Commission des Grands Lacs ADVISOR Fall 2006

Volume 20, No. 4 IN THIS ISSUE Director’s Update ... 2 Perspectives ... 8 Great Lakes Calendar ... 10 Commissioners’ Corner ... 12

Strategic planning a major focus of 2006 Annual Meeting Seeking a shared vision for the future As always, the 2006 Annual Meet- the Council of Great Lakes Governors, The meeting marked the official ing of the Great Lakes Commission took Great Lakes Legislative Caucus and resumption of the Commission’s stra- a look at significant Great Lakes issues Healing Our Waters Coalition if we are tegic planning process, which had been and challenges – including the future to succeed in achieving our goals for on hold during the process that culmi- direction of the Commission itself. the Great Lakes and the region. continued on page 5 The development of a new strate- gic plan, outlining where and how the Commission will direct its energies Lt. governors elected to leadership posts in the years to come, occupied a full morning of the 2006 Annual Meeting, In a historic held Oct. 3-5 in Duluth, Minn. With first, the Great the region facing the daunting task of Lakes Commis- implementing the Great Lakes Regional sion has elected a Collaboration Strategy and other major pair of sitting lieu- challenges, a key goal is determining tenant governors how the Commission can build on its to lead the organi- strengths and focus on the areas where zation as its chair it can be most effective. and vice chair. “One of the important areas the Lt. Commission must address is its niche Gov. John Cherry among Great Lakes organizations,” said is the new chair outgoing Chair Tom Huntley in his of the Great Lakes Lt. Gov. Cherry Lt. Gov. Quinn opening remarks. “Clearly, the issues in Commission and the are too impor- Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn is vice chair. Cherry said. “The Commission is tant for us to be duplicating each other’s Both were elected by the unanimous uniquely poised to offer solutions to the efforts.” vote of their fellow Commissioners at challenges facing our tremendous natu- Huntley, who concluded a two- the close of the 2006 Annual Meeting ral resources, while ensuring the sus- year tenure as chair at the end of the of the Great Lakes Commission, Oct. tainability of the economies that rely on meeting (see story, this page), said the 3-5 in Duluth. them. I am thrilled to be in this position Commission must have a strong, coop- I am deeply honored to serve the with the Great Lakes Commission dur- erative relationship with such groups as Great Lakes Commission as Chair,” continued on page 5 Director’s Update

Doing what we can, today

Just less than a year ago, the Great Lakes region celebrated the signing of the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration (GLRC) Strategy. Despite its awkward title, this 65-page document represents an historic step. For the first time, our region has a blueprint that addresses the major problems threatening the health of our most precious asset – our waters. “What can we Twelve months after signing the document, it is appropriate to ask “how are we do – with state, doing?” Now that we have the plan, is it being implemented? Even at the time of the signing, many of those involved were expressing disappointment that the White local and private House was not more willing to support the additional investments needed to achieve the goals of the strategy. There is an understandable sense of frustration that after all resources – to start of the effort that went into developing the plan, support from Washington still seems implementing our far off. We are faced with some choices: one is to wait until Washington does its part, top priorities?” which means waiting until the war is over, the nation’s budget deficit picture looks more favorable and the new Congress settles on priorities. The other is to start now; to take the GLRC strategy and ask: “What can we do – with state, local and private resources – to start implementing our top priorities?” Many states are not waiting. Michigan is demonstrating its resolve that the region must take control of our own destiny and tackle the problem of ballast water releases of invasive species. Its new ballast water discharge permit takes effect Jan. 1. In this issue of the Advisor you can read about ’s Action List, spelling out what Ohio will do next year to implement the specific recommendations of the GLRC strat- egy in Ohio. ’s Office of the Great Lakes has taken the GLRC’s recommen- dations from the eight strategy sections and asked what specific projects and activities the state should undertake to implement the plan in that state. Their strategy can be Great Lakes Day in reviewed at http://dnr.wi.gov/org/water/greatlakes/wistrategy. Illinois Lt Gov. Pat Quinn, recently elected vice chair of the Great Lakes Washington! Commission, is another who believes we should not wait for funding from Washington. The annual Great Lakes Day His “Mud to Parks” initiative is taking an unwanted resource, Illinois River sediment, in Washington policy forum will and moving it to where it can be used on upland sites to grow prairie plants or trees. be Wednesday, March 7, 2007. Another of his initiatives supports local communities to create rain gardens and Join the Great Lakes Commission, other innovative solutions to prevent polluted stormwater runoff from fouling Lake the Northeast-Midwest Institute, Michigan beaches. members of Congress, congres- Clearly, uniform controls on ballast water are preferable to a state-by-state-by- sional staff and stakeholders as province approach to ballast water. We must continue to make the case that the federal we take a look at the needs of government must do its share to help protect and restore these freshwater jewels. In the Great Lakes region and op- the meantime, let’s get started. The Great Lakes are too great to wait. portunities for legislative action. More information will be posted at www.glc.org/greatlakesday as Tim Eder the date approaches. Executive Director

