice about the review of the Agreement plus details from the entire report applicable to specific annexes and priority issues.(192 pages/5MB file size)

Review of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement; Chapter 1, 2003-2005 Priorities Report ( WQB,SAB,CGLRM, IAQAB - 2006) Chapter one of the 2003 - 2005 Prioritites Report details the advice and recommendations of the Great Lakes advisory boards and council regarding the review of the Agreement. (34 pages/491KB file size)

Findings of an Expert Consultation on Strengthening Science under a Renewed GLWQA (IJC-SAB 2006) Proceedings and recommendations of January 24-26, 2006, IJC Science Advisory Board's Workgroup on Emerging Issues expert consultation. Explored means by which science might be strengthened within a renewed GLWQA including institutional arrangements and IJC advisory board recommendations that would promote the use and integration of science in decision making.

Letter to IJC from Water Quality Board dated July 21, 2006 (IJC-WQB 2006) This letter transmits advice from the WQB to the IJC regarding the composition of its advisory boards, scope of the Agreement, and role of the Commission to inform the IJC's special report to the governments on the review of the Agreement.

Letter to IJC from Science Advisory Board dated July 31, 2006 (IJC-SAB 2006) This letter transmits preliminary advice from the SAB to the IJC regarding groundwater recommendations and Annex 16 of the Agreement. This follows the second of three groundwater consultation meetings organized by the SAB, and is intended to inform the IJC's special report to the governments on review of the Agreement.

Letter to IJC from Council of Great Lakes Research Managers dated August 1, 2006 (IJC-CGLRM 2006) Letter transmitting the Council's advice to the IJC regarding the composition of advisory boards and the Binational Executive Committee intended to inform the IJC's special report to the governments on the review of the Agreement.

Human Health and the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (IJC-HAG 2006) Final Report by the International Joint Commission’s Ad-Hoc Health Advisory Group, FEBRUARY 14, 2006. This report contains general and specific comments with respect to the characterization of human health in the existing Agreement and identified needs to enhance human health considerations in any future revision of the Agreement.

Science and the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (IJC-SAB 2004) Science Advisory Board advice to the IJC from a workshop held Feb 4-6, 2004 in Ann Arbor, Michigan to review of the Agreement from a scientific perspective. Attendees included Board members, invited experts, IJC scientific staff and the Canadian Co-chair of the Commission – a group of approximately 50 people.

Emerging Great Lakes Issues in the 21st Century (IJC-SAB 2003) The workshop identified issues of importance under the GLWQA over the next 25 years. Research, monitoring, and data analysis needs associated with identifying emerging issues were documented. It was noted that science can only be effective when institutional arrangements encourage its application in the decision-making process. A comprehensive review of the GLWQA needs to reflect a current vision of goals, priorities, and institutional arrangements. A science-based approach to the implementation of the Agreement is emphasized. Chapter 5, 2001-2003 Priorities Report.

Advice from Others [top]

The Future of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement: The ENGO Perspective (2007) The July 14, 2007, report presents 13 recommendations and policy discussions from 64 environmental nongovernmental organizations as part of the review of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.

Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement Review Environmental Community Discussion Paper (2006) This document was produced via consensus by concerned citizens, scientists and environmental group staff from conference calls held in April and May 2006. It addresses 8 issues related to the Agreement review, and was the result of a joint effort by the Alliance for the Great Lakes, the Biodiversity Project, the Canadian Law Association, and Great Lakes United.

Summary Results of Wingspread Conference on Renegotiation of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (Botts & Muldoon 2004) Summary of the January 2004 Wingspread Conference sponsored by the Canadian Law Association, the Lake Michigan Federation and the Johnson Foundation.

Pollution Probe Report - Recommendations on the Review of the GLWQA Phase One report to the IJC's Water Quality Board on review of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.

Pollution Probe Report - Recommendations on the Review of the GLWQA Phase Two report by Pollution Probe to the IJC's Water Quality Board regarding review of the GLWQA.

Pollution Probe Report - Recommendations on the Review of the GLWQA Phase Three (and Final) report from Pollution Probe to the IJC's Water Quality Board on the review of the GLWQA.

Draft Options Paper to the Binational Executive Committee on the Review of the Canada/U.S. Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (BEC 1999) Draft 94 page document prepared by the Binational Steering Committee with support from Annex Leads and their expert advisors during the 1999 review of the Agreement.

The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, An Evolving Instrument for Ecosystem Management (NRC and RSC 1985) Examination of the Agreement by a committee of experts from the U.S. National Research Council (NRC) and the Royal Society of Canada (RSC). This was the second phase of a study begun in 1984 in preparation for the review of the Agreement triggered by the IJC's third biennial report in 1986.

