Public Comment Sought on Strategy to Virtually Eliminate Persistent Toxic Substances

Volume 18, Issue 1, ISSN 0832-6673 March/Aprill993 ocus On International joint Commission Activities ... Public Comment Sought on Strategy to Virtually Eliminate Persistent Toxic Substances

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by Douglas McTavish I he Virtual Elimination Task Force, appointed by the Inter- national Joint Commission in the summer of 1990 to recommend a strategy for virtually eliminating the input of persistent toxic substances to the Great Lakes environment, has released its draft final report for public comment. The virtual elimination policy was set by the Governments of Canada and the United States in the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement of 1978. Article I1 of the Agreement states, .... . (Credit: Tim McCabe, U.S. Soil Conservation Service) "It is the policy of the Parties that the I discharge of toxic substances in toxic have been considered by the task force. An important part of a virtual elimi- amounts be prohibited and the dis- These considerations provided a basis nation strategy is to identify criteria for charge of any or all persistent toxic for the strategy it developed. selecting substances of concern and the substances be virtually eliminated." In July 1991, the task force submit- mechanism to eliminate those sub- For the past decade, the Commission ted an interim report to the Commis- stances. In effect, criteria are needed has expressed increasing concern about sion and presented the findings in to decide "where do we start?" The the lack of progress in preventing fur- October 1991 at the Commission's Bi- task force's interim report called for ther releases of persistent toxic sub- ennial Meeting on Great Lakes Water stances to the air, land and water of the Quality in Traverse City, Michigan. Inside: region, which also then enter the waters Public meetings in Milwaukee and of the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem. Hamilton, roundtable discussions Dipis ter les produits toxques trouvks The recommendations of the task sponsored by the Commission, and dnns les b67ugas du Saint-Laurent ...... 3 Tracking Toxic Contaminan ts force will help the Commission advise written submissions from other inter- in St. Lawrence Belugas ...... 4 the two governments on developing a ested persons also played a prominent WQB Examines Risk Assessment ...... 5 strategy to meet their Water Quality role in preparing the interim report. Garernments Reaffrrm Commitment Agreement commitments regarding The task force recognizes that sub- to 1978 Agreement ...... 6 virtual elimination. stantial recovery in environmental Mayors Conference to be in Montrhl ...... 6 To form the task force, the Commis- conditions in recent years has resulted 7heConfhence des Maires ...... 7 sion appointed a diverse set of mem- from improved effluent treatment, Water Levels Study Nears Completion ...... 11 bers from government, academia, restricted use and bans of production Human Health Issues in RAPS ...... 13 indushy and environmental organiza- of certain persistent toxic substances Rouge River Basin Selected tions in the United States and Canada such as PCBs, and modified production for National Demonstration Program ...... 14 with backgrounds in environmental processes to diminish the use of par- Public Comments on Progress under Canada-U.S.Air Quality Agreement ...... 19 sciences and other disciplines. ticular substances. To a large extent, Columns Briefs ...... 8 Studies and reports on injury to fish, however, these efforts have been di- Lake Levels Update ...... 11 wildlife and human health linked to rected toward traditional pollutants RAP Updates ...... 13 toxic compounds, particularly persis- and have not resulted in a strategy to RAP Highlights ...... 16 tent toxic substances which bioaccumu- virtually eliminate persistent toxics as Bookshelf ...... 17 late in the tissue of living organisms, called for in the Agreement. Events ...... 21 governments to begin planning in this legislation conducted by the area and not wait for the final task force Commission's Great Lakes Water report. Quality Board identified needed im- leGroupe de travail sur l'elhination Governments responded to this provements such as a stronger multi- yirtuelle, rnis sur pied par la Commis- challenge in a number of ways. For media approach, but also determined 'ion mixte internationale Yet6 de , f example, the Ontario Ministry of the that the authority to implement much 990 et charge de recommander une Environment released a report in of the virtual elimination strategy can $trat&giepour IJi.limination virtuelle April 1992, Candidate Substances List be found in existing legislation. du rejet de substances toxiques for Bans or Phase-Outs, that identifies For many substances of concern, 5hanentes dans l'ecosysthe des 21 candidate substances and an ap- implementing a virtual elimination Grands Lacs, sollicite l'avis du public proach to select additional substances. strategy will mean stopping their pro- $ur l'ebauche de son rapport final. The task force's interim report was duction altogether. Different actions La Commission mixte interna- %onate s'appuiera sur les recomman- cited as a catalyst for the Ontario re- may be needed to eliminate substances qations du Groupe de travail pour port. This list and those produced by that are unintentional byproducts of vonseiller les gouvernements du other agencies were considered in production processes. The availability Canada et des Etats-Unis sur la facon detail as the task force developed of substitute substances and processes, Me respecter leur engagement << ...de criteria to include in its final report. as well as the benefit to society from 'hbcher d'eliminer ies rejets de toutes les The draft final task force report using a substance, must all be weighed ,&stances toxiques r6manentes,, aux reviews the tools to achieve the virtual in implementing virtual elirnina tion #emde l'Accord de 1978 relatif a la elimination goal, including available strategies, particularly in deciding on a qualit6 de I'eau dans les Grands Lacs. technologies, legislation, economic and timeline for action. The draft final re- L Toutes les personnes interess&s social factors, and monitoring meth- port provides conceptual g-udelines for pourront se faire entendre a I'occasion des trois audiences pubhues Fvues, ods to measure improvements as the these considerations and emphasizes 1 Liont une avec services dlinterpr& strategy is applied. A workshop on the need for public participation by Bation, le 15 avril1993,g Toronto. Le governments, industries and others as icroupe de travail tiendra egalement they implement virtual elimination Lqompte de tout memoire rep avant le strategies. YO mai 1993 inclusivement. On Ceasing the production of sub I pouvera a la fin de l'article des Lntemalionad Joint Cammission stances of concern may not provide Anformations sur la facon d'obtenir C~mtmisaicnrmix& intamtionale sufficient environmental protection in ropie du rapport preliminaire en FOCUS STAE some cases. Destroying the material in 4ranGais ou en anglais, ainsi que sur Exrcurkx Ed*: SaQ CdpMisch use or storage, or removing and de- lks audiences publiques. Managing HEW: Frank Bevacqua P Graphic Art& Brrrce Jmieson stroying a substance already in theenvi- April 29,1993 For morr isfmhon lnt&hI ronrnent may be required. The report . 1~htf3mnkswn activities, contact: also addresses these important areas. Westin Harbour Castle Public participation and consultation 1 Harbour Square Wchbuakn Offrcer continues to be an essential ingredient Toronto, ON IJC, 12!X 23rd Street, NW,Suite 100 (Simultaneous interpretation provided) Washington, DC 20440 of the task force's process. Before sub mitting its final report to the Cornmis- For those unable to attend the ses- Nan Q;ske, Communications Advisor sion, the draft report is being widely sions, written comments received by IF, 100 Metcalfe Sheet distributed to find out if its advice is May 10,1993 will be taken into ac- KIP 5M1 18th %or, Ottawa, ON properly focused and practical. Public count by the task force. comment is invited at the public consul- For a copy of the draft final report in Public AfEtirs Directox or tation sessions to be held in the evening either English or French, or more in- Beverley CroEt, Information Officer at the locations listed below. formation about the public consulta- IJC Great Lakes Regional Office April 27,1993 tion sessions, contact Dr. Marty Bratzel, 100 Onellette, Eighth Floor Marc Plaza Wirdsor ON N9A 63,or 509 West Wisconsin Avenue International Joint Commission, 100 P.O. k 32859, Detroit. MI 48232 Milwaukee, WI Ouellette Avenue, Eighth floor, (519)256-7821 or (313)226-2170 Windsor, Ontario N9A 6T3, or P.O. Box per April 28,1993 three times ya Cobo Conference / Exhibition Center 32869, Detroit, Michigan 48232-2869. In 1 Washington Boulevard Canada, call (519)256-7821, and in the Detroit, MI United States (313)226-2170. FOCUS 3

Des chercheurs de l'lnstitut national d'e'co- Researchers at St. Lawrence toxicologic du Saint-Laurent nourrissent ce National Institute oJEcotoxiwlogy jeune bduga qu'ils ont trouvk isole' de sa m2re. feed a baby beluga found after it (Credit: Robert Michaud, Group de recherche had become isolated from its mother. et d'iducation sur les mammifmes marins)