 ADVISOR • Fall 2006 www.glc.org Congressional praise for basin program Local efforts to improve water dle rising levels quality in the Lake Erie watershed and of excess storm the rest of the re- water runoff cently received a bipartisan endorse- causing mil- ment from leading members of Ohio’s lions of dollars congressional delegation. of damage.” Sen. Mike DeWine (R) and Rep. Sen. DeW- Marcy Kaptur (D-9th) saluted work ine also had done under the Great Lakes Basin praise for the Program for Soil Erosion and Sedi- Basin Program, ment Control, which supports local singling out as efforts to improve water quality. The an example a program is managed by the Great project to help Lakes Commission. stabilize a se- Rep. Kaptur spoke at a special verely eroding event Oct. 18 highlighting the program stream bank Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) talks about Great Lakes Basin Program and unveiling one of this year’s funded along West water quality initiatives at a media event and project demonstration projects. The event, in Castalia, Ohio, Creek near in northern Ohio, joined by Tim Eder, executive director of the Great featured a demonstration of equip- Parma, Ohio, Lakes Commission. ment purchased by the Erie County in suburban Conservation District through a Ba- Cleveland. sediment and erosion control projects sin Program grant for use in reseeding “This is good news for Parma, funded this year in all eight states of the drainage ditches that have been dug northeast Ohio and Lake Erie,” Sen. Great Lakes basin. Funding for the pro- out for maintenance purposes. DeWine said. “Soil erosion and sedi- gram is provided through the U.S. De- “Lake Erie is our crown jewel and mentation severely degrade our water partment of Agriculture, Natural Re- this program to reduce erosion can help supply and pollute the Great Lakes. I sources Conservation Service. lower sedimentation levels and protect am proud to have helped secure feder- More information on the Great the lake for future generations,” Rep. al funds that will be used to fight these Lakes Basin Program, including de- Kaptur said. “Erie County has also been destructive forces so that we can pre- tails of all 2006 projects, are available the victim of recent flooding and efforts serve and protect our natural resources at http://glc.org/basin. Contact: Gary such as these take a step forward in the for future generations.” Overmier, [email protected]. hazard mitigation that is needed to han- The two projects are among 44 NOAA, Commission explore potential partnerships

An assessment of how the NOAA help the Coastal Services Center plan tention to those that match priorities Coastal Services Center and the Great for an expanded presence in the Great identified through the Great Lakes Re- Lakes Commission can apply their re- Lakes region and assist the Great Lakes gional Collaboration. These are likely sources and expertise to benefit the Commission in setting its own priori- to include activities that build on the Great Lakes region has been released by ties, particularly in regard to the devel- strengths of both organizations, such the two agencies. opment of a new strategic plan. Devel- as enhancing regional communication Titled the Great Lakes Regional oped over the past year, the study also and coordination; coastal development Needs Assessment, the study focuses on identifies opportunities for potential and resource management issues; and three issue areas of emerging or grow- collaboration and cooperation between the development and delivery of data, ing importance to the region: ports and the two organizations. information and tools for use by coastal navigation, coastal community devel- Commission staff are now work- and natural resource managers. opment, and data/information integra- ing with the Coastal Services Center to A work plan is due to be completed tion and distribution. The three reports develop a work plan comprised of proj- by the end of the calendar year, with comprising the study are available at ects that can be jointly or individually joint projects beginning in early 2007. www.glc.org/regionalneeds. undertaken to address needs identified For more information, contact: The joint study was undertaken to through the study, with particular at- Victoria Pebbles, [email protected]. www.glc.org Fall 2006 • ADVISOR  Former chairs, others recognized for their contributions

The two individuals who led the Commission as its chairs over the past four years headed the list of those singled out for special honors at the 2006 Annual Meeting. Commissioners Sam Speck, chair from 2002-04, and Tom Huntley, chair from 2004-06, received the Commission’s Outstanding Service Award for their contributions to the organization over the years. At far left Speck, director of the Ohio DNR, is presented with his award by Alternate Commissioner Don Zelazny of . In the photo at right, State Rep. Huntley receives his award from Associate Commissioner Michel Lafleur of Québec. Also honored with the Commission’s Outstanding Achievement Award were Dave Cowgill, U.S. EPA Great Lakes National Program Office, for his efforts in implementing the Great Lakes Legacy Act and Tom Crane, manager of the Commission’s Resource Management Program, who was honored for his service as Interim Executive Director prior to Tim Eder’s hiring for the permanent position.

