It’s Your Time to Speak Up for the Great Lakes

Canada and the United States released their progress report last fall on accomplishing the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement’s goals, and the International Joint Commission released their draft assessment report on January 18th, 2017. Before it finalizes that report, the IJC will hold six public meetings in Great Lakes communities throughout the month of March to hear residents’ reaction to both reports and how they feel the Great Lakes are faring.

Each meeting will focus initially on Agreement topics relevant to its location through brief presentations by local experts, followed by an opportunity for discussion, questions, and comments from meeting attendees. All comments about the reports and Great Lakes water quality are welcome at each meeting.

“These meetings are a key part of the IJC’s assessment process,” said United States Chair Lana Pollack. “We want to hear what people think about the government’s Progress Report and IJC’s draft assessment of progress and how they would like to see their governments address the Great Lakes water quality issues that residents care about the most.”

“It’s also a key opportunity for interested members of the public and stakeholders to provide comments and make recommendations on the actions to be considered by governments for the Great Lakes in the next three-year or triennial cycle of Agreement work,” said Canadian Commissioner Rick Morgan. “We look forward to your participation and your views.”

Meetings will be held at the following locations:

Thursday, March 2: Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and Michigan Public Meeting. Delta Hotels by Marriott, 208 St. Marys River Drive, Sault Ste. Marie, ON at 6 p.m.

Local presentations on:

• City of Sault Ste. Marie, ON Sanitary and Stormwater Infrastructure
• Restoring the Little Rapids in the St. Marys River
• Linking Science and Citizens for Action: Building a Water Trail for the Lake Superior-wide Community

Tuesday, March 21: Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario Roundtable and Public Meeting. Michigan Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Adventure Center, 1801 Atwater, Detroit, MI. Roundtable discussion from 1 – 4 pm, public meeting at 6 pm

Wednesday, March 22: Sarnia, Ontario and Port Huron, Michigan Public Roundtable, Lochiel Kiwanis Community Center, 180 North College Avenue, Sarnia, ON from 1:30 – 4:30 pm

Thursday, March 23: Toledo, Ohio Public Meeting, University of Toledo Lake Erie Center, 6200 Bay Shore Road, Oregon, OH at 6 pm

Tuesday, March 28: Buffalo, New York Roundtable and Public Meeting, WNED-WBFO Studio, 140 Lower Terrace, Buffalo, NY. Roundtable discussion from 1:30 – 4:30 pm, public meeting at 6 pm

Wednesday, March 29: St. Catharines, Ontario and Niagara Falls Public Roundtable int the Alumni Hall, St. Catharines Rowing Club, Henley Island, Henley Island Drive, St. Catharines, ON from 1:30 – 4:30 pm

Register to attend one or more of these sessions today, and look for further details in the March issue of Great Lakes Connection as well as on the IJC’s website, Participate IJC and the IJC’s social media outlets.