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Comments Regarding the Priority Work Group Reports
Robert Sanborn on Aquatic Invasive Species: I am a great believer in finding the root cause of a problem and removing it. Your approach is to create groups that can react quicker to new threats. How about this as a goal: If an approach is chosen to combat an invasive species, a chemical polution, or other problem, it must identify the root cause, outline an approach to eliminating it, and specify a time frame for implementation. For example: If ocean going ships are bringing in foreign wildlife, stop the ships from entering the great lakes. They could stop at a dock on the St. Lawrence and be unloaded to trucks for the final delivery. This happens ultimately, why not just a little earlier? If you have a power plant pumping mercury laden, heated water into a lake or river, map out a plan on how they could recycle their own cooling water.
I am old enough to remember Hooker chemical and the paper mill in Muskegon causing the sickness and death of hundreds of people. The poluters are now gone and the cancer and respritory diseases have subsided. I remember the lamphrey eel and alewives and other invasive species. Can't we learn from this and stop it at the source?
If your house is cold in the winter, you can keep buying a bigger furnace or you can insulate. Let's fix the problem.
joe barrett on Beaches and Recreational Water Quality: Our beaches on Lake Erie and the Niagara River as well as the sandy islands such as Strawberry Island are shrinking because of the natural replenishment action of moving ice flows has been stopped by the ice boom. The near shore sand has also become loaded with organic waste and is no longer suitable for spawning beds. Read more at www.bantheboom.com and the related links. Thank you. Joe Barrett
Patricia A. Marida on Chemicals of Emerging Concern: Read Comment
Matt Trokan on Chemicals of Emerging Concern: Read Comment
Phil Moy on Aquatic Invasive Species: The AIS report should include a recommendation or include specifically as part of the bi-national response plan development of response tools. The recommendations appear to assume that tools/methods are available to respond to a newly discovered species. With the exception of plants, this is unrealistic. We need additional response tools and we need to improve the ones we do have.
Scott Piggott on Harmful/Nuisance Algae: I attended the “Nuisance and Harmful Algae” session of the IJC Biennial meeting in Detroit and have read the report of the same name. I found the fuzzy cognitive models to be less than helpful and hard to understand. I appreciated the general premise that data is limited to link any one source to the harmful algae. I represent many farmers in Michigan and do appreciate efforts of the IJC to promote nutrient management planning and soil conservation programs. I ask the IJC to investigate open support for state certainty programs that work with farmers to verify nutrient management practices in accordance with federal, state and academic standards. The Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program or MAEAP is such a program. I would encourage the IJC and her partners in openly promoting and supporting these programs. Respectfully submitted, Scott Piggott Michigan Farm Bureau
Dale Phenicie - Council of Great Lakes Industries on Chemicals of Emerging Concern: Read Comment
Dale Phenicie - Council of Great Lakes Industries on Fish Consumption: Read Comment
Dale Phenicie - Council of Great Lakes Industries on Harmful/Nuisance Algae: Read Comment
Carolyn Foley on Nearshore Framework: Read Comment
Carolyn Foley on Chemicals of Emerging Concern: Read Comment
Jessica Steinhilber on Fish Consumption: Read Comment
Mary Cowling on Priorities 2011-2013: I understand that Ontario is home to close to 20% of the world's potable water. This is one of the most precious gifts that we have been given and it should be a priority of this government and that of our neighbours in USA to do everything in their power to preserve something that countries worldwide would pay dearly for. The erection of Industrial Wind Turbines (IWT's) in the Great Lakes and in other areas such, as the Oak Ridges Moraine, would be a tragedy. Disrupting the aquifer by blasting and depositing hundreds of tons of concrete that would leach chemicals into our fresh water supplies could spell disaster for this very special commodity. It is imperative that we stop further construction of of IWT's immediately. They make no sense environmentally and financially. Thank you; Mary Cowling Concerned Citizen
susan gateley on Priorities 2011-2013: Recent reports that the city of Niagara Falls is requesting a determination from NY's DEC about whether they can adequately treat shale gas frack fluid in their city plant before discharging it into the Niagara River has me wondering if this should be a priority concern. can Frack fluid back flow from wells containing brines, low levels of radiation and a variety of chemicals be adequately treated by charcoal filtration as the city claims? Can the volumes they are likely to take be dealt with? We've made some progress on reducing point sources of chemical pollution in the Great Lakes and this sure seems like a big step backwards if we take it. I live on the south shore and have heard about ten million Canadians and Americans use Lake Ontario for drinking water. NYC with about 8 million water drinkers successfully lobbied for special treatment under gas fracking regulation. There were obviously some concerns about it in drinking water! Should we be worried up here too?