Resolutions target Asian carp, other issues

A call for restrictions upon the resolutions, visit www.glc.org/about/res- • Great Ships Initiative: Offers the commercial trade of invasive Asian carp olutions. Commission’s support in securing op- was among four policy resolutions ad- • Asian carp: Supports a U.S. Fish erating funding for a $3.5 million pro- opted by the Great Lakes Commission and Wildlife Service proposal to list the gram to develop and implement safe at its 2006 Annual Meeting, Oct. 3-5 in silver and largescale silver carp as inju- and effective shipboard technologies to Duluth, Minn. rious species under the Lacey Act, and eliminate potentially harmful species Commissioners voted unanimous- urges the inclusion of the black and from the ballast tanks of commercial ly to urge that four subspecies of Asian bighead carp as well. Also urges mem- vessels on the Great Lakes. carp be listed as injurious species under ber states to take state-specific actions • Great Lakes – St. Lawrence River the Lacey Act, which would prohibit the to regulate the species. accords: Endorses the Great Lakes-St. importation and interstate transport of • Farm Bill: Urges Congress to re- Lawrence River Sustainable Water Re- live specimens. authorize the Farm Bill, noting that sources Agreement and its companion Other resolutions call for reau- the conservation programs it autho- Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin thorization of the Farm Security and rizes, including the Great Lakes Basin Water Resources Compact and calls Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Farm Program for Soil Erosion and Sedi- upon state and provincial legislatures Bill), including specific provisions for ment Control, play an important role and Congress to take prompt action to wetlands and water quality protection; in improving Great Lakes water qual- implement the accords into law. Also and expressed support for the Great ity by protecting wetlands, and reduc- supports initiatives to develop a com- Ships Initiative and the Great Lakes ing soil erosion and nonpoint source patible base of water use information – St. Lawrence River Sustainable Water pollution. As such, these programs to implement the agreement and offers Resources Agreement and Basin Water support the goals of the Great Lakes the Commission’s assistance in build- Resources Compact. Regional Collaboration, Great Lakes ing upon the current Great Lakes Re- Summaries of the four resolutions governors and the Great Lakes Water gional Water Use Database. are given below. For the full text of all Quality Agreement. Contact: Tim Eder, [email protected]

 ADVISOR • Fall 2006 www.glc.org 2006 Annual Meeting (cont’d from page 1) nated in the hiring of Executive Direc- tor Tim Eder last summer. The period- ic review and update of the Commis- sion’s Strategic Plan was last completed in early 2000. Other sessions at the Annual Meeting took a look at current and prospective developments in Great Lakes navigation, invasive species con- trol and implementing the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Strategy. In his director’s report, Eder sug- gested that the Commission ought to do more to raise awareness of the work that it does and the capacities it offers. He pointed to major initiatives such as the Great Lakes Air Deposition Pro- George Kuper, president of the Council of Great Lakes Industries, makes a point during a gram, Great Lakes Basin Program for panel discussion on implementing the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration, as other par- ticipants look on. Soil Erosion and Sediment Control discussions was produced after the and the Great Lakes Dredging Team as need to be there on an ongoing basis.” meeting for presentation to the Com- examples of important work that often All meeting attendees, includ- mission’s Board of Directors. A draft goes unnoticed. ing Commissioners, Observers and others, were invited to take part in plan will be circulated for comment, the strategic planning session, which first among Commissioners and later took place on the meeting’s last day. Observers and others who provide The discussions were facilitated by imput to the process. The new strate- Joe Laur, of SEED Systems, the con- gic plan is scheduled to be presented sulting firm retained to assist with the to the full Commission for approval strategic plan development. at the 2007 Semiannual Meeting in A draft vision statement sum- Indianapolis, Ind. marizing the main elements of the Contact: Tim Eder, [email protected]. Cherry, Quinn elected (cont’d from page 1)

