H2O NOW! It's Your Turn to Speak Out Click Here to Comment.

Image donated by Mark Burrows Image donated by Jim Nies Image donated by Kalmin Csia, Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy Image donated by Kalmin Csia, Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy Image donated by Jim Nies

"H2O NOW" About the Biennial Meeting

The theme of the 2011 Great Lakes Water Quality Biennial Meeting was "H2O NOW" emphasizing the pressing need for action to protect and restore the Great Lakes. Just as important, "H2O NOW" applies to everyone with a role to play -- to the public, to industry, to environmental organizations and government. More than 600 activists, experts and interested members of the public from throughout the Great Lakes basin gathered in Detroit from October 12th to 14th to learn about the latest research regarding critical threats to water quality, to share ideas and solutions and to join in the collaborative process of producing the 16th Biennial Report. Attendees heard from a wide range of speakers, including US EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson and former Vice President Al Gore.
As the U.S. and Canada reach the final stage of negotiations regarding an updated Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, the Biennial Meeting was for the first time held in conjunction with annual meetings of the Great Lakes Commission and the Healing Our Waters Coalition, among other organizations. Brought together under the rubric, Great Lakes Week Detroit 2011, the various gatherings brought more than 1000 people to Detroit to focus on protecting and restoring the lakes.

Great Lakes Priority Reports

For the past two years, experts from the Water Quality Board, Science Advisory Board, Council of Great Lakes Research Managers, Health Professionals Task Force and International Air Quality Advisory Board (and other expers) have been developing findings and recommendations regarding six key research areas: the Nearshore Framework; Chemicals of Emerging Concern, Harmful/Nuisance Algae; Aquatic Invasive Species; Benefits and Risks of Fish Consumption; and Beaches Recreational Water Quality. Draft reports are now posted and available for public comment. Read the reports, watch the videos and make sure to provide your views, using the comments page. Following the Biennial Meeting and the incorporation of comments received, these reports will become the foundation of a special IJC report to governments, highlighting key findings and top recommendations for immediate action.

Comment on proposed priorities for 2011-2013

Every two years, the IJC adopts priority topics for study over a two-year cycle. Click here to read about the proposed priorities for 2011-2013 and visit the comments page to provide your views.

Don't Miss Out Comment Now!

Now that the 2011 Great Lakes Water Quality Biennial Meeting is over, it's now your turn to speak out. We heard comments from the hundreds of activists gathered in Detroit, but we still need to hear from you. Make sure to read the six work group reports, the draft report assessing progress since 1987 (see story and report below) and the potential priorities for the 2011-2013 cycle (also below). Then, visit our "comments page" to let us know what you think. Your comments will help inform the 16th Biennial Report on Great Lakes Water Quality.

Watch the Videos

Detroit Public Television covered the Biennial Meeting and other meetings at Great Lakes Week visit the Video Stream page to watch the coverage.

Great Lakes Health: Getting Better, Getting Worse, and Holding Steady

published by admin on Thu, 2011-10-13 08:41

Download the report

IJC releases draft report for public review on assessing progress under Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement

Public Invited to Comment on 2011-2013 Priorities

published by nevin.j on Tue, 2011-05-10 22:58

Under the Canada-US Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, the International Joint Commission establishes a set of research priorities every two years. During this "biennial cycle" expert work groups made up of representatives from IJC boards and outside scientists examine specific issues of concern, review available literature and conduct new research. This work is supported by scientists and staff at the IJC Great Lakes Regional Office in Windsor.

Location: Wayne State University, Detroit Michigan

All Biennial Meeting events will be held on the campus of Wayne State University in Detroit. Most workshops will be held the historic McGregor Memorial Conference Center, designed by Minoru Yamasaki, who later designed the World Trade Center. Plenary sessions will be held next door in the Community Arts Auditorium. The conference hotel is the Roberts Riverwalk Hotel & Residence Detroit.






About the International Joint Commission of the U.S. and Canada

The International Joint Commission prevents and resolves disputes between the United States of America and Canada under the 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty and pursues the common good of both countries as an independent and objective advisor to the two governments.

Photo credits: Jim Nies, Kalmin Csia and Mark Burrows. Theme by Danetsoft and Danang Probo Sayekti inspired by Maksimer, customized by Mirza Busatlic.