Depister les produib toxiques

belugas du - - - I Laurent

par Pierre Bdand

n 1988, je debutai une +entation par une diaposi- 'tive sous-marine montrant un gros plan de la tete d'un beluga, et le comrnentaire suivant: "Voici le type d'aspirateur ideal pour le nettoyage des Grands-Lacs". Cette phrase sarcastique m'avait ete inspiree par les observations ktonnantes que nous d'organochlores et de metaux lourds de realiser que la population Ctait avions faites sur ce mammifkre marin. dans les sediments, les invertebres stable et qu'elle ne comptait que 450- L'animal souriant qui remplissait benthiques et les poissons residents 500 animaux. L'examen des carcasses l'ecran faisait partie d'une petite sont peu klevks, et certainement pas trouvks sur la rive nous a perrnis de population vivant en permanence alarmants. A premiere vue, il ne connaitre non seulement leur etat de dans les eaux sakes du Saint-Laurent, semblerait pas que m6me un sante et les niveaux de contaminants a des centaines de kilometres en aval predateur A la tete de ces reseaux organochlores dans le gras des animaux du Lac Ontario. I1 n'avait m@me alimentaires puisse atteindre des des deux sexes et de divers iiges, mais jamais entendu parler des chutes du niveaux alarmants. Et pourtant, on a aussi leur poids corporel total, le poids Niagara! Pourtant, l'ensemble des dejh mesure plus de 600 ppm de PCB de la couche de graisse, ainsi que la travaux rkalisb par notre equipe de chez un jeune bCluga du Saint- structure d'iige de la population. 1'Institut national d'~cotoxico1ogiedu Laurent, soit une des concentrations Nous avons ainsi pu faire un calcul Saint-Laurent en collaboration avec les plus 6levees trouvees dans un de balance de masse pour determiner plusieurs institutions (dont P@cheset organisme vivant. L'espece est les quantites totales de PCB, de DDT Oceans Canada, Environnement beaucoup plus contaminee que les et autres organochlorCs qu'on pourrait Canada et 1'Universite de Montreal), autres mammiferes marins du Saint- "extraire" de l'ensemble de ces confirment que les produits toxiques Laurent, m@meen tenant compte des animaux en admettant que la chose les plus concentres dans les tissus des differences de poids corporel, de soit techniquement possible! Les belugas du Saint-Laurent font partie longevite et d'habitudes alimentaires. resultats confirmerent que les de la liste des produits les plus Bien sfir, le beluga a une couche de poissons locaux n'etaient pas assez preoccupants dans le systeme des graisse importante qui constitue un contarnines pour foumir tous ces Grands-Lacs. excellent rkervoir pour les produits toxiques aux bblugas (21 En retrospective, sachant que les organochlork. Mais a quelle source les moins que ces derniers n'en consom- Lacs se deversent dans le Saint- Glugas puisent-ils ces contaminants? ment des quantites phenomenales!). I1 Laurent, et que le volume est immense Pour concilier ces propositions fallait donc trouver une autre source compare A celui du fleuve, ce resultat apparemment contradictoires et en importante. n'est pas etonnant. Cependant, la proposer une explication logique, il a L'indice nous en a ete fourni par la faible contamination de la region de fallu recolter pendant plusieurs presence d'un autre produit rare I'estuaire et du Golfe utilisee par les annees des donnees sur plusieurs retrouve en concentration relative- belugas ne laissait pas prevoir un tel aspects de la biologie du beluga. Des ment elevee chez les bdugas: le Mirex. resultat. Les niveaux moyens recensements aeriens nous ont permis Ce nom nous orienta rapidement vers 4 FOCUS

Beluga carcassesfound along the St. Lawrence River contain high levels of persistent toxic contaminants. The tape measure shows the actual scale of the photograph. (Credit:Robert Michaud, Group ak recherche et d'iducation sur les mammi~resmarins) le Lac Ontario, point chaud de la contamination par ce produit toxique. Sur la liste des poissons du Saint-Laurent et de leurs contaminants, seule 1'Ang.de et pr6cisement celle en provenance du Lac Ontario contenait des quantites sipficatives de Mirex. Un second calcul demontra que seulement deux semaines par an d'alimentation sur ces angdles, au moment oh elles font leur migration annuelle vers l'Atlantique, suffisait a procurer aux belugas tout leur Mirex. Qui plus est, ces m@mesbaleines recevaient en m@metemps la moitie de tous les autres organochlor6s qui ont kt6 trouvk dans leurs tissus! Nos projets d'avenir? Repondre la ques- tion: d'oG vient l'autre moitie? Pour de plus amples renseignements, veuillez contacter: M. Pierre Beland, lnstitut National d'6cotoxicologie, 3872 Parc Lafontaine, Montreal, Quebec H2L 3M6, tel6phone (514) 524-8711. The whale had never heard of Niagara St. Lawrence River has, however, been Falls, yet research carried out at the St. found to contain more than 600 parts Lawrence National Institute of per million PCBs, one of the highest Ecotoxicology in cooperation with concentrations ever found in a living Tracking Toxic several institutions -- including Fish- creature. The species is far more con- eries and Oceans Canada, Environ- taminated than other marine mam- Contaminants in ment Canada and the University of mals of the St. Lawrence ecosystem, Montreal -- has shown that major even considering the differences in St. Lawrence pollutants in the Great Lakes system body weight, longevity and feeding make up the heaviest concentrations habits. While the beluga has a thick Belugas of toxic substances found in the tissues layer of fat which provides an excel- of the St. Lawrence River belugas. lent reservoir for organochlorides, by Pierre Be'land This is not surprising, given that what is the source of these contami- the Great Lakes empty into the St. nants in the belugas? n 1988 I began a presentation by Lawrence River and that their volume In order to reconcile these appar- showing an underwater shot of is immense compared to the river. ently contradictory realities, informa- I the head of a beluga and making However, the low level of contamination was gathered over several years on the comment, "Here's what we need tion in the St. Lawrence River estuary various aspects of the beluga's biology. to vacuum up the Great Lakes." My and Gulf of St. Lawrence areas used Aerial censuses showed that the popu- bit of levity was inspired by some by the belugas does not presage such lation was stable, numbering only 450- surprising observations we have a result. The average levels of 500 animals. By examining carcasses made concerning the extremely high organochlorides and heavy metals in found on the shore we learned not levels of toxic contaminants we have the area's sediments, the bethnic in- only their general health and the lev- found in this marine mammal. vertebrates and the resident fish are els of organochloride contaminants in The smiling cetacean on the screen not high, and are certainly not alarm- the fat of male and female animals of is one of a small number living per- ing. At first glance, it does not appear various ages, but their total body manently in the salt water of the St. that even a predator at the end of weight, weight of the fat layer, and Lawrence River, hundreds of kilome- these food chains would show very the age structure of the population. ters downstream from Lake Ontario. high levels. A young beluga from the Using a mass balance equation to FOCUS 5

determine overall quantities of PCBs, from Lake Ontario -- contained signifi- demonstrated the importance of being DDT and other organochlorides in cant amounts of mirex. forthright and involving all interested these arumals, we found that the local A second calculation showed that parties in the assessment and analysis fish were not adequately contaminated all mirex in the belugas was ingested process. This was considered particu- to pass on all the toxic products to the during just two weeks each year, larly true when decisions involving belugas, unless phenomenal quantities when the eels make their annual mi- landfill sitings or chemical exposure of fish were consumed. We felt that gration to the Atlantic Ocean. Even are at stake. Numerous factors, rang- there must be another major source. more surprisingly, these same whales ing from data adequacy to moral out- The answer came when we de- ingested half of all the other organo- rage, were shown to contribute to the tected mirex, another rare persistent chlorides in their tissue during this public acceptability of a risk manage- toxic compound found in relatively same time! Our plans for the future? ment decision. high concentrations in belugas. This To find out where the other half The discussions were lead by Lori discovery immediately brought to comes from. Walker of Simon Fraser University mind Lake Ontario, an area highly For further information, contact and June Fessenden MacDonald of contaminated by this toxic substance. Pierre Beland, St. Lawrence National Cornell University. Denis Davis, Ca- Among the fish of the St. Lawrence Institute of Ecotoxicology, 3872 Parc nadian co-chair of the Water Quality River and the contaminants found in Lafontaine, Montreal, Qubbec H2L Board, moderated a closing discus- them, only eels -- and precisely those 3M6, telephone (514)524-8711. sion. For more information contact