ing this time of change and growth.” ing the new posts in addition to their Lt. Gov. Cherry’s election as chair other official duties. He noted that marks the first time in the Commis- their election to the Commission’s top sion’s 51-year history that the organiza- leadership positions strengthens the tion has been led by a sitting lieutenant organization’s ties to the region’s gov- Adolf Ojard, executive director of governor of a member state. ernors and will facilitate working with the Duluth Seaway Port Authority, Lt. Gov. Cherry succeeds Min- discusses economic and environmental the leadership of member states. issues related to Great Lakes ports. nesota State Rep. Tom Huntley, who “Our Great Lakes governors play now holds the title of immediate past critical leadership roles on the chief Noting that federal advocacy is chair. Huntley served as chair the past issues our region is wrestling with, one of the Commission’s chief areas of two years, with Lt. Gov. Cherry as vice such as the Great Lakes Regional Col- expertise, Eder proposed that the Com- chair. laboration and other major initiatives,” mission join with other Great Lakes ad- Great Lakes Commission Execu- Eder said. “We need to work with them vocates in the day-to-day trenchwork tive Director Tim Eder expressed his closely if the Great Lakes Commission of Washington advocacy. appreciation to both Lt. Govs. Cherry is to be an effective tool for coordinat- “Great Lakes Day is a terrific pro- and Quinn for the commitment to the ing and advancing Great Lakes policy.” gram, but it isn’t enough,” he said. “We Great Lakes they have shown in accept- Contact: Tim Eder, [email protected]. www.glc.org Fall 2006 • ADVISOR  Stay at home and still attend that TEACH resources meeting through Web conferencing now on CD The Great Lakes Commission has after such meetings. However, partici- The Education And Cur- implemented a web conferencing ca- pants can still interact via audio and riculum Homesite (TEACH), pability, adding new flexibility to its even video, provided participants are the recently revamped education choices of meeting venues and formats. using computers equipped with web component of the Commission- Web conferencing allows partici- cameras. Individuals at remote sites can managed Great Lakes Information pants to meet via an online connection also make and have control over their Network, will soon be distributed and share many of the interactions that own presentations. on CD-ROM. Thanks to funding would take place at an in-person meet- Participants can also exchange from Project AWARE, Michigan ing, including PowerPoint-style presen- comments, compare notes or ask Sea Grant and Illinois- Sea tations, whiteboard notes and the ability questions of each other during a Grant, the first printing of 2,000 to make comments and ask questions. presentation without disrupting the copies of the CD will be ready for The principle goals of this new meeting. distribution in January 2007. communications tool are to allow re- The web conferencing tool is ac- The CD will contain sample mote participation in meetings and to cessed via a secure website at https:// lesson modules and the glossary reduce travel needs and costs for some glc.webex.com and can accommodate from TEACH, as well as several ad- projects and Commission functions. up to 30 connections. The connec- ditional lesson plans, activities and Many meetings could draw from a larg- tions are handled entirely through materials supplied by providers to er pool of participants if people had the standard web browsers and do not re- the TEACH web site especially for option of attending remotely. quire any additional software. this project. The CD will be dis- Granted, people can’t shake hands For more information, contact: tributed to Great Lakes educators with one another or go out for coffee Stuart Eddy, [email protected]. by partner organizations, including the Great Lakes Center for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence. Québec sponsoring two Commission interns Also, the expanded and rede- signed TEACH web site has been Through a special arrange- displayed at several recent events ment with the Québec govern- for middle-school students in ment, two interns have been Michigan, including the Rouge placed with the Great Lakes River Water Festival in May, which Commission for six-month as- drew a crowd of 2,500 5th graders, signments focusing on water chaperones and teachers. quality management and bina- For more information, visit tional Great Lakes environmen- teach.glin.net or contact Christine tal policy. Manninen, [email protected]. Christine Lemieux began her internship in October and Lemieux Soucy will remain through the end of March. ogy and data exchange, including work During that time, she is focusing on with the Great Lakes Air Deposition matters related to regional policy co- (GLAD) program and the Regional Air Did you know ordination and assisting with prepara- Toxics Emissions Inventory. American eels were once so plenti- tions for the annual Great Lakes Day in She is pursuing a masters degree ful they are believed to have made Washington policy forum. in environmental sciences at the Inter- up half the inshore biomass in Lake She recently completed a master’s university Research Centre for the Life . (Source: Canadian Sci- degree in political science at McGill Cycle of Products, Processes and Ser- ence Advisory Secretariat). Today, University, specializing in international vices (CRAIG) in Montreal. their numbers have dwindled so much that both and relations and Canadian politics. Their work is supported by Qué- Canada are considering listing The second intern, Gabrielle bec’s Internship Program with Interna- them as an endangered species. Soucy, will be with the Commission tional Government Organizations. from January to July. During that time, Contact: Jon MacDonagh-Dum- she will focus on information technol- ler, [email protected].

 ADVISOR • Fall 2006 www.glc.org o u n r d A GLWQA reviews wrapping up

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The formal consideration of pos- ment Canada review is the longstand- h