Ohio Sierra Club on Chemicals of Emerging Concern: Read Comment
CORA on Fish Consumption: Read Comment
S.(Ziggy) Kleinau on Chemicals of Emerging Concern: Please seriously consider to re-establish the 1995 IJC Nuclear Task Force to examine the radioactive and chemical effects on our Great Lakes and the St.Lawrence Ecosystem. After another 16 years of continuous operation of quickly aging nuclear reactors the public needs to know the effects of those dangerous elements routinely released into air and water on their drinking water, their fishing and swimming. There is no ducking away from establishing the statistics, especially after the Task Force strongly recommended ongoing monitoring and accounting! Please urge the Parties to make the funds available to put an independent expert team together and expedite the work. Another request I would like to put forward is: Since there is increasing pressure from the nuclear industry to save storage space and costs for irradiated components from reactor refurbishments to ship these dangerous, deadly cargoes across our Great Lakes to so-called recycling operations, this must urgently be opposed to safeguard our precious water resource from irreparable harm! There is no known way to remove radioactive pollution from water. I am urging the Chairs and Commissioners to seriously caution the Parties from permitting waterborne or any transports of that deadly cargo.
John E. Gannon on Priorities 2011-2013: Indicators: The thrust of this proposed initiative in misdirected. The IJC has no capacity to collect its own data for indicators or anything else that is human and fiancial resources intensive, unless given a reference by the governments to do so. The IJC should continue to constructively criticize the governments if it perceives that SOLEC or other indicator programs conducted by agencies or academia are providing insufficient data and information for the IJC to assess and evaluate Agreement progress. The IJC's own assessment and evaluation should focus on: 1). Canadian and U.S. PROGRAMS and their adequacy (or lack thereof) in providing the data and information the IJC needs to assess Agreement progress (this should go way beyond indicators), and 2). evaluate indicators the IJC considers important in doing its assessment of Agreement progress from a binational perspective. There are so few indicators that are truly binational. Focus on what IJC can do to be value-added in elevating the importance of selected binational indicators and the ways and means of improving their implementation by governments. Prevention: There are some meritorious elements here. Charge the Science Advisory Board to develop its 2011-2013 draft work plan around the prevention theme for Commission review, comment, revisions (as necessary) and approval. Adaptive Management: The nearshore framework and adaptive management themes largely were developed by the Water Quality Board prior to formation of the multiboard work groups. Both of these issues are still too conceptual in the 2009-2011 work group report. Charge the Water Quality Board to develop its 2011-2013 draft work plan for Commission review and approval to provide a recommended road map necessary to move these two initiatives from concept to binational implementation. Tools for Coordination and Capacity: The Council of Great Lakes Research Managers has been working on aspects of coordination and capacity for many years and has the experience and expertise to do so in 2011-2013. Capacity should include the human side of research and monitoring. I believe the Council last did a survey of personnel trends, retirements and retention of graduate students in the early to mid-1990's; this should be repeated in 2011-2013. Charge the Council to develop its 2011-2013 draft work plan around the coordination and capacity theme for the Commission's review and approval. Only the state of science on pathogens is misplaced in the Priority Proposals; this should be referred to the Science Advisory Board for their consideration.