. - Michael Gilbertson, International Joint Commission, 100 Ouellette Avenue, Eighth floor, Windsor, Ontario N9A Water Qua1 ity Board Examines Risk 613 or P.O. BOX 32869, Detroit, Michi- gan 48232. Telephone (519)256-7821 in Assessment Methods Canada or (313)226-2170 in the United States. by Thornburn Geofiey These approaches were covered in presentations by Bill Farland, U.S. ethodologies used in the Environmental Protection Agency; United States and Canada Bob Huggett, Virginia Institute of M for human health and envi- Marine Sciences; Dan Krewski, Health ronmental risk assessment were dis- and Welfare Canada; and Bill Smith, l'environnement et la santk des cussed and compared recently in a Environment Canada. personnes ont kt4 discutkes et workshop sponsored by the Interna- Presentations on case studies of fish tional Joint Commission's Great Lakes advisories, wildlife criteria and dis- Water Quality Board. The workshop, charge limits helped to clarify the held February 1-2,1993 at St. issues discussed in the earlier session. Catharines, Ontario, also examined Factors that complicate technical as- case studies and issues related to com- sessments, such as resource municating decisions based on risk sustainability, and economic, social 2 fevrier 1993 B St. Catharines assessments. and moral issues were also noted. The While basic methodologies were presentations were given by Ed Horn, shown to be similar in both countries, New York State Department of the regulatory regimes for implemen- Health; Alan Hayton and Doug Spry, tation differ. Approaches to deal with Ontario Ministry of the Environment; a number of issues were explored, Milton Clark, U.S. Environmental ethodologies de base des deux including low dose and low risk situa- Protection Agency and John Sullivan, tions, uncertainty, joint exposures, Wisconsin Department of Natural relative risks, risk perception and how Resources. various problems are addressed in A discussion of risk communication setting standards and guidelines. principles and practical problems Governments Reaffirm Commitment to 1978 Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement Great Lakes- St. Lawrence Mayors he Governments of the directed toward implementing Association to Hold United States and what the Parties have previ- T Canada have formally ously agreed to," according to Seventh International agreed to follow the recommen- the Commission. dation of the International Joint By similar letters to the Com- Conference in Commission to "focus on how to mission, the two governments improve programs and methods agreed to accept this recommen- Montreal to achieve the requirements and dation and "in consultation with overall objectives" of the 1978 the Great Lakes States and Prov- by Jean Dork, Mayor of Montrial Great Lakes Water Quality inces, focus on how to improve Agreement, rather than to nego- programs and methods to rom May 12-14,1993, the City tiate further amendments to the achieve the requirements and of Montreal will host the Sev- Agreement at this time. overall objectives of the Agree- enth International Great Lakes- Article X calls for the govern- F ment." The letters stated that the St. Lawrence Mayors Conference (see ments to conduct a comprehen- governments continue to review also FOCUS,Volume 17, Issue 3, p. 12). sive review of the operation and the other 12 recommendations The St.Lawrence-Great Lakes sys- effectiveness of the A, ~reement contained in the Commission's tem contains 20 percent of the Earth's following every third biennial Sixth Biennial Report. surface freshwater, and includes report by the Commission. After nearly 700 towns and cities in eight the Third Biennial Report, the American states and two Canadian governments adopted a protocol provinces. in 1987 reflecting a-broader un- The political decisionmakers and derstanding of the Great Lakes local authorities in these municipali- ecosystem and adding new an- ties have created an annual forum to nexes to address atmospheric promote greater understanding and pollution, contaminated sedi- Les gouvernements des ~tats- cooperation to improve the quality of ments, groundwater, pollution Unis et du Canada ont convenu life, economic and ecological health, from nonpoint sources, and de suivre I'avis de la Commission and management of the Great Lakes- Remedial Action Plans and mixte internationale, qui leur St. Lawrence River basin. Cooperation Lakewide Management Plans. recommandait de chercher ccdes is essential between the municipal In its Sixth Biennial Report, facons pour que les programmes ]eve1 and other parties who share a however, the Commission con- et les mesures permettent de concern for the Great Lakes-St. cluded that the existing mieux repondre aux exigences et Lawrence River system. Agreement's purpose, objectives aux objectifs generauxx de The risks and challenges of eco- and programs remain a firm l'Accord de 1978 relatif a la nomic growth are particularly numer- foundation for the work that is qualite de l'eau dans les Grands ous in the basin, and events of the needed to restore and maintain lacs, plut6t que de negocier past year compel us to take them seri- the Great Lakes Basin Ecosys- maintenant autres amendements ously. For example, the recent ship- tem. "Much remains to be a 1'Accord. wreck of the oil tanker Braer in the done, and efforts should be Shetland Islands has rekindled our concern with environmental issues. An International Joint Commission study included public meetings concerning fluctuating water levels in the basin, a problem affecting the shoreline, environment and marine trans- Jean Dork, Mayor of Matrhl.