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e L k Quality Agreement (GLWQA) is mov- should focus narrowly on water quality a ing forward, with technical reviews of or evolve into a binational framework the agreement due to wrap up by the for ecosystem management. end of the year. The review is also examining issues Nine working groups, under the that are not formally addressed in the leadership of the U.S. Environmental current GLWQA, ranging from the role to the United States and Canada on Protection Agency and Environment of tribal governments/First Nations to what, if any, actions should occur as a Canada, have been evaluating different the special needs of the St. Lawrence result of the review. aspects of the agreement over the past River. Three groups of emerging en- The GLWQA requires that the six months and are scheduled to submit vironmental issues are also being con- United States and Canada conduct a their final reports in December to the sidered: habitat and invasive species; review of the agreement every six years Agreement Review Committee, which land use and watersheds; and climate to assess its effectiveness and determine is overseeing the process. change. any need for modifications. The agree- In addition, the International Joint The Great Lakes Commission has ment was last updated in 1987. Commission (IJC) has completed its taken an active role in the process, with For more information, contact: own review and submitted its recom- Commissioners or staff participating in Victoria Pebbles, [email protected]. mendations to the U.S. and Canadian most work groups. governments in August. That report The working group reports will be urged that the GLWQA be updated with consolidated into a single document to SOLEC 2006 focuses on a shorter, more action-oriented agree- be submitted to the Binational Execu- chemical integrity ment, and that both nations commit to tive Committee, a body of senior fed- The chemical integrity of the Great the development of a binational action eral, state, provincial and tribal officials Lakes was a special focus of the 2006 plan for cleaning up the waters of the with responsibility for programs and State of the Lakes Ecosystem Confer- Great Lakes. activities related to the GLWQA. The ence (SOLEC), held Nov. 1-3, in Mil- Among the key issues being ad- Binational Executive Committee will waukee, Wis. dressed by the U.S. EPA/Environ- then make a formal recommendation The conference, a biennial assess- ment of the Great Lakes ecosystem and the major factors affecting it, is held ev- Brookings offers prescription for renewal ery two years in response to the report- A new report from one of North are also endowed with major assets ing requirements of the Great Lakes America’s leading policy and research that, if fully leveraged, could vault Water Quality Agreement between the institutions is generating consider- the region forward. These include a United States and Canada. able interest with its vision of how strong research, innovation, and tal- The meeting looked at the lakes’ the Great Lakes region can harness ent cultivation infrastructure; exper- chemical integrity from a variety of an- its assets to reassert itself as a world- tise in emerging industries from ad- gles, including residual pollution from class economic powerhouse. vanced manufacturing to health care; historic sources; newly emerging or rec- The Brookings Institution report global firms and universities that are ognized ones such as pharmaceuticals, says the keys to the region’s econom- significant players on the world stage; atmospheric deposition; and monitor- ic revival are a more educated and and the tremendous amenity and re- ing and modeling needs to understand highly skilled workforce and making source of the Great Lakes and their how chemicals are interacting with the better use of its greatest natural asset, connecting waterways. overall system. Other aspects of the eco- the Great Lakes. The study was funded in large system were considered as well. Titled The Vital Center: A Feder- part by the Joyce Foundation, along Draft State of the Great Lakes in- al-State Compact to Renew the Great with other regional partners. The full dicator reports will be available online Lakes Region, the report was released report is available at www.brookings. for review and comment through Jan. in late October. It notes that while the edu/metro/pubs/20061020_renew- 5, 2007. See www.solecregistration.ca/ region’s “Rust Belt” difficulties are greatlakes.htm. en/indicator_reports.asp. well-known, the Great Lakes states For more information, see http:// binational.net/solec/intro_e.html.

www.glc.org Fall 2006 • ADVISOR  o u n r d

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k Remove barriers to keep commerce moving a On May 16, 2001, the Great ment of new cross-lake ferry services Lakes Commission adopted a resolu- for both passengers and trucks. Today, tion advocating the complete elimi- there are four such ferries proposed nation of the U.S. Harbor Mainte- for the Great Lakes. These include the Steve Fisher, nance Tax (HMT). On July 26, 2006, existing Detroit-Windsor Truck Ferry, American Great Lakes two members of the Great Lakes and proposed ferries between Cleve- Ports Association Congressional Delegation (Rep. land and Port Stanley, Ontario; Erie, Pa. Stephanie Tubbs-Jones, D-Ohio and and Nanticoke, Ontario; and Hamilton, Rep. Phil English, R-Pa.) introduced Ontario; and Oswego, N.Y. Similar ser- legislation to partially achieve that vices are expected to emerge in the Du- goal. The Short Sea Shipping En- luth, Milwaukee and Chicago areas. hancement Act (H.R. 5889) would The primary impediment to the provide a narrow exemption to the initiation of these new Great Lakes HMT for nonbulk shipping services ferry services is the HMT. The tax is on the Great Lakes. not paid by ports, or by ship owners, Canada is the United States’ but rather by the owner of the cargo largest trading partner. Much of aboard a ship. By adding cost, the tax that trade occurs between the prov- acts as a disincentive to utilizing ma- ince of Ontario and the eight Great rine transportation. As an alternative, Steven A. Fisher is executive Lakes states. This is the result of the the region’s highways become increas- director of the American Great region’s binational manufacturing ingly congested. Lakes Ports Association, which represents the interests of the economy being highly integrated. The legislation introduced by Rep. public port authorities on the U.S. For example, an automobile built Tubbs-Jones and Rep. English will pro- side of the Great Lakes. in North America typically crosses vide a narrow exemption to the HMT the U.S.-Canadian border six times to encourage the use of new shipping during its assembly process. services such as truck and passenger The issue: Since Sept. 11, 2001, security ferries. How should the Great Lakes concerns have slowed U.S.-Cana- From a broader perspective, the region proceed in regard to dian border crossings. While this Tubbs-Jones/English legislation speaks short sea shipping? might be necessary, it has placed a to the very idea of a sustainable trans- drag on the region’s economy. To- portation policy for the Great Lakes re- day, it is not uncommon for trucks gion. Unfortunately, local, state and re- to wait hours to cross between the gional planners all too often turn to an United States and Canada, particu- expansion of highway capacity as the larly in the Detroit and Buffalo ar- only solution to improve mobility and eas. These delays have had a number solve congestion problems. While this of negative consequences on the might be an appropriate solution in region. Beyond the additional cost some cases, in other cases, greater uti- they introduce into the manufac- lization of our Great Lakes (as a “water turing process, they result in more highway”) can play an important role. fuel burned and increased air emis- Truck and passenger ferries should be sions. one component of a response to the The challenge for state and re- region’s transportation challenges. gional transportation planners is to They offer promise to relieve highway keep commerce moving, but do so congestion and reduce air emissions in in a sustainable way. One response Great Lakes cities. has been a focus on the establish- continued on page 10