Review of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, Working Papers and Discussion (NRC 1984) First phase of a NRC study of the Agreement by the Water Science and Technology Board of the National Research Council. This reports on the proceedings of a conference conducted to identify the scientific, technical and institutional issues that would be the focus of an in-depth study conducted in the second phase of the project.

Reports & Resources Addressing Specific Annexes [top]

Protection of the Waters of the Great Lakes Review of Recommendations in the February 2000 Report (IJC 2004) Examination of governments response to each recommentation in the 2000 IJC report. Contains material relevant to the review of Annexes 16 (Groundwater) & 17 (Research) of the GLWQA.

Status of Restoration Activities in Great Lakes Areas of Concern (IJC 2003) IJC review of AOC activities with findings directly related to review of Annex 2 (Remedial Action Plans and Lakewide Management Plans) of the GLWQA.

11th Biennial Report (IJC 2002) This report reflects a commitment by the IJC to systematically review progress under specified annexes of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement completing work begun in the 10th Biennial Report. In particular, the Further Matters of Importance section covers: Annex 1 (Specific Objectives), Annex 2 (Areas of Concern and Lakewide Management Plans), Annex 3 (Phosphorus), Annex 7 (Dredging), Annex 8 (Discharge from Onshore and Offshore Facilities), Annex 10 (Hazardous Polluting Substances), Annex 12 (Persistent Toxic Substances), Annex 15 (Airborne Toxic Substances), Annex 16 (Groundwater), and Annex 17 (Research).

Response of the Government of Canada to the IJC 11th Biennial Report

Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Research Inventory (ongoing) The Research Inventory charts show the distribution of research projects and funding by annex of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. These charts are particularly instructive for discussion of Annex 17.

10th Biennial Report (IJC 2000) This report reflects the IJC commitment to systematically review progress under the annexes of the Agreement. The 10th Biennial Report discusses Annexes 2 (Remedial Action Plans and Lakewide Management Plans), 4 (Discharges of Oil and Hazardous Polluting Substances from Vessels), 5 (Discharges of Vessel Wastes), 6 (Review of POllution from Shipping Sources), 8 (Discharge from Onshore and Offshore Facilities), 9 (Joint Contingency Plan), 11 (Surveillance and Monitoring), 12 (Persistant Toxic Substances), 13 (Pollution from Non-Point Sources), 14 (Contaminated Sediment), and 15 (Airborne Toxic Substances), as well as invasive species and other issues.

Protection of the Waters of the Great Lakes (IJC 2000) Final IJC report issued in 2000 addressing the potential effects of bulk water removal, including removals for export, and with recommendations for the protection of the waters of the Great Lakes. Contains recommendations related to Annex 16 (Groundwater) and 17 (Research) of the GLWQA.

Review of Annex 1 of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (IJC-SAB 2001) Proceedings of a workshop sponsored by the Parties Implementation Work Group of the IJC's Science Advisory Board held in collaboration with the Great Lakes Commission. Report contains link to detailed background analysis of Annex 1 (Specific Objectives) conducted by Limno Tech, Inc. for the SAB.

Background Reports on Specific Issues [top]

DPSIR framework (Driving Forces, Pressure, State, Impacts, Response) Example (IJC-IAQAB 2005) The DPSIR (Driving forces, Pressures, States, Impacts and Responses)framework, developed by the European Environment Agency, is a tool under consideration by those working on the IJC Urbanization priority. The EEA has attempted to apply the framework to various ecological scenarios; some of their efforts are displayed on its website. Their descriptor of the framework can be found at EEA Website Link

Biodiversity Working Group: Habitat and Species Appendices (Great Lakes Regional Collaboration 2005) Largest and latest compilation of data related to Great Lakes biodiversity. See especially the technical appendix beginning on page 30. The full strategy document can be found at http://www.glrc.us/strategy.html.

Climate Change and Water Quality in the Great Lakes Basin (IJC-WQB 2003) WQB report addressing specific implications of climate change for beneficial uses identified in the GLWQA.

Review of Progress under the Canada-United States Great Lakes Binational Toxics Strategy (IJC-WQB 2001) November 2001 summary assessment of the Binational Toxics Strategy and its contribution toward achievement of virtual elimination of persistent toxic substances in the Great Lakes. Issues, areas, or directions that the Parties to the Strategy, and their partners, could take to achieve additional progress toward virtual elimination are discussed.

Workshop on Policy Implications of Evidence Regarding Persistent Toxic Substances and Human Health (IJC-SAB 1997) Report to the IJC's Science Advisory Board from the Workgroup on Ecosystem Health carried out as part of Board activities on persistent toxic substances and their impact on human and ecosystem health. Workshop held September 5-7, 1997 at the Wingspread Conference Center in Wisconsin.