ceux qui ont un inter6t dans le dheloppement de la region se sont 7ieme Conference donne une extraordinaire tribune sous la forme de cette Confkrence internationale des Internationale des maires des Grands Lac et du Saint-Laurent. Regroupes, Maires des Grands ils peuvent mettre en commun leu, connaissances des mecanismes qui Lacs et du Saint- influencent la qualit6 de vie des residants et la sante economique ou LaU'enf aura lieu hlogique de la region. 11s peuvent port of all municipalities. The integra- ainsi travailler en vue du bien tion of the North American economy a Montreal commun. also raises questions about the chang- Les pr6coccupations de tous ordres ing role and future of marine transport par lean Dark, mire de Montrkal qu'entraine le developpement humain and our port facilities. Finally, the de la region ne manquent pas. L'annee towns in this region like most of their es 12,13 et 14 mai prochains, 1992 et le debut de 1993 auront eM American and Canadian couterparts, Montreal aura le plaisir df@tre riches en evknements qui devraient recognize the need to maintain and L l'hdtesse de la 7e Conference servir d'arriilre-plan a nos reflexions. redesign aging infrastructure. Internationale des maires des Grands Le naufrage du pktrolier Brauer au As in previous years, the Montreal Lacs et du Saint-Laurent. (voir aussi: large des ?les Shetland a, par exemple, conference will create an opportunity FOCUS, volume 17, numQo 2, page 12). souleve de nouveau certaines to review the current situation in the Le bassin Saint-Laurent/Grands preoccupations environnementales. Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River sys- Lacs renferme 20% des resenres d'eau D'un autre cdte, les audiences tem. Concurrent workshops will allow douce de la planPte et 700 publiques tenues par la Commission participants to review and discuss municipalitks reparties sur 8 tats mixte internationale sur les niveaux case studies concerning the environ- americains et 2 provinces canadi- d'eau dans le bassin devraient nous ment, marine transport, urban devel- ennes, lui doivent leur existence. faire reflechir quant aux effets des opment and tourism. A half-day Au fil des dernieres annees, les decisions 2 prendre a ce sujet puisque forum for mayors will include de decideurs politiques locaux et tous toutes les municipalites en seront tailed discussion of the topic, "Mu- Les nouveaux amhagements du Vieux-Port ont valu nombre de prix internationaux. nicipal Infrastructure: Improvements and Financing." All participants are Development projects in the old Port of Montrial have won international awards. invited to attend. During field trips and complementary activities, conference participants will visit the international award- winning development projects in the Old Port of Montreal, the Biodome, and the Parc des Iles, concrete examples of improvements that integrate the concept of sustainable development. I am happy to have arranged this conference in May, when the city blos- soms, and my colleagues and I look forward to meeting you in Montreal. For more information contact Claude Mailloux, Coordinator of the Mayors' Conference, 385 Grande Allee Est, Quebec, Quebec G1R 2H8. Telephone (514)872-7537 or (418)523-7720. affectees. Ici, il faut penser aux berges, 2 I'environnement et au transport maritime. Par ailleurs, il est important de chercher a evaluer la nature et Patricia M. Burke, from the Minnesota l'importance des impacts possibles de Pollution Control Agency in St. Paul, l'intkgration de l'ticonomie nord- replaces Timothy K. Scherkenbach as amkricaine, sur le r6le et le devenir du the Minnesota member on the Interna- A North Fork of the Flathead River transport maritime et de nos installa- tional Joint Commission's Great Lakes Conceptual Strategy has been com- tions portuaires. Plus gknealement, Water Quality Board. Marc Sinotte pleted by a steering committee of from the Quebec Ministry of Environ- landowner, conservation and industry comme la plupart de ieurs consoeurs ment replaces Denyse Gouin as a organizations, and federal, state and americaines et canadiennes, les villes member of the Commission's Virtual local government managers in the du bassin sont confrontkes avec un Elimination Task Force. North Fork area of Montana. The probleme majeur, celui de l'entretien steering committee was organized on et de la refection d'infrastructures the request of Montana Governor Stan vieillissantes. Stephens in response to an Interna- Patricia M. Burke, de l'Agence de tional Joint Commission recommerda- Comme par les annhpass&, la contr8le de la pollution du Minnesota tion that the United States and Canada Conference de Montrbal permettra de a Saint-Paul, remplace Timothy K. define and implement compatible, faire le point sur l'ensemble de la Scherkenback en tant que representant equitable and sustainable development situation qui prevaut dans le bassin de Yetat du Minnesota sur le Conseil activities and management strategies in Saint-Laurent/Grands Lacs. Des ate- de la qualit6 de l'eau des grands lacs the upper Flathead River basin. liers permettront aux participants de de la Commission mixte inter- The conceptual strategy will be used se pencher sur des etudes de cas. nationale. Marc Sinotte du Ministere to initiate discussion with the appro- de llEnvironnement du Quebec priate officials in British Columbia and L'environnement, le monde maritime, remplace Denyse Gouin comme continue discussion in the United l'amenagement et le tourisme membre du Groupe de travail de la States to determine how best to comptent panni les sujets qui seront Commission mixte internationale sur implement the strategy. For more ainsi abordbs. Par ailleurs, les maires l'elimination virtuelle. information contact Mark Holston, consacreront une demi-@urn& 2 Flathead Basin Commission, 723 Fifth discuter plus spkcifiquement des "In- Avenue East, Kalispell, MT 59901. frastructures municipales : leur (406)752-0081. In November 1992, the second Rachel amelioration et leur financement". Carson Award was presented by the tous les participants sont invites a Society of Environmental Toxicology assister a cet kchange. and Chemistry to Dr. John R. Ontario Environment Minister Ruth Dans le cadre d'ateliers mobiles ou Vallentyne, Research Scientist Emeri- Grier recently released a comprehen- d'activites diverses, les participants 2 tus with the Canadian Department of sive clean water regulation targeting a la Conference pourront egalement Fisheries and Oceans at the Canada wide range of substances from Centre for Inland Waters in Ontario's 26 pulp and paper mills. The visiter de nombreux kquipements : les Burlington, Ontario. The award was pulp and paper industry will be nouveaux amenagements du Vieux- given to Vallentyne for his key role in required to eliminate the discharge of Port, qui ont valu & ce dernier nombre reducing the levels of phosphates in organochlorines in stages and develop de prix internationaux, le BiodBme ou detergents in the Great Lakes basin plans to eliminate the use of chlorine. le parc des iles, dont l'amenagement during the early 1970s, for getting the Ontario's goal is zero discharge of repond, en tous points, aux exigences ecosystem approach into the Great organochlorines by 2002. The clean du developpement durable. Lakes Water Quality Agreement of water regulation will help to meet 1978, and for his book, The Algal Bowl: goals of Remedial Action Plans in Je suis heureux de vous fixer Lakes and Man. eight Ontario areas on the Great Lakes rendez-vous au mois de mai i Vallentyne is widely known as affected by pulp and paper mill Montreal. Mes collegues et moi-meme "Johnny Biosphere," and has travelled pollution. serons ravis de vous accueillir. Pour around the world with a globe on his To receive a copy of the Draft obtenir de plus amples renseigne- back since 1980 to dramatize environ- Effluent Limits Regulations for the Pulp ments, n'hesitez pas a communiquer mental issues among school chiIdren, and Paper Sector (PZBS #2100) and avec monsieur Claude Mailloux, leaving a simple message: Save our supporting technical materials contact Biosphere, or else! The award was the Ontario Ministry of the Environ- coordonnateur du Sedtariat de la presented on the 30th anniversary of ment, Public Information Centre, 135 Conference des maires au (514) 872- the publication of Carson's book, St. Clair Avenue West, Suite 100, 7537 ou au (418) 523-7720. Silent Spring. Toronto, ON M4V 1P5. (416)323-4321. FOCUS 9

nated hazardous chlorinated solvents, tary agreement Wiwem Chrpkf reduced wastes from hazardous glue, Ford, M B.4 l)R CCicR)- Tkk.ab MeAllhue, a network of sealer and paint by up to 50 percent, gan Dep- d NU mdty gT #mathe Lake Erie and replaced conventional air condi- to reduce rehumis & pab#a4 toecic bask, ba mmnt baen created with tioning refrigerants with a formulation substances kt th Gtat tabs bsa. asfistawx kmt e Gurd Foundation. that has no potential for depleting the Informah pmickd at bkhmx~ wiN The AUisiuz will Mp groups con- atmospheric ozone layer. These waste be mailed to dhuaund whmo- cerped urjt4 Lake ETiP $sues commu- reduction measures saved the Chrysler tive suyphto fda~-e &ate wih &ne another and develop assembly plant close to $2 million Cdn. awareness. stralgb lar pint actian on behalf of OWMC is a Provincial Crown For mac informtion contact the the Lake Mebboegkm Agency set up to provide waste Motor Vehide hhuhdurers Assock+ rlk *tc is wishing a quar- reduction information and assistance tion, PLIWCAffairs m,1620 1 Mye, Erir Cmnection. For to Ontario industries, and to design, Street NW, Suite 100, Washington, DC maw n umkct Mary Ginne- site, build and operate a hazardous 20006 (202)775-2716. bgy&& Qdf ekes Wed, 76 Univer- waste treatment and disposal system sity A- Wat, Site 303, Windsor, for the Province of Ontario. For more W N9A W, &phone (519)255-7141 information, contact Murray Creed, wdk, mnds of the Black Ontario Waste Management Corpora- On roadways in Britkh Cnldia, L&bA%ue, Elyria, OH tion, 2 Bloor Street West, Eleventh Winnipeg, Calgary adNhriuuad- 44035, telephone (216)322-4187. floor, Toronto, ON M4W 3E2. land, children rehey &ncg (416)923-2918. something their parente aPd tk provinces may not mtadly dbv- painting pavement drehs uiL Mue In October 1992, Ontario Minister of and yellow fish. These syddan the Environment Ruth Grier presented meant to remind ua th itbJ1 i~ at the Ontario Waste Management The Motor Vehicle Manufacturers the other end of each dRL, uLd tha4 Corporation (OWMC) Waste Reduc- Association of the United States held sooner or later what we Wwgyt of tion Performance Achievement a forum in October 1992 on pollution our homes ends ~p Is thdr hcmc~ Award to the Chrysler Canada- prevention to update Canadian and The Storm Drain WLrgk.gap Windsor Assembly Plant. The American suppliers to the automotive aims to protect fish katdbb ad au Chrysler plant has completely elimi- industry on progress under a volun- originated in Canada Ln l%MM ipid