 ADVISOR • Fall 2006 www.glc.org Perspectives Great Lakes short sea shipping* Rethinking navigation on the Great Lakes

If the United States and Canada these freshwaters are the predominant are going to invest significant dollars source of new aquatic invasions into in regional intermodal transportation, the Great Lakes. If we fail to resolve the current tension between the promotion including initiatives to develop feeder Jennifer Nalbone, trade on the Great Lakes navigation of historical ocean-vessel access to the system, their plan will have to solve Great Lakes and the fight to stop in- Great Lakes United both transportation and environmen- vasive species, the emerging details of tal problems if it is to ever gain regional the cost of invasions to the region are traction. certain to limit, if not cripple, all future The bottom line is, aquatic invasive efforts to promote navigation devel- species pose the single greatest problem opment. While aspects of commercial facing the Great Lakes. Oceangoing ves- shipping certainly could be developed sels entering the basin are scientifically and promoted as lower impact, the proven to be the number one vector of industry as a whole cannot effectively entry. While the environmental com- paint itself with the brush of environ- munity and the shipping industry have mental benefit while a portion of the long been calling on both federal gov- industry regularly releases dangerous ernments to set ballast water standards, ballast discharges. we have yet to see either respond to our In order to substantially reduce the common cry by setting and enforcing rate of aquatic species invasion, Great Jennifer Nalbone is habitat and an effective standard. In recent years Lakes United has endorsed examining biodiversity coordinator for Great – out of frustration and lack of confi- the possibility of restricting ocean ves- Lakes United, an international sels from the Great Lakes and replacing coalition dedicated to preserving dence in timely federal action – states and restoring the Great Lakes-St. and environmental, conservation, and them with regional intermodal trans- Lawrence River ecosystem. labor groups have begun to explore al- portation options, including new short ternatives to federal regulations, while seas and feeder trade routes for moving maintaining that federal regulations international goods into the region on continue to be sorely needed. clean vessels that fit the physical param- The views expressed are those of the authors Even the Great Lakes Regional eters of the existing navigation system. or the organizations they represent and do We cannot wait any longer. Can we Collaboration, the precedent-setting, not necessarily reflect those of the Great Lakes EPA-coordinated 2005 initiative to both protect the region from invasive Commission or its member jurisdictions. plan comprehensive restoration of the species and efficiently facilitate and in- Great Lakes in the United States, rec- crease trade in the region by restricting ognized the possibility that rapid fed- ocean vessels and their foreign ballast eral action is a toss of the dice; the Re- to out-of-basin transshipment ports? gional Collaboration plan encourages Is it practical to put in place clean *Short sea shipping refers to the the examination of alternatives in case short-sea-shipping and feeder trade of movement of cargoes along coasts and inland waterways, often as an federal legislation languishes. Those al- international goods that are currently alternative to overland transport. ternatives include coordinated regional moving to and from Great Lakes ports action, regulations under the Clean directly? Water Act, and restricting the ingress of If we don’t ask these questions (let ocean vessels by transshipping interna- alone answer them), we may never dis- tional cargo in and out of the region. cover viable means for creating truly Unfortunately, current shipping sustainable transportation or, there- cannot be categorized as environmen- fore, a truly sustainable economy. If we tally sustainable as long as a fraction do not find effective means for ending of the commercial ships operating on continued on page 10

www.glc.org Fall 2006 • ADVISOR  o u n r d

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h IJC begins upper lakes study