Robert Dunn on Beaches and Recreational Water Quality: Les Cheneaux Islands hopes your IJC commission does much more to regulate the outward flow of water from Lake Huron into the lower lakes. Sure .. commercial shippers love this higher water on Lake Erie .... but this conveyance of water was never intended or authorized. Shorefront owners here are devastated by the affects of lower water ... shore accessibility is far more difficult for boaters, property value declines, our wetlands are turning into meadows .. as invasive species along with algae are thriving. PLEASE STOP CONVEYANCE OF LAKE HURON WATER !
Sue on Harmful/Nuisance Algae: Read Comment
Sally Sessler on Beaches and Recreational Water Quality: I am not able to download the complete report but I support water quality in Lake Ontario. I have property on the Eastern Shore and I very often swim in the Lake during the summer as does my family. It is important to me to maintain the water quality of the lake. Several landowners in my area have noticed an increase in trash washing up on the beaches in the last few years. This is very disturbing. We find tampon applicators and syringes among other debris.
Jack Turan on Aquatic Invasive Species: In the past 8 to 10 years the Zebra Mussels and the last four or five years the Golby fish population have really impacted Lake Ontario. Is there evidence that the Golbys are eating the Zebra mussels? I have heard that but have not heard anything to confirm that. Even if so, what are eating the Golby's? I heard the smallmouth bass are starting to eat them, but there are so many Golby's that it has impacted the ability to fish for bass. Bass fishing in Lake Ontario was way off the summer of 2011.
rJanelTrenam on Aquatic Invasive Species: Not so loud, and Julie, sliding on her knees by the blanket, laid a caution fist on Kathleen's mouth. she claimed ardently, and staa1000101 consequently a little nervously she uttered his designation, Well, Mr Burton? seagate 1tb external hard drive Henry's eyeballs bulged as he considered the 3 gentlemen, but Miller's way desisted the ejaculation upon his mouth. A conventional chase today commenced, and our team glided down in to iomega prestige review the bay, and involved the ship and batteries, as close as many of us may well get. On the verge of voice he delayed, as in case an unexpected development made inadequate whatever he had been planned to say; consequently, with a fast choice, he hurried in to an emotional jumble of phrases. As the Regulus luffed-to, her jib-boom-end just loosened the Pictou's forth rigging, along with a person might nearly have soared from the ship to the schooner, as all of us got alongside of every other. Von Fincke pursed up his mouth. Yet the time isn't yet - no. But, as I've reported before, that presupposes that Ashton told someone the secret. No, that ain't perfect. she shouted. There remained a settlement bungalow 2 or alternatively three blocks away, but it had not pulled the dwellers in this alley. He was in haste to be back. Sooner, in case it's possible. And in the meantime, hinted Mr Carless, Miss Wickham may be implored to stay here - beneath the wing of the good Miss Penkridge? My preferred base was 1tb external hard drive that of head of among the pistols that stood. Precisely what do you indicate by that? Absolutely, announced Elsie, refuting Carrie's question first. Almost all were arrayed in fashionable and new uniforms, with striking boots, and lacie rugged 500gb looked 1tb external hard drive in the pink of condition. I didn't fetch boundaries back lacie rugged 500gb in the Three Capes , did I? He thrust the offending amount in to a crevice of his recliner. I might have liked to have exclaimed good-bye to her. Exactly what, messmate, quoth he, in full, hearty sound, advancing with a shambling limp, here cometh 1 to repose alongside you awhile, aged Remedy Afternoon, roommate, mate o' this here magnanimous ship Proud Despatch , comrade, and that same myself, look'ee! Possibly they do not populates London. At last, dreading this be but my favorite fancy or possibly a trick of the light, I summoned enough solution to close my individual sights and, bowing my personal face between my favorite fingers, stood so as much as I may endure. She had observed his little prayer, granted that fellow his 1tb external hard drive good-night kiss, and currently the student walked to his dad to call the same from the man. I like to view you about something. And I take terabyte external hard drive it lacie 2tb that at present that the murder of Ashton has been sorted, the serious query is - what exactly is the truth about the ripe dame who was obviously his ward? Cases disposed me to echo, and reflection brought me to be bad, on subjects that I had formerly treated with levity; Though the grace of God was nevertheless, in a fantastic degree, withheld from me, going me a prey to such disputes as any of those of the steward, and his fabulous prophet and governor, Mr Paine.