The Province of Ontario's goal is zero discharge of organochlorines from pulp and paper mills by 2002. project of the federal Department of also be added. The major components erosive and inefficient steel shot. Fisheries and Oceans and the British are wheat flour and potato starch, Concerns have been raised among the Columbia Ministry of the Environ- with some protein and minerals. The shooting fraternity that ballistically ment. It has since spread to Ontario, exact recipe is a trade secret, as is the inferior steel shot is causing increased where the Department of Fisheries and composition of the most important numbers of crippled waterfowl. Owners Oceans has joined forces with Trout part, the sealant. If not eaten by of tightly choked, thin or soft-barrelled Unlimited Canada to carry out the humans the containers can be collected smaller gauge vintage shotguns, which program in the Great Lakes basin. for animal feed, or they will break could not use the alternative shot, were Ontarians were introduced to the down quickly if thrown away. For upset. effort during a series of Teachers technical information contact Dr. Now, John Brown of St. Catharines, Action Plan workshops held at the Buncha Ooraikul, Food Science Ontario has developed a bismuth alloy Ontario Science Centre in Toronto in Department, University of Alberta, shot which appears to have all the February 1993. The program was well Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, telephone favorable characteristics of lead, but has received and teachers may adopt it as (403)492-3268. For business informa- been shown in recent University of part of their curriculum by conducting tion contact Ted Robinson, Synectics Illinois studies to be nontoxic when marking excursions during Earth Day Corporation, Suite 505, 520 Fifth ingested by waterfowl. Bismuth, which and Environment Week celebrations in Avenue SW, Calgary, AB T2P 3R7, lies next to lead on the periodic table of April and May 1993. telephone (403)237-0640. elements, is the active ingredient in the For more information on the Ontario popular antacid preparation "Pepto program, contact Pierre Paquette, Bismol." The new bismuth shot Communications Officer, Department of received tentative approval from the If you happen to be pulled over in Fisheries and Oceans, 867 Lakeshore Canadian Wildlife Service and may Road, Burlington, ON L7R 4A6. In southeastern Michigan by a state receive final approval by 1994. This trooper, it may be part of an environ- Canada telephone 1-800-668-5222. environmental protection initiative was mental study. The Big Three auto- completely funded by hunting organi- makers, the U.S. Environmental zations. Protection Agency and the State of For more information on the bismuth Michigan are evaluating the effective- shot, contact Dr. Glen Sanderson, The European rudd (Scardinus ness of remote-sensing devices to Principal Scientist, Center for Wildlife erythropthalmus) is another in a series determine whether routine vehicle Ecology, Illinois Natural History of aquatic exotics causing trouble in maintenance has a significant impact Survey, 608 East Peabody Drive, the Great Lakes. Anglers have used the on vehicle emissions. Under the Champaign, IL 61820. (217)333-6880. rudd, which resembles a golden shiner, auspices of the Environmental Re- as a baitfish for years and the search Consortium, researchers from nonindigenous minnow has established Chrysler, Ford and General Motors are populations in the Great Lakes and the identifying 60 late-model, high- A bill entitled the Groundwater and waters of at least eight states. Rudd eat emitting vehicles for more extensive Freshwater Protection Act has been large amounts of aquatic vegetation study of their emissions. Benefits introduced into the Michigan Legisla- and discharge 70 to 80 percent of that provided to vehicle owners include a ture to encourage prevention of mass back into the water as high- cash incentive for agreeing to the groundwater contamination from phosphorus waste. This produces the dynamometer test and free repairs for agricultural and nonagricultural same effect as nonpoint pollution which high-emitting vehicles. sources of pesticides and fertilizers, increases algal blooms and lowers For more information on the primarily through the adoption of water quality. For more information on program, contact the United States voluntary groundwater stewardship the rudd contact David MacNeill, New Council for Automotive Research, practices. The bill proposes to estab- York Sea Grant, 248 Harhvell Hall, Suite 100, Fairlane Plaza South, 330 lish inter-agency teams providing State University of New York, Town Center Drive, Dearborn, MI educational programs, technical Brockport, NY 14420. 48126. Fax (313)248-4303. assistance and groundwater quality (716)395-2638. analysis for pesticide and fertilizer users. The bill also defines threshold What do "Pepto Bismol" and bird shot levels above which mandatory ground- have in common? Throughout the water protection rules may be Edible and biodegradable food United States and in Canada's adopted. For more information contact containers may soon be available, nontoxic shot zones such as Lake St. Mark Swartz, Michigan Department of according to food science professor Clair, sport and subsistence water fowl Agriculture, Fourth floor north, Buncha Ooraikul from the University hunters were recently required to Ottawa Building, Lansing, M1 48909. of Alberta in Edmonton. Ooraikul says switch from traditional, inexpensive (517)335-6545. the technology may be applied to a and ballistically superior but toxic wide range of food containers, and lead shot to the only available alterna- edible ink and any desired flavor may tive -- inconsistent, ballistically inferior, Tony Wagner, the Canadian co-chair. 5.Improvements in communications The study arose out of a Reference, with the general public on water Water Levels or formal request, issued by the Gov- level issues; and ernments of Canada and the United 6.Management and operational im- Study Nears States in August 1986. In response to provements to deal with future widespread public concern about high water levels issues. Completion Great Lakes water levels, the two gov- A draft report containing more ernments asked the Commission to than 30 draft recommendations un- Final Report Goes to examine and report on methods that derwent public review in February. Commission on March 31 could alleviate the adverse conse- In addition to being summarized in quences of fluctuating water levels in the study's newsletter, UPDATEIAU by Ruth Edgett the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River. COURANT, the draft report was dis- The word ''fluctuating'' recognized that cussed in late February at a series of fter more than two years of extremely low water levels can also re- four public forums in Sault St. Marie, work and an intensive pub- sult in problems for users of the system. Ontario; Chicago, Illinois; Buffalo, A lic involvement program, the The study board's final report will New York; and Dorval, Quebec. Cop- final phase of the Great Lakes-St. present recommendations for action in ies of the draft report were also made Lawrence River Levels Reference six key areas: available upon request. Study is all but complete. The Levels 1.Guiding principles that the Govern- The February forums marked the Reference Study Board will present its ments of the United States and end of the study's intensive program final report to the International Joint Canada can use for management of of 17 public events during the ap- Commission on March 31. water levels and flows; proximately 2 -year project. Study In approximately 150 pages, the 2.Measures (specific projects or pro- participants traveled the length and report will summarize scientific and grams) to alleviate the adverse conse- breadth of the Great Lakes-St. technical work, together with other quences of fluctuating Great Lakes- Lawrence River Basin to meet with activities of the second and final phase St. Lawrence River water levels; local citizens, hear their concerns and of the study, which began in the fall of 3.Emergency preparedness planning to tell citizens about the study. 1990. The first part of the study began for high or low water level crises; The first series of six public ses- in 1986 and ended in a progress report 4.Institutional arrangements to assist sions allowed the study board to in- to the Commission in 1989. in implementing other recommen- troduce citizens to the study, and to A major goal of the study is to dations; gain first-hand knowledge about local present recommendations for practical steps that governments in the United Numerous citizens expressed their vims about the Levels Reference Study at public forums held thro~lghoutthe basin. (Credit: Frank Baracqua) States and Canada could take to alleviate problems associated with fluctuating water levels -- in other words, to make recommendations that could be readily acted upon. "We want to make sure that our report doesn't end up gathering dust on someone's bookshelf," said John D'Aniello, the United States co-chair of the study board. "We are design- ing our recommendations so that they can be readily put into effect by the responsible agencies." "Our entire process for evaluating the actions that we will be recommend- ing was oriented toward making sure, not only that they are technically possible, but that they make economic, environmental and social sense," added concerns. These were held, beginning in February of 1991, in Windsor, Ontario; Alexandria Bay, New York; Cleveland, Ohio; Port Rowan, Ontario; Duluth, Minnesota; and Traverse City, Michigan. In the spring of 1992, three public meetings reviewed progress to date in the key areas of the study and solic- ited public input. They were held in Baraga, Michigan; Toledo, Ohio; and Burlington, Ontario. Then, between November 30 and December 3 of the same year, study participants presented the range of options for recommendations to the public in a set of public forums at Thunder Bay, Ontario; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Sarnia, Ontario; and Watertown, New York. Comments from these forums helped the study board complete its draft final report, which was reviewed in the second round of forums of February 1993. In addition to numerous public events, the study has kept in touch with Levels Reference Study Board Co-chairs John D'Aniello and Tony Wagner respond citizens of the basin through its news- to questions porn public forum participants. (Credit: Frank Beuacqua) letter. Circulation of UPDATEIAU COURANT began at approximately 1,200 and has grown to 3,600, including elected federal, state provincial and local officials, as well as citizens. The final issue of the newsletter will coin- Aprh plus de deux ans de travail et un vaste programme de participatio cide with transmittal of the final report publique, la phase 2 de l'~tudedes renvois sur les fluctuatiolzs du niveau to the Commission on March 31. des eaux des Grands Lacs est presque termink. Le Conseil de l'hde des The study board was assisted by renvois sur les niveaux remettra son rapport final B la Conmission le the Citizens Advisory Committee in 31 mars prochain. its attempts to include as many points L'btude resulte d'un renvoi, c'est-A-dire d'une demande officielle, of view as possible. This committee, pr6sent6 par les gouvernements du Canada et des ~tats-~nisen aott 198 composed of 18 citizens of varied A la suite de l'inquietude gbn6rale suscitk par les niveaux d'eau 4leves backgrounds and basin locations, dans les Grands Lacs, 1es Gouvernements ont demand4 a la Commission participated in the activities of all four de faire enquae et rapport sur les moyens suxeptib1es d'attknuer les working committees and had four consiquences dfastes des fluctuations dn niveau des eaux des Grands representatives on the study board. Lacs et du fleuve Saint-Laurent. L'emploi du term "fluctuations" dhote Members of this group were also very le fait que des niveaux d'eau extremement bas peuvent Cgalement causer helpful in spreading information des problhes aux wgers du reseau. Le premier volet de l'btnde a about the study in their communities debouche sur la prksentation d'un rapport d'Ctape A la Commission mixk and within their interest groups. internationale en 1989. For a copy of the final report, On peut obtenir copie du rapport final en s'adressant aux bureaux de please contact the International Joint Commission mixte internationale, h Ottawa ou a Washington. Commission's Washington or Ottawa offices. FOCUS 13

