Schedule

As part of their biennial priority work, the IJC’s Great Lakes advisory boards are focusing on progress toward achieving the objectives of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA) since 1987 when the GLWQA was last amended by the U.S. and Canada. Workshop presenters will include IJC board members and other noted Great Lakes scientists who will generally discuss how conditions have changed since 1987, and examine the data across indicators to make broader integrity assessments. Presenters are expected to address changes in biological integrity, chemical integrity, and fishability, and attempt to identify trends while acknowledging the data limitations and uncertainty associated with the project. In addition, new research mapping stressors across the Great Lakes will be presented and linked to available indicators.

Attend this session to hear updates from the U.S. and Canadian governments regarding their efforts to restore the chemical, physical and biological integrity of the waters of the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem, as required by the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. Speakers at this session include U.S. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson and Great Lakes Special Advisor Cameron Davis, who will also outline restoration plans for the coming year. In addition, learn about the successful work of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy in transforming abandoned and contaminated properties along the Detroit River into parks and family-friendly spaces. Native American leader Frank Ettawageshik also offers his perspective on the status of restoration efforts.

The ultimate soap box! This session is your chance to take the microphone and raise your concerns regarding Great Lakes restoration and challenges facing the lakes. Top officials from both the U.S. and Canada will be there to hear what you have to say. Moderators will be Carol Miller, Professor and Chair of the Wayne State University Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Marcia Valiante, Professor Law at the University of Windsor.

Chemicals of emerging concern (CECs) are substances used every day by industry, farms, and homes, such as pesticides, pharmaceuticals and personal care products. Ingredients from these products are of concern due to their persistence in the environment, potential to bio-accumulate, and low chronic toxicity. Of particular importance is their impact on both human and ecological health. This workshop presents information on a strategy to monitor exposure to and ecological effects from CECs in the Great Lakes. In addition, information will be presented on human health effects from exposure to CECs.

Excessive plant growth as a result of nutrient pollution has emerged as a threat to water quality in the Great Lakes, especially Lake Erie. Thought to have been controlled a generation ago, harmful and nuisance algal blooms can affect human health, degrade habitat, foul beaches and contaminate drinking water, among other concerns. This workshop will focus on the role of science and scientific uncertainty in guiding management actions and potential “no regrets” actions that can be taken to improve the management of phosphorus in the Great Lakes basin.

Make sure to attend this session to hear from a speaker known world-wide as a leader in raising awareness about the crisis of climate change. Register now to make sure you have a seat at this special event with former Vice President Al Gore -- best selling author and co-recipient of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. Only registered meeting participants will be able to attend, so make your travel plans now.

Great Lakes fish contain relatively high concentrations of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, but they also often contain concentrations of persistent toxic substances that are known to increase the risk of a number of serious human diseases. Thus the question is whether or not Great Lake fish are safe to eat. If they are, how do we promote Great Lakes fisheries? If they are not safe, what is the potential economic impact on the industry and health impact on consumers? This workshop will present new information on levels of omega-3 fatty acids in Great Lakes fish and review further studies designed to attempt to answer this critical risk vs. benefit question. The session will also address the question: How do we promote consumption of fish with low concentrations of contaminants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and methyl mercury, while avoiding or minimizing consumption of certain fish from the more contaminated areas or hot spots. Until current levels of contamination are further reduced, fish consumption advisories remain an important risk reduction mechanism. The session describes programs and efforts of state, federal, provincial and tribes/First Nations to provide fish consumption advice that will communicate risk to the public without discouraging the healthy consumption of fish from the Great Lakes.

Chemicals of emerging concern (CECs) are substances used every day by industry, farms, and homes, such as pesticides, pharmaceuticals and personal care products. Ingredients from these products are a source of contamination that may pose a threat to the Great Lakes environment. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are a major receptacle of these compounds and hence a significant source of discharge to the environment. This workshop will present information on the types of WWTPs in the Great Lakes Basin, their effectiveness in reducing CECs, and identification of advanced treatment technologies to enhance WWT processes and reduce CECs.

At this session, IJC Commissioners will present highlights of proposed priorities for the 2011-2013 cycle. Following the presentations, the public will have an opportunity to ask questions and provide their views. These priorities guide the IJC's Great Lakes Regional Office in their work over the biennial cycle and with inform drafting of the 16th Biennial Report on Great Lakes Water Quality.