joe barrett on Beaches and Recreational Water Quality: Our beaches on Lake Erie and the Niagara River as well as the sandy islands such as Strawberry Island are shrinking because of the natural replenishment action of moving ice flows has been stopped by the ice boom. The near shore sand has also become loaded with organic waste and is no longer suitable for spawning beds. Read more at www.bantheboom.com and the related links. Thank you. Joe Barrett
Patricia A. Marida on Chemicals of Emerging Concern: Read Comment
Matt Trokan on Chemicals of Emerging Concern: Read Comment
Phil Moy on Aquatic Invasive Species: The AIS report should include a recommendation or include specifically as part of the bi-national response plan development of response tools. The recommendations appear to assume that tools/methods are available to respond to a newly discovered species. With the exception of plants, this is unrealistic. We need additional response tools and we need to improve the ones we do have.
Scott Piggott on Harmful/Nuisance Algae: I attended the “Nuisance and Harmful Algae” session of the IJC Biennial meeting in Detroit and have read the report of the same name. I found the fuzzy cognitive models to be less than helpful and hard to understand. I appreciated the general premise that data is limited to link any one source to the harmful algae. I represent many farmers in Michigan and do appreciate efforts of the IJC to promote nutrient management planning and soil conservation programs. I ask the IJC to investigate open support for state certainty programs that work with farmers to verify nutrient management practices in accordance with federal, state and academic standards. The Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program or MAEAP is such a program. I would encourage the IJC and her partners in openly promoting and supporting these programs. Respectfully submitted, Scott Piggott Michigan Farm Bureau
Dale Phenicie - Council of Great Lakes Industries on Chemicals of Emerging Concern: Read Comment
Dale Phenicie - Council of Great Lakes Industries on Fish Consumption: Read Comment
Dale Phenicie - Council of Great Lakes Industries on Harmful/Nuisance Algae: Read Comment
Carolyn Foley on Nearshore Framework: Read Comment
Carolyn Foley on Chemicals of Emerging Concern: Read Comment
Jessica Steinhilber on Fish Consumption: Read Comment
Mary Cowling on Priorities 2011-2013: I understand that Ontario is home to close to 20% of the world's potable water. This is one of the most precious gifts that we have been given and it should be a priority of this government and that of our neighbours in USA to do everything in their power to preserve something that countries worldwide would pay dearly for. The erection of Industrial Wind Turbines (IWT's) in the Great Lakes and in other areas such, as the Oak Ridges Moraine, would be a tragedy. Disrupting the aquifer by blasting and depositing hundreds of tons of concrete that would leach chemicals into our fresh water supplies could spell disaster for this very special commodity. It is imperative that we stop further construction of of IWT's immediately. They make no sense environmentally and financially. Thank you; Mary Cowling Concerned Citizen
susan gateley on Priorities 2011-2013: Recent reports that the city of Niagara Falls is requesting a determination from NY's DEC about whether they can adequately treat shale gas frack fluid in their city plant before discharging it into the Niagara River has me wondering if this should be a priority concern. can Frack fluid back flow from wells containing brines, low levels of radiation and a variety of chemicals be adequately treated by charcoal filtration as the city claims? Can the volumes they are likely to take be dealt with? We've made some progress on reducing point sources of chemical pollution in the Great Lakes and this sure seems like a big step backwards if we take it. I live on the south shore and have heard about ten million Canadians and Americans use Lake Ontario for drinking water. NYC with about 8 million water drinkers successfully lobbied for special treatment under gas fracking regulation. There were obviously some concerns about it in drinking water! Should we be worried up here too?