>hippi,tg activity at the mouth of the Rouge Xiver, where it flows into the Detroit River.

included in the RAP process. Clearly Roundtable participants generally Roundtable such problems should be seen as part agreed that human health concerns of the "comprehensive ecosystem need to be identified in RAPs. Further, Participants Explore approach" to RAPs required by the RAPs should go beyond conventional revised 1978 Great Lakes Water Qual- biological effects to include psycho- Human Health Issues ity Agreement. logical and social disfunctionality that in RAPs Examples of human health problems can result when individuals and com- related to RAPs raised in the discus- munities confront the changing envi- by Geoffrey Thornburn sion include the impacts of persistent ronmental, economic and cultural toxic chemicals on fish-eating birds impacts of pollution. Concerns were he need to address human and animals, the risks to humans who expressed, however, about how this health issues in Remedial Ac- eat contaminated fish and wildlife, and can be achieved within the limits of Ttion Plans (RAPS)and integrate the increased incidence of diet-related regulatory mandates and financial heaIth professionals into the RAP diseases afflicting populations no resources. process was explored at a roundtable longer able to consume the fish. One key to the further integration discussion convened by the Interna- of these issues tional Joint Commission on January is communica- 27-28,1993 in Toronto, Ontario. RAP tion and educa- coordinators, Public Advisory Com- tion among mittee members, public health work- health profes- ers and physicians were among the 18 sionals, who participants to join Commissioners in can become the roundtable discussion. more aware of The roundtable method has been environmental used since 1990 to bring together a health concerns wide range of knowledgeable persons and play effec- about specific topics and broaden the tive roles in base of expert and public input to addressing Commission deliberations. Commis- them. For ex- sioners can thus be advised of a range ample, enbiron- of opinions and gain additional mental factors Opportunities to include health concerns in the RAP process were explored knowledge about an issue prior to by roundfable participants (from left) Peter Orris, Cook County Hospztal; can be identi- developing recommendations. blie Letterhos, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency; Ted Robinson, fied by asking Human health problems can be Ontario College of Family Physiciar~s;jake Vander Wal, Ontario Ministry pertinent ques- both an indicator and a result of envi- ofthe Environment; Trevor Hancodt, Ontario Healtlzy Communities Project; tions ronmental and social stresses related Rosalie Bertell, Great Lakes Science Advisory Board; and Brian Gibson, possible routes to the degradation of water quality in Hamilton- Wentmrth Deparfment of Public Health Services. of exposure to the geographical Areas of Concern (Credit: Mark Breederland) chemicals in patients' histories. (A Commission roundtable discussion on physician awareness is discussed in Focus, Vol- Rouge River Basin Selected for National ume 17, Issue 3, and a similar Demonstration Program roundtable is planned for March 29- 30,1993.) A summary of the Human Health by John Bona single pipe. Since the volumes of flow Issues in Remedial Action Plans generated during a storm cannot all be roundtable discussion will be pre- handled by the treatment plant, por- pared for circulation to RAP coordina- he Rouge River basin in South- tions of this "combined sewage" over- tors and public advisory committee east Michigan has been se- flows to the river. The demonstration members, as well as other ~nterested T lected as the site of a program will fund various designs persons. When available, the sum- federally-supported national demon- aimed at controlling these overflows to stration program addressing com- reduce their impact on the Rouge. bined sewer overflows and urban In areas of the Rouge River basin runoff, which are major sources of where sanitary sewers and storm pollution identified by the Rouge drains are separate, urban runoff re- River Remedial Action Plan (RAP). mains a problem. The rain that The Rouge River National Wet cleanses the landscape often has the Weather Demonstration Program will opposite effect on urban rivers as develop comprehensive plans and pollutants which have accumulated specific project designs to remedy on the streets, parking lots, industrial pollution from combined sewer over- facilities and lawns are washed into professionds de la santP au flows and urban runoff that occur the river. Contaminants can also be procem clu plan &action during rainfall and snow melt events. traced to abandoned landfills or ille- Work in the Rouge basin will demon- gal connections to storm drains. The strate how similar problems can be demonstration program will consider remedied in urban watersheds methods to remove contaminants nationale, Les 27 et 28 janvier throughout the United States. from stormwater and reduce these 1993, B Torunto (Ontario). Des Through the efforts of Congress- pollutants at their sources. men John Dingell and William Ford The currently funded phase of the and retired Congressman Bob Traxler, program will take place over three Wayne County has received $46 mll- years and establish levels of pollution &s mCdecins et travailleurs en lion in federal funding for the pro- control to be required in the future. gram, It is anticipated that a The effort consists of a number of subsequent $82 million appropriated technical components, including: by Congress in fall 1992 would be A geographic information system, spent on further nonpoint source pol- or computerized map, will accu- lution studies and construction of rately locate the river and each of problkntes de sante, notamment remedial measures. les incidences des substances its many tributaries, display exlst- Wayne count^ Executive Edward ing and expected water quality toxkpes rkmanentes sur les McNamara is committed to taking a conditions, locate combined sewer oiseaux et les anhaux basinwide approach in the project and piscivores, les riques auxquels has involved officials from the entire and storm drainage discharges, relate land use to river location and sfexposent Ies pensames watershed, including Oakland and conwrnmant les poisons et les water quality, and allow for similar Washtenaw Counties, in setting the comparisons of complex data. animaux contamin4s, et course for the effort. l'incidence accrue des maladies Many Rouge River basin communi- A large number of water quality liees a Ifalimentation ckz les ties are served by sewer systems de- samples will be collected and ana- signed to carry sanitary sewage from lyzed to help pinpoint sources of domestic and industrial sources, as well pollution and establish their sever- as runoff from rainstorms, with a ity. Samples will be taken through- FOCUS 15

The Rouge River flows around Zug Island and enters the Detroit River. i:ts ruissellementurces importantesunites urbain, et dele deux pollution 1