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e The International Joint Com- the Association con- L k a mission (IJC) is undertaking a five- cluded such changes contributed to year study of the upper Great Lakes a long-term decline in water levels to better understand the factors that on Georgian Bay and the rest of affect water levels there and deter- the -Michigan system. mine whether out- If the upper lakes study bears that flows should be modified to better out, it may also consider potential Great Lakes Calendar address the region’s evolving needs. remediation options as well. The study will also investigate The study area includes lakes Wisconsin Wetland Association Annual whether physical changes to the St. Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie Wetland Science Forum Clair River are responsible for a long- and their waterways – the St. Marys Feb. 1-2, 2007, La Crosse, Wis. term decline in water levels on Lake River, St. Clair River, Lake St. Clair, Contact: Laura England, 608-250-9971, [email protected]. St. Clair, as some evidence suggests. and the upper Niaga- Major topics for investigation ra River. Funding for the $14.6 mil- 7th National Conference on Science, include determining the factors that lion study will be divided between Policy and the Environment affect water levels and flows in the the United States and Canada. Feb. 1-2, 2007, Washington, D.C. upper lakes, developing and evalu- Regulating outflows from Lake Contact: 202-530-5810, ating potential new regulation plans Superior through the St. Marys [email protected]. for Lake Superior outflows, and as- River, by manipulating the control USCG 9th District Marine Community sessing the impacts of these potential structures at the , makes Day/Admiral’s Dinner plans on the ecosystem and human it possible to influence, but not February 27-28, 2007, Cleveland, Ohio interests. The study will look at the control, levels on the upper lakes. Contact: Dave Knight, 734-971-9135, impacts of low water levels on such The sheer size of the Great Lakes [email protected]. things as the ecosystem, navigation, system means that any changes will Great Lakes Day in Washington tourism and hydropower, and will be extremely gradual, and seasonal March 7, 2007, Washington, D.C. take into account a variety of climate and yearly variations in weather Contact: Jon MacDonagh-Dumler, change scenarios. can easily overwhelm any human 734-971-9135, [email protected]. The St. Clair River portion of efforts to manipulate the system. the study will address concerns that For more information, visit 2007 Semiannual Meeting of the Great Lakes Commission historical dredging and aggregate www.ijc.org/en/activities/main_ May 14-16, 2007, Indianapolis, Ind. mining in the river led to increased princ.htm#upperlakes or go to the Contact: Tim Eder, 934-971-9135, erosion that enlarged the channel, IJC web site, www.ijc.org and click [email protected]. thereby increasing flows out of Lake on “Activities,” then “Upper Great Huron. A 2004 study contracted by Lakes Study.” 14th Annual International Conference on the St. Lawrence River Ecosystem May 15-17, 2007, Cornwall, Ontario Contact: Christina Collard, 613-936-6620, Remove barriers (cont’d from page 8) [email protected]. H.R. 5889 is meant to benefit the legislation contributes to a sustainable Great Lakes region, its economy, its transportation system for the region. 50th Annual IAGLR Conference on citizens and its environment. We look Great Lakes Research forward to working with all interested May 28-June 1, 2007, University Park, Pa. stakeholders to help ensure that this Contact: Hunter Carrick, 814-865-9219, [email protected]. Rethinking navigation (cont’d from page 9) aquatic invasions we will have failed to children, their children, and down the protect the region’s single most impor- next seven generations should all be tant economic and quality of life asset, able to count on without question. an asset whose proper functioning our