Ohio Sierra Club on Chemicals of Emerging Concern: Read Comment
CORA on Fish Consumption: Read Comment
S.(Ziggy) Kleinau on Chemicals of Emerging Concern: Please seriously consider to re-establish the 1995 IJC Nuclear Task Force to examine the radioactive and chemical effects on our Great Lakes and the St.Lawrence Ecosystem. After another 16 years of continuous operation of quickly aging nuclear reactors the public needs to know the effects of those dangerous elements routinely released into air and water on their drinking water, their fishing and swimming. There is no ducking away from establishing the statistics, especially after the Task Force strongly recommended ongoing monitoring and accounting! Please urge the Parties to make the funds available to put an independent expert team together and expedite the work. Another request I would like to put forward is: Since there is increasing pressure from the nuclear industry to save storage space and costs for irradiated components from reactor refurbishments to ship these dangerous, deadly cargoes across our Great Lakes to so-called recycling operations, this must urgently be opposed to safeguard our precious water resource from irreparable harm! There is no known way to remove radioactive pollution from water. I am urging the Chairs and Commissioners to seriously caution the Parties from permitting waterborne or any transports of that deadly cargo.
John E. Gannon on Priorities 2011-2013: Indicators: The thrust of this proposed initiative in misdirected. The IJC has no capacity to collect its own data for indicators or anything else that is human and fiancial resources intensive, unless given a reference by the governments to do so. The IJC should continue to constructively criticize the governments if it perceives that SOLEC or other indicator programs conducted by agencies or academia are providing insufficient data and information for the IJC to assess and evaluate Agreement progress. The IJC's own assessment and evaluation should focus on: 1). Canadian and U.S. PROGRAMS and their adequacy (or lack thereof) in providing the data and information the IJC needs to assess Agreement progress (this should go way beyond indicators), and 2). evaluate indicators the IJC considers important in doing its assessment of Agreement progress from a binational perspective. There are so few indicators that are truly binational. Focus on what IJC can do to be value-added in elevating the importance of selected binational indicators and the ways and means of improving their implementation by governments. Prevention: There are some meritorious elements here. Charge the Science Advisory Board to develop its 2011-2013 draft work plan around the prevention theme for Commission review, comment, revisions (as necessary) and approval. Adaptive Management: The nearshore framework and adaptive management themes largely were developed by the Water Quality Board prior to formation of the multiboard work groups. Both of these issues are still too conceptual in the 2009-2011 work group report. Charge the Water Quality Board to develop its 2011-2013 draft work plan for Commission review and approval to provide a recommended road map necessary to move these two initiatives from concept to binational implementation. Tools for Coordination and Capacity: The Council of Great Lakes Research Managers has been working on aspects of coordination and capacity for many years and has the experience and expertise to do so in 2011-2013. Capacity should include the human side of research and monitoring. I believe the Council last did a survey of personnel trends, retirements and retention of graduate students in the early to mid-1990's; this should be repeated in 2011-2013. Charge the Council to develop its 2011-2013 draft work plan around the coordination and capacity theme for the Commission's review and approval. Only the state of science on pathogens is misplaced in the Priority Proposals; this should be referred to the Science Advisory Board for their consideration.
Robert Dunn on Beaches and Recreational Water Quality: Les Cheneaux Islands hopes your IJC commission does much more to regulate the outward flow of water from Lake Huron into the lower lakes. Sure .. commercial shippers love this higher water on Lake Erie .... but this conveyance of water was never intended or authorized. Shorefront owners here are devastated by the affects of lower water ... shore accessibility is far more difficult for boaters, property value declines, our wetlands are turning into meadows .. as invasive species along with algae are thriving. PLEASE STOP CONVEYANCE OF LAKE HURON WATER !
