From Great Lakes Wiki
The Great Lakes Regional Collaboration is a group of federal, state, local and tribal officials that banded in 2004 to ensure the sustainability of the Great Lakes. Over 1,500 people are now involved with GLRC.
In 2005, the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Strategy - a $26 billion federal-state plan to clean up and preserve the Great Lakes - was published by the group.
These are some of the goals, solutions and methods by which the plan should be enacted through legislators:
Enhancing Coastal Health
The GLRC reports that coastal waters are in danger from continued stormwater sewer outflow discharges and waterborne disease outbreaks which lead to beach closings and advisories. This obviously becomes detrimental in areas where recreation is a high priority. The Strategy proposes to eliminate harmful discharges of inadequately treated human and industrial wastes by:
- Improving wastewater treatment facilities
- Improving drinking water quality through protection of resources, and
- Developing more rapid and accurate tests for beach water safety.
Treating Areas of Concern
Forty three Areas of Concern were designated by a U.S.-Canadian Commission in 1987 around the Great Lakes Basin relating to impairments of fish quality, ability to drink and swim in water and various ecological impacts. The Strategy aims to clean these up by 2020 through financial support from Congress:
- $750 million over 5 years to clean up contaminated sediments in AOCs
- $50 million over 5 years to support local AOC councils
- $8.5 million over 5 years to the EPA Great Lakes National Program Office for regional coordination
- $3 million annually to fully fund the research and development program authorized by the Great Lakes Legacy Act
These are figures suggested by the study and may not be actual numbers necessary for the cleanup of AOCs
Reducing Non-Point Contamination Sources
Non-point contamination sources are inland wetlands and tributaries, both rural and urban, that lead into and affect the Great Lakes directly. The strategy recommends funds be provided to:
- Restore up to 550,000 acres of wetlands over 5 years, recognizing that 50 to 70 percent of historical wetlands have been lost
- Restore 35,000 acres of buffer areas in urban and suburban regions
- Reduce by 40 percent the soil loss in 10 specific watersheds*
- Support the progress of nutrient and manure management on livestock farms
- Seek hydrological improvements in 10 urban watersheds*
The report expects this to cost roughly $1 billion to $1.6 billion in the future.
*Likely cities include Duluth, Milwaukee, Green Bay, Gary, Detroit, Cleveland, Toledo and Buffalo
Toxic Pollutant Strategy
Though toxic pollutants have been greatly reduced in the Great Lakes region, the Strategy calls for the "virtual elimination of future discharges of any and all 'persistent toxic substances' (PTS), a significant reduction to exposure to PTS from historically contaminated sources, a reduction of toxic chemcials to the point where all restrictions on the consumption of fish from the lakes can be eliminated and protection of the health and integrity of wildlife populations..."
The report suggests targeting sources of mercury, PCBs, dioxins and new chemicals from entering the basin. It also supports efforts to reduce national and global sources of PTS to the Great Lakes.
Preserve Habitats and Enhance Conservation
The GLRC proposes $1.45 billion in spending over the next 5 years to ensure the vitality of wildlife habitats and conservation efforts. It says these areas play a critical role in maintaining local ecosystems as well as the social and economic well-being of surrounding areas.
Addressing Aquatic Invasive Species
The Strategy recommends roughly a billion dollars be spent over the next 5 years so as to preserve the introduction of new Great Lakes Invasive Species as well as containing existing ones.
Develop a System of Indicators and Information
According to the report, current efforts to monitor these problems are vastly underfunded. It estimates $350 million over 5 years will suffice in increasing measurements of research and information, doubling the the current budget of Great Lakes research as well as getting universities involved.
Assuring Sustainable Development
In conclusion, the GLRCS wants to ensure future development in the Great Lakes Basin is environmentally sustainable. It recommends that governments encourage this mindset among developers, that they manage the resources and planning of the area and that marketing programs are in place to get the public engaged.
Total Cost of Great Lakes Restoration Initiative
An estimated total cost of $26 billion will enact these improvements. The Strategy was used a basis for Congress to analyze and pass legislation on widespread improvements. The House and Senate passed a nation-wide water plan, including the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, President Bush vetoed the effort, but triumphantly, Congress has overridden the veto.
Source: Healthy Waters, Strong Economy: The Benefits of Restoring the Great Lakes Ecosystem