out the watershed and at known A detailed study of pollutant loads and suspected pollution sources to from urban runoff will be under- censCes dans le Plan d'action help quantify local impacts and taken and various means of reduc- rrectrice de la riviere Rouge. ] effects on the river as a whole. ing these loadings will be tested. Le programme national de Results will be compared with pol- demonstration par temps de pluie , A number of computer models will lutant load reductions from com- de la riviere Rouge comprendra be developed to predict the quality bined sewer overflow controls to I des plans complets et des projets of water throughout the Rouge River develop a comprehensive plan to s ecifiques pour corriger la pollu- basin following rain storms. These reduce wet weather pollution n due aux debordements models will indicate how the current within the Rouge River basin. egouts unitaires et au pollutant loadings and proposed issellement urbain qui se improvements would affect the river, I Additionally, the demonstration oduisent pendant les fortes and thus will provide powerful tools effort will evaluate the institutional uies et la fonte des neiges. On to determine which improvements and financial impacts of the proposed ontrera au moyen du travail will have the most favorable effect remedial actions. To be successful, ali& dans le bassin de la Roug on overall water quality. actions recommended by this program mment il est possible de Designs will be completed for sev- must be feasible within existing or soudre des probEmes similaires eral different combined sewer over- modified governmental structures and ns I'ensemble des bassins flow control structures and sewer institutional arrangements, and equi- drographiques urbains des separations. table financing mechanisms must be developed. The program will analyze n its January 1993 review of the Stage 1 Remedial Action Plan I (RAP), the International Joint Commission commended the local Ashtabula RAP ~dvisorycbunii~ and Tht recreational boating indushy in the Ashtabula River is conccnled about contaminated the Ohio Environmental Protection sediments, which have resulted in local dredging restrictions. (Credit: Mark Breederland) Agency for their commitment to restore water aualitv conditions in the lower ~shtabuia~icer. The Commission was particularly Commissioners and Commission staff A successful workshop on integrating impressed with the cooperation among to discuss issues in the RAP document fishery management and remedial representatives of local industries, and technical reviews. action planning in the 43 Great Lakes marina operators, city and county During this period, the Commission Areas of Concern was held February government and the interested public has also received Stage 1 RAP docu- 4, 1993 at the Maumee Bay State Park toward the goal of remediating the ments for the Cuyahoga and St. Louis Lodge, near Toledo, Ohio. Sponsored existing use impairments in the River Areas of Concern. Technical by the U.S. Environmental Protection Ashtabula River Area of Concern. review teams have been assembled, Agency and Environment Canada in Contaminated sediments, which and the review process is underway. cooperation with the Great Lakes have resulted in such use impairments Watch for more information in future Fishery Commission's Habitat Advi- as the presence of fish tumors and issues of Focus. sory Board and Wayne State Univer- restrictions on dredging, are a major sity, the workshop brought together concern in the Ashtabula River Area 40 Remedial Action Plan (RAP) and of Concern. The Commission's review We're almost ready to fling the fishery management personnel from stated that detailed quantification of champagne bottle as the International around the Great Lakes basin. existing sources of toxic substances, Joint Commission launches The RAP Overviews of fishery management especially nonpoint sources, will be Catalyst, a new newsletter to share planning activities in the Areas of necessary to allow proper evaluation success stories and increase communi- Concern were presented by officials of possible remedial strategies within cation among Remedial Action Plan from New York, Ontario, Ohio, Michi- an ecosystem framework. (RAP) teams, public advisory commit- gan and Wisconsin. Recommendations While additional data will be tees and others involved in the RAP were then developed in breakout needed to properly quantify some process throughout the Great Lakes sessions to move fishery management water use impairments, the Commis- basin. Submissions from participants and remedial action planning forward sion concluded that there is sufficient in the RAP process are encouraged to in a complementary and reinforcing information in nearly all areas for the the The RAP Catalyst, which will begin fashion. The issues addressed included Ashtabula River RAP to proceed from circulating in May 1993 and appear the need for quantitative fish objectives Stage 1 to Stage 2 of the RAP process. three times per year in between issues and targets, barriers and incentives for The review of the Stage 1 RAP for the of Focus. fishery resource managers working on Ashtabula River Area of Concern may For information or to receive The RAPs, and developing criteria to be obtained by contacting an lnterna- RAP Catalyst, contact Mark Breeder- achieve integration of water quality tional Joint Commission office. land, International Joint Commission, and fishery programs in RAPs. 100 Ouellette Avenue, Eighth floor, A background report for the work- Windsor, Ontario N9A 6T3 or P.O. Box shop entitled A Survey of Fish Commu- 32869, Detroit, Michigan 48232. Tele- nity and Habitat Goals/Objectives/Trrrgets In the past four months, the Interna- and Status in Great Lakes Areas of tional Joint Commission has con- phone (519)256-7821 in Canada or (313)226-2170 in the United States. Concern lists specific information on ducted review meetings for Stage 1 integrating fishery management with Remedial Action Plans in four of the each of the 43 RAPs. A final workshop Great Lakes connecting channels report is also being prepared. For more Areas of Concern: St. Lawrence River A 1993 Remedial Action Plan direc- information, contact John Hartig or at Massena, New York and Cornwall, tory listing federal, state, provincial or Neely Law, Department of Environ- Ontario, and the binational RAPs on local contacts for all 43 Areas of mental Engineering, Wayne State the St. Marys and St. Clair Rivers. Concern has been prepared by the University, 5050 Anthony Wayne Drive, The meetings form a central part of International Joint Commission Great Detroit, MI 43202. (313)577-3608. the Commission's RAP review process Lakes Regional Office. Contact a and bring together members of the Commission office to obtain a copy. local RAP team, public advisory committee, technical reviewers, FOCUS 17

obtained from the International Joint The book is available for $49 US Commission Windsor Office while from Cutter Information Corporation, supplies last. 37 Broadway Street, Arlington, MA O A Review of Lake Superior Water Quality 02174-5539; fax (617)648-8707. The International Joint Commission has with Emphasis on the 1983 Intensive recently released a Synthesis of Vimon Survey. 1990,220 pp. ***** the March 1992 Progress Report of the Air 0 Exotic Species and the Shipping Industry. Behind the Smokescreen: the State of Quality Committee under the United 1990,77 pp. Canada's Air is a Pollution Probe StateslCanada Air Quality Agreement. Ll Les espke exotiques et la marine publication, written by Janis Haliniak The views were submitted in mrchande. 1990,55 pp. and Ellen Schwartzel in November response to the Commission's U Futures Workshop on Great Lakes 2000: 1992, and is available for $12.84 Cdn invitation for public comment on the Building a Vision. (Two volumes) 1990, (GST included) plus $2 Cdn postage first Progress Report of the govern- 136 pp. and handling. To receive a copy write ment-appointed Air Quality Commit- CI Proceedings ofa Workshop on the Role of to Pollution Probe, 12 Madison tee under the 1991 Air Quality Epidemiology in Assessing the Effects of Avenue, Toronto, ON M5R 2S1. Agreement. To receive the Commis- Great Lakes Water Quality on Human sion's synthesis, contact an Interna- Health. 1990,30 pp. tional Joint Commission office. (TO ill Register of Great Lakes Dredging Projects The U.S. Environmental Protection obtain the Progress Report of the Air 7980-84.1990,209 pp. Agency has recently released a report Quality Committee, see information at D A Proposed Frammrkfor Developing on Chemical Residues in Fish, a the end of the article on page 19.) Indicators of Ecosystem Health. 1991,50 followup effort to the 1986 National PP. Dioxin Study that further evaluates U Cleaning Up Our Great Lakes. 1991,47 pp. the presence of dioxin and dioxin-like On peut obtenir copie du document O Proceedings ofthe Expert Consultation compounds. The followup study intitule Synthise des opinions exprimtes Meeting on Mink and Otter. 1991,26 pp. includes data from samples of bottom- sur le Rapport d'itape de mars 1992 du U Proceedings of theMass Balance Workshop. feeding and game fish collected at 388 Comiti de la qualitk de l'air en yertu de 1991,95 pp. sites around the United States from I'Accord entre le Canada et les Etats-Unis R Stage 2 Remedial Action Plans: Content 1986 to 1989 that were analyzed for sur la qualite'de l'air en s'adressant i run and Key Issues. 1991,32 pp. pollutants such as PCBs, dioxins, des bureaux de la Commission mixte Ll Summary of Remedial Action Plan Forum. furans and mercury. To receive the internationale. (Pour obtenir le Rapport 1991,lO pp. report or further information, contact d'etape du Cornit6 de la qualit6 de l'air, L) Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Research U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, priere de vousreferer de l'article A la Inventory. 1992,110 pp. Office of Science and Technology, page 20.) Standards and Applied Science ***** Division (WH-585), Washington, DC Chemicallu-Induced Alterations in Sexual 20460, telephone (202)260-9843 or The following reports may be ob- and ~unciionalDevelopment: The (202)260-7812; fax (202)260-9830. tained free of charge while supplies Wildlifell-luman Connection assesses last, or until September 1993. Contact what 1s known about compounds the International Joint Commission, found in the Great Lakes basin that Aspects of the great Lake Superior 100 Ouellette Avenue, Eighth floor, are capable of disrupting the endo- are related on a bimonthly basis in Windsor, Ontario N9A 6T3 or P.O. crine systems of fish, wildlife and Lake Superior Magazine. To subscribe, Box 32869, Detroit, Michigan 48232- humans. The book, published in July contact Lake Superior Magazine, P.O. 2869. 1992, presents findings from a 1991 Box 16417, Duluth, MN 55816-0417. meeting held at Wingspread in Racine, Telephone (218)722-5002 or in the Ll A Review ofLake Ontario Water Quality Wisconsin. To obtain a copy, send a United States call (800)635-0544. with Emphasis on the 1981-1982 check for $68 US plus $3 US shipping Intensive Years. 1988,300 pp. and handling to Princeton Scientific D Rehabilitation of Lake Ontario: The Role Publishing Company, Inc., P.O. Box The Grand Traverse Bay Region Develop- of Nutrient Reduction and Food Web 2155, Princeton, NJ 08543. (6091683- ment Guidebook is a 104-page illus- Dynamics. 1988,75 pp. 4750; fax (609)683-0838. trated book offering suggestions for solving problems of urban sprawl, A Plan for Assessing Atmospheric land division, road access, damage to Deposition to the Great Lakes. Summary wetlands, water quality, rural open Report. 1988,35 pp. Changing by Degrees: Steps to Reduce Greenhouse Gases, produced by the U.S. space and remedial action techniques A Phfor Assessing Atmospheric De- Office of Technology Assessment, is an to reduce the negative impacts of position to the Great Lakes. 1988,90 pp. assessment of strategies by which existing development. Also available 3 Proceedings of the Workshop on Cause- industrialized and developing countries is a companion report entitled Grand Effect Linkages. 1989,51 pp. can reduce emissions of greenhouse Traverse Bay Region Sample Regulations. The following reports may also be gases over the next 25 years. The guides are available for a 18 FOCUS