Sue on Harmful/Nuisance Algae: Read Comment
Sally Sessler on Beaches and Recreational Water Quality: I am not able to download the complete report but I support water quality in Lake Ontario. I have property on the Eastern Shore and I very often swim in the Lake during the summer as does my family. It is important to me to maintain the water quality of the lake. Several landowners in my area have noticed an increase in trash washing up on the beaches in the last few years. This is very disturbing. We find tampon applicators and syringes among other debris.
Jack Turan on Aquatic Invasive Species: In the past 8 to 10 years the Zebra Mussels and the last four or five years the Golby fish population have really impacted Lake Ontario. Is there evidence that the Golbys are eating the Zebra mussels? I have heard that but have not heard anything to confirm that. Even if so, what are eating the Golby's? I heard the smallmouth bass are starting to eat them, but there are so many Golby's that it has impacted the ability to fish for bass. Bass fishing in Lake Ontario was way off the summer of 2011.
rJanelTrenam on Aquatic Invasive Species: Not so loud, and Julie, sliding on her knees by the blanket, laid a caution fist on Kathleen's mouth. she claimed ardently, and staa1000101 consequently a little nervously she uttered his designation, Well, Mr Burton? seagate 1tb external hard drive Henry's eyeballs bulged as he considered the 3 gentlemen, but Miller's way desisted the ejaculation upon his mouth. A conventional chase today commenced, and our team glided down in to iomega prestige review the bay, and involved the ship and batteries, as close as many of us may well get. On the verge of voice he delayed, as in case an unexpected development made inadequate whatever he had been planned to say; consequently, with a fast choice, he hurried in to an emotional jumble of phrases. As the Regulus luffed-to, her jib-boom-end just loosened the Pictou's forth rigging, along with a person might nearly have soared from the ship to the schooner, as all of us got alongside of every other. Von Fincke pursed up his mouth. Yet the time isn't yet - no. But, as I've reported before, that presupposes that Ashton told someone the secret. No, that ain't perfect. she shouted. There remained a settlement bungalow 2 or alternatively three blocks away, but it had not pulled the dwellers in this alley. He was in haste to be back. Sooner, in case it's possible. And in the meantime, hinted Mr Carless, Miss Wickham may be implored to stay here - beneath the wing of the good Miss Penkridge? My preferred base was 1tb external hard drive that of head of among the pistols that stood. Precisely what do you indicate by that? Absolutely, announced Elsie, refuting Carrie's question first. Almost all were arrayed in fashionable and new uniforms, with striking boots, and lacie rugged 500gb looked 1tb external hard drive in the pink of condition. I didn't fetch boundaries back lacie rugged 500gb in the Three Capes , did I? He thrust the offending amount in to a crevice of his recliner. I might have liked to have exclaimed good-bye to her. Exactly what, messmate, quoth he, in full, hearty sound, advancing with a shambling limp, here cometh 1 to repose alongside you awhile, aged Remedy Afternoon, roommate, mate o' this here magnanimous ship Proud Despatch , comrade, and that same myself, look'ee! Possibly they do not populates London. At last, dreading this be but my favorite fancy or possibly a trick of the light, I summoned enough solution to close my individual sights and, bowing my personal face between my favorite fingers, stood so as much as I may endure. She had observed his little prayer, granted that fellow his 1tb external hard drive good-night kiss, and currently the student walked to his dad to call the same from the man. I like to view you about something. And I take terabyte external hard drive it lacie 2tb that at present that the murder of Ashton has been sorted, the serious query is - what exactly is the truth about the ripe dame who was obviously his ward? Cases disposed me to echo, and reflection brought me to be bad, on subjects that I had formerly treated with levity; Though the grace of God was nevertheless, in a fantastic degree, withheld from me, going me a prey to such disputes as any of those of the steward, and his fabulous prophet and governor, Mr Paine.
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