10 ADVISOR • Fall 2006 www.glc.org U.S. elections alter Great Lakes political landscape Election Day 2006 brought signifi- recommendations of the Great Lakes The region’s other new senators, cant changes to the Great Lakes region, Regional Collaboration Strategy. both Democrats, are Au- along with the rest of the country. ditor General Bob Casey and Minne- The much-publicized Democratic Congress sota prosecuting attorney Amy Klobu- gains in Congress were reflected in In Congress itself, the election’s char. Casey defeated incumbent Sen. state races around the Great Lakes re- greatest impact upon the Great Lakes Rick Santorum and Klobuchar suc- gion, in both governorships and state region may be in the shuffling of com- ceeds Democratic Sen. Mark Dayton, legislatures. Democrats picked up two mittee and subcommittee chairs that who did not seek re-election. governorships in the eight-state region comes with a change in party control Democrats now hold 12 of the 16 and made considerable gains as well and the clout gained or lost by mem- seats in the Great Lakes Senate Del- in Great Lakes state legislatures, which bers of the new majority and minority egation, and those 12 will represent had been dominated by Republicans. serving on those committees. Based on nearly a quarter of the Senate Demo- their current status as ranking minority cratic Caucus. As a result, the region Governors members, four Democratic Great Lakes will roughly double its proportionate Democratic candidates took both congressmen are poised to chair House representation in the Senate majority. open seats for governor in the Great committees of particular importance In the House of Representatives, a total Lakes region, with New York Atty. Gen. to the region: Rep. Collin Peterson of 13 Great Lakes seats changed hands Eliot Spitzer and U.S. Rep. Ted Strick- (Minn.), Agriculture; Rep. David Obey from Republicans to Democrats, com- land of Ohio winning their respective (Wis.), Appropriations; Rep. John Din- prising nearly half of the Democrat’s races. They succeed outgoing New York gell (Mich.), Energy and Commerce; total gains in the House. A few races Gov. George Pataki and Ohio Gov. Rep. James Oberstar (Minn.), Trans- were still pending as of this writing due Howard Taft, both Republicans, and portation and Infrastructure. to recounts and runoffs, but no further tip what had been a 4-4 tie in Great On the other side of the equation, seats appeared likely to switch. Lakes governorships to a 6-2 Demo- the defeat of Sen. Mike DeWine (R- cratic advantage. This could make for Ohio) removes from the Senate one of State legislatures a productive working relationship with its strongest Great Lakes advocates and Democrats also made significant Congress, where Democrats will con- a co-chair of the Great Lakes Senate gains in Great Lakes state legislatures, trol both chambers and the governors Task Force. His successor, Rep. Sherrod where Republicans previously held are likely to seek to advance regional Brown (D-Ohio), is currently a member a strong advantage. The Democrats priorities, such as implementing the of the House Great Lakes Task Force. picked up majorities in the house chamber of at least three Great Lakes states – Michigan, Minnesota and Indi- ana – and the Wisconsin State Senate. Where in the Great Lakes? They also appear to gave gained control of the Pennsylvania House by a single Can you identify the location of this Great seat, pending a possible recount in the Lakes photo? E-mail your answer, along with your name, address and phone number to 156th District, where the initial tally [email protected] or mail it to the Advisor at the showed Democrat Barbara McIlvane address on the back page. All correct responses Smith winning by a mere 23 votes. received by Jan 15, 2007, will be entered into Democrats now control both legis- a drawing for the winner’s choice of either a lative chambers in Illinois and Minne- Great Lakes Commission t-shirt or oversized sota, Republicans do the same in Ohio, coffee mug. and each party has the majority in one Our previous winner is chamber apiece in Indiana, Michigan, Doug Jensen, of the Uni- New York, Pennsylvania (unless over- versity of Minnesota Sea Grant Program, who iden- turned) and Wisconsin. tified this photo of the For a more detailed look at the Mariner sculpture at the Great Lakes implications of the 2006 entrance to Duluth’s Canal Park. Thanks to everyone elections, see http://www.glc.org/ who entered! announce/06/11elections.html. Photos: Left, Robert A. Walker, Kent State Univ. Right: Seaquest Photography, Duluth. Contact: Jon MacDonagh-Dumler, [email protected]. www.glc.org Fall 2006 • ADVISOR 11 Commissioners’ Corner Alternate Commissioner Joseph P. Koncelik, Ohio Ohio pushes ahead with Lake Erie cleanup ADVISOR “In the simplest terms, a leader is one who knows where he wants to go, and gets The ADVISOR is published quar- up, and goes,” said American educator and author John Erskine. When it comes to terly by the Great Lakes Commis- sion. The Great Lakes Commission cleanup and restoration of the Great Lakes, Ohio knows where it wants to go. is a binational agency established in 1955 to promote the orderly, The Ohio Lake Erie Commission, a collaboration of several state agencies, re- integrated and comprehensive de- cently released Ohio’s Lake Erie Action List. It spells out what we will do in 2006-07 velopment, use and conservation to implement the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Strategy. Ohio is the first state of the water and related natural to develop a specific list of actions to protect and restore the Great Lakes in conjunc- resources of the Great Lakes basin and St. Lawrence River. tion with the strategy. Board Of Directors Ohio’s Lake Erie Action List moves us forward. It reflects both the broad recom- John D. Cherry, Jr. (MI), Chair mendations in the strategy and the strategic direction of our Lake Erie Protection Pat Quinn, (IL) Vice Chair and Restoration Plan. It demonstrates Ohio’s continued leadership among the Great Thomas E. Huntley (MN), Lakes states and emphasizes our commitment to establish and achieve clear, measur- Immediate Past Chair Kari Evans (IN) able restoration actions. Ken DeBeaussaert (MI) Denise Sheehan (NY) The collaboration participants did an amazing job of defining the problems fac- Samuel W. Speck (OH) ing the Great Lakes and recommending solutions, but the true test will be imple- William J. Carr (ON) mentation. Ohio Gov. Bob Taft made it clear that we need to get to work and not let Cathleen Curran Myers (PA) Michel Lafleur (QC) the strategy become just another plan on the shelf. Todd Ambs (WI)

Ohio Sen. Mike DeWine introduced legislation to provide significant fed- Executive Director eral resources for Great Lakes restoration, but the bill stalled in the U.S. Senate. Tim Eder Clearly, we need federal funding to fully restore the Great Lakes, but we can’t sit back and do nothing in the meantime. Ohio’s Lake Erie Action List is our com- ADVISOR Editor mitment to move forward, and our challenge to the other collaboration partici- Kirk Haverkamp pants to do the same. Cover photo: Pictured Rocks, Lake Superior: Carol Swinehart. Joseph Koncelik is director of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. Courtesy USEPA Great Lakes Na- tional Program Office

PRESORTED STANDARD Great Lakes Commission U.S. POSTAGE des Grands Lacs PAID PERMIT No. 112 ADVISOR ANN ARBOR, MI Eisenhower Corporate Park 2805 S. Industrial Hwy., Suite 100 Ann Arbor, MI 48104-6791