Practical Steps to Implement an Ecosystem Approach in Great Lakes Management (EPA, EC, IJC & WSU 1994) A 1994 binational workshop was convened by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Environment Canada, in cooperation with the IJC and Wayne State University (Detroit, Michigan), to identify timely steps that could be taken to implement an ecosystem approach at the practical, working level of Great Lakes management.

Terms of Reference and Duties [top]

Terms of Reference for the IJC Water Quality Board Terms of reference for the IJC's Water Quality Board; link to the WQB web page which expands on the terms of reference listed in the current Agreement.

Reconstituted Task Force on Commission's Role and Priorities Under The Great Lakes Water quality Agreement (IJC 1991) Letter to Secretary of State James Baker with task force report approved by the Commission on April 9, 1991. This report addresses the changing role of the IJC following the Protocol signed in November 1987.

4th Biennial Report of the IJC (IJC 1988) Appendix A of the 4th Biennial Report contains a letter from the IJC that explains changes in the IJC's role following the 1987 Protocol.

Terms of Reference for the IJC Science Advisory Board Terms of reference for the IJC's Science Advisory Board; link to the SAB web page which expands on the terms of reference listed in the current agreement.

Terms of Reference for the IJC Council of Great Lakes Research Managers Terms of reference for the IJC's Council of Great Lakes Research Managers. This document relates to the discussion of Annex 17. The CGLRM's terms of reference are not included in the current Agreement.

Duties of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Great Lakes National Program Office Copy of the enacting legislation found in Title 33 of the U.S. Code. Section 1268 describes the duties carried out by GLNPO in support of the Agreement.

* Documents for the Governance and Institutions Workshop [top]

1. Core Workshop Documents (Complete Set) For the November 28-29, 2006 Governance and Institutions Workshop, two sets of the documents are provided. Set 1 are nine core documents included in this one convenient download (5 MB file; may take some time to open). Alternatively, below are individual links to each of these nine documents so they can be opened one at a time. The Set 2 documents follow these nine links.

*Terms of Reference for the Joint Institutions and the Great Lakes Regional Office The current version of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (as amended by protocol in 1987) includes these terms of reference for the Joint Institutions—Great Lakes Water Quality Board and Great Lakes Science Advisory Board—and the Great Lakes Regional Office.

*Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement Articles VII, VIII, and IX The current version of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (as amended by the protocol in 1987) includes Articles VII (Powers, Responsibilities and Functions of the International Joint Commission), VIII (Joint Institutions and Regional Office), and IX (Submission and Exchange of Information).

*Terms of Reference for GLWQA Review Working Groups (EPA & EC 2006) Revised terms of reference (August 2006) provided to the GLWQA Review Working Groups

*Terms of Reference for the Binational Executive Committee Terms of Reference for the Binational Executive Committee, approved in 1995 (revised in 1999).

*Terms of Reference for SOLEC and the SOLEC Steering Committee Terms of Reference for SOLEC and the SOLEC Steering Committee, approved by the Binational Executive Committee, December 2001

*Terms of Reference for the Council of Great Lakes Research Managers Terms of Reference for the Council of Great Lakes Research Managers, approved by the International Joint Commission on October 23, 1996 (updated, January 2004).

*The Great Lakes Binational Toxics Strategy The Canada – United States strategy for the virtual elimination of persistent toxic substances in the Great Lakes.

*Advice to Governments on Their Review of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (ICJ 2006) A special report from the IJC to the governments of Canada and the United States dated August 2006. Distributed to Review Working Groups in October 2006.

*Synthesis of Public Comment on the Forthcoming Review by the Federal Governments of Canada and the United States of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement: A Report to the Governments of the United States and Canada (IJC 2006) Over 4,100 people took part in the IJC's Fall 2005 public comment process on the review of the Agreement. This January 2006 synthesis report reflects comments received during the 14 public meetings, web dialogue, and other consultation activities. Since a number of participants prepared detailed comments, the Commission also included a CD-ROM with the full, unedited record of all public comments with its report (copies available upon request).

2. Background Workshop Documents (Complete Set) Four background documents for the Governance and Institutions Workshop are included in this one convenient download (12 MB file; may take some time to open). Alternatively, below are individual links to each of these four background documents so they can be opened one at a time.

*Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA 1997) The current version of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (as amended by protocol in 1987) with a brief explanation of the document. The GLWQA was established under the authority of the 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty between Canada and the United States.

*IJC Task Force Report to the Governments (May 8, 1991) Report and recommendations of the reconstituted task force on the Commission’s role and priorities under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement after the 1987 amendment by Protocol.

*Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement Review Environmental Community Discussion Paper (June, 2006) This discussion document covers eight issues related to the current government review of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. The review is open to public involvement through fall 2006, with an official public comment period to follow in Spring 2007.

*Website Links to Online Governance and Institutions Background Documents This document houses a number of additional web links to background reading materials for the November 28-29, 2006 Governance & Institutions Workshop.

Other [top]

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