Lake Superior Binational Program andLakewide Management Plan

Lynelle Hanson

Lake Superior Binational Forum Meeting

Ashland, Wisconsin

March 23, 2012

Strong history of cooperation in Lake Superior management

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• Signed in 1972 with a focus on nutrients; phosphorus in Lake Erie

• Revised in 1978 with additional focus on toxics

• Revision in 1987 introduced Lakewide Management Plans (LaMP) and Areas of Concern (AOC)

• Renegotiation currently underway 2009 - 2012

Purpose to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the waters of the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem

Canada-U.S. Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement

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IJC

Boundary Waters Treaty (1909)

Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement

Canada-U.S.

Great Lakes Management between Canada-U.S.

LaMP Implementation background

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IJC

Boundary Waters Treaty (1909)

Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement

Canada-U.S.

Great Lakes Management between Canada-U.S.

Great Lakes Management in Canada

LaMP Implementation canadian support

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LaMP Implementationunited states support

IJC

Boundary Waters Treaty (1909)

Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement

Canada-U.S.

Great Lakes Management in United StatesGreat Lakes Management between Canada-U.S.

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Program announced in 1991 to restore and protect the Lake Superior basin

A partnership of federal, state, provincial, First Nation and tribal governments who work together with citizens to protect the Lake

LaMP Implementationlake superior binational program

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LaMP Implementationgovernance

Binational Executive Committee

Task Force

Superior Work Group LS Binational Forum

Great Lakes Community

Action Committees

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LaMP Implementation binational strategies

Zero-Discharge Demonstration Program

The Broader Program Ecosystem Goals and Sub-goals Lake Superior Aquatic Invasive Species Complete

Prevention Plan To prevent new aquatic invasive species from entering and becoming established in Lake Superior.

Lake Superior Ecosystem Climate Change Adaptation Plan

Purpose to to identify the additional actions necessary for Lake Superior’s habitats, species, and water quality to best adapt to a changing climate.

Ecosystem GoalsOutcomes

Diverse, healthy and self-sustaining native plant and animal communities exist in the Lake Superior basin.

A program is in place to monitor the abundance, distribution, and health of plant and animal populations and communities in the Lake Superior basin.

Native species populations are at appropriate levels throughout the Lake Superior basin.

 No new non-native, harmful invasive species are introduced into the Lake Superior basin.

Air and water quality are restored. Water quantity and soils are conserved.

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Commitments

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A Vision for Lake Superior

As citizens of Lake Superior we believe… that water is life and the quality of water determines the quality of life.

We see a Lake Superior watershed… that is a clean, safe environment where diverse life forms exist in harmony;

where the environment can support and sustain economic development and where the citizens are committed to regional cooperation and personal philosophy of stewardship;

that is free of toxic substances that threaten fish, wildlife and human health; where people can drink the water or eat the fish anywhere in the lake without restrictions;

where wild shorelines and islands are maintained and where development is well planned, visually pleasing, biologically sound, and conducted in an environmentally benign manner;

which recognizes that environmental integrity provides the foundation for a healthy economy and that the ingenuity which results from clean, innovative and preventive management and technology can provide for economic transformation of the region;

where citizens accept the personal responsibility and challenge of pollution prevention in their own lives and lifestyles and are committed to moving from a consumer society to a conserver society; and

where there is greater cooperation, leadership and responsibility among citizens of the basin for defining long-term policies and procedures which will protect the quality and supply of water in Lake Superior for future generations.