prepayment of $25 US each from the Grand Traverse County Planning Commission, 400 Boardman Avenue, Education and the Environment: Learning Traverse City, MI 49684. (6161922- to Live with Limits is published by the 4676; fax (616)922-4636. State University of New York Press for $12.95 US paperback and $39.50 eaden will notice we have US hardcover plus postage and R Three publications addressing current handling, and taxes where applicable, added a French language sum- issues in Great Lakes resource use and from CUP Services, P.O. Box 6525, mary with all English language protection have been released by the Ithaca, NY 14851. (607)277-2211 or fax articles. Great Lakes Commission. A Guidebook (800)688-2877. We would like to hear your to Groundwater Resources and Education Opportunities in the Great Lakes Region comments and suggestions on ($10 US) examines the physical and A Universal Manual for Purple my aspect of this publication. environmental characteristics of Loosestrife Control by Cathy Keddy, is Please address all correspond& groundwater resources, Keeping it on available for $16 Cdn (plus shipping the Land: Improving Great Lakes Water and handling) from the Ontario to Editors, FOCUS on Intmtid Quality by Controlling Soil Erosion and Federation of Anglers and Hunters, Joinf Commission Activities, 100 Sedimentation (first copy free) is a Box 2800, Peterborough, ON K9J 8L5. Ouellette Avenue, Eighth floor, brochure highlighting soil erosion and (705)748-6324. sedimentation problems in the Great Windsor, Ontario N9A 6T3 or Lakes basin, and a report on Liquid P.O. Box 32869, Detroit, Michigar Asset: Great Lakes Water Quality and The Metropolitan Water Board of New Letters printed in future lndusty Needs ($5 US) talks about the York recently released its 1992 Lake sues may be edited to meet importance of water quality and water Ontario Monitoring Program report. quantity when promoting economic Since 1976, Lake Ontario waters have Piease in- investment in the Great Lakes region. been monitored for a variety of lude your name and address To order these publications contact compounds commonly found in the Great Lakes Information Clearing- drinking water. To obtain the report house, 400 Fourth Street, Ann Arbor, contact the Metropolitan Water Board, MI 48103-4816. (313)665-9135; fax Alexander F. Jones Administration (3131665-4370. Center, 4170 Route 31, Clay, NY 11 Nos kteurs rernarqueront I 13041. (315)652-8656; fax (3151652- que nous avons apute rm 1977. The Great Lakes Action Plan Bulletin resume en ftanqak de tous Ies will begin circulating quarterly in articles pubfi en anglais. English and French in April 1993. The The status of Great Lakes water N'h6sikez pas h nous envoyel bulletin includes Canadian federal quality and the role the International vos commentaires ou vos sug- Great Lakes basin success stories and Joint Commission plays in progress a calendar of community events. For under the Great Lakes Water Quality gestions sur n'inpo* quel as- information contact Pierre Paquette, Agreement are explored in an indepth pect de la publicafbn. Veuilkz Communications Officer, Department article in the latest issue of Harrowsmith adresser toute correspondmce of Fisheries and Oceans, 867 Lake- Country Life. The bimonthly magazine shore Road, Burlington, ON L7R 4A6. on country living, with special interest et demande d'abonmment aux In Canada telephone (800)668-5222. in ecology, energy efficient shelter, editeurs & FOCUS on Tntmna- gardening and healthy food, is circu- f ional Joinf Commission Acfiuifies lated to 200,000 subscribers and is Le bulletin Plan d'action pour les available at most newstands in the 100, avenue Ouellette, 8' &age, Grands Lacs comrnencera a paraitre en United States and Canada. Windsor (Ontario) N9A 6T3 ou avril 1993. Trimestriel bilingue, le If not available in your area, P.O. Box 32869, Detroit, Michi- bulletin relate les succes des projets contact the magazine at Ferry Road, gan 48232. I1 se peut que ks fbderaux rbalises dans le bassin des Charlotte, VT 05445, telephone Grands Lacs et contient un calendrier (802)425-3961. lettres qui seront pubIikes soien des activitks communautaires. Pour de raccourcies pour des raisons plus amples renseignements, s'adresser Pierre Paquette, agent de comrnunica- d'espace. Veuillez inmire vos tions, ministere des P@cheset Ocbans, 867, chemin Lakeshore, Burlington (Ontario) L7R 4A6. Au Canada, on peut composer le 1-800-668-5222. FOCUS 19 . .A a

Public Comments on Progress Under Canada-U.S. Air Quality Agreement

by Ted Bailey and Frank Bevacqua parts of Canada and the United States to control transboundary air pollution. However, several also commented "Signifint progress is being mde toward fuifillmenf that the progress report fails to men- of fhe Cmda-United States Air Quality Agreement tion delays and obstacles in both ... and the continuing pursuit of activities to rduce acidic countries to achieving the goals estab- deposition will mntually lead to better health for humans lished in the Agreement. In particular, and all natural lve forms." these included delays in publishing rules to meet legislated requirements "(Theprogress report) fails to articulate my action plan for reducing acid deposition, the pro- fo deal with the issues af hand." mulgation of weak rules, long delays in attaining specific targets for emission reductions in the United States, hese views were included in nating a number of scientific and tech- and the long timeframes established the 22 submissions received nical activities. The two governments for targets to be met. Some felt that T by the International Joint appointed an Air Quality Committee the target reductions for acid deposi- Commission in response to its invita- to help coordinate bilateral activities tion are not stringent enough to pro- tion for public comment (see Focus, and prepare periodic progress reports. tect lakes and soils in eastern Canada, Volume 17, Issue 2) on the first The Agreement assigns the Interna- even if the terms of the Agreement are progress report of the Air Quality tional Joint Commission responsibility fully implemented. Committee appointed by the Govern- for inviting comments on the Air Qual- Strong support was expressed for ments of Canada and the United ity Committee's progress reports, sub expanding the scope of issues covered States under the Air Quality Agree- mitting a synthesis of the views re- under the Agreement to include toxic ment. ceived to the two governments and the air emissions and ground level ozone, The Air Quality Agreement was record of such views if either govern- as well as a number of other air qual- signed March 13,1991 by President ment requests, and publicly releasing ity issues. Governments were encour- George Bush and Prime Minister the synthesis of views. The Commission aged to develop cooperative arrange- Brian Mulroney to establish "a practi- invited public comment through public ments under the Agreement to ensure cal and effective instrument to ad- announcements, news releases and that these priority issues receive the dress shared concerns regarding letters in June 1992 following the re- attention they require. The importance transboundary air pollution." Under lease of the first progress report. the Agreement, the United States and Several respondents were strongly Public comments expressed support Canada are responsible for meeting a supportive of the Agreement and the for continuing research to understand number of general and specific air need for increased cooperative action, the ejfects of acid deposition on forests. quality objectives, as well as coordi- as well as individual actions, on the (Photo Credit: Frank Beuacqun) Progress in reducing acid deposition in the United States and Canada is thefocw of the Air Qualify Committee's first progress report. (Credit: Frank Bevacqua)

of improving emission inventories was stressed, as the inventories serve as the basis for all analysis and deductive work. As some emissions that contribute to acid deposition are related to other environmental concerns, such as ground level ozone and greenhouse gas buildup, respondents suggested that programs to address these issues should be integrated. This was seen as a way of sharing the costs among the programs and achieving multiple benefits from the same strategies. It was also suggested that future reports attempt to quantify the relative contri- port, Synthesis of Views on the March the Acid Rain Division, U.S. Environ- butions of conservation, efficiency and 1992 Progress Report of the Air Quality mental Protection Agency, Mail Code control to emission reductions. Committee under the United States/ 6204J, 401 M Street SW, Washington, Many comments also addressed Canada Air Quality Agreement. To re- DC 20460, or telephone (617)641-5377. specific aspects of the emission reduc- ceive a copy, contact an International In Canada, contact Environment tion, effects research and monitoring Joint Commission office. Canada, Enquiry Centre, 351 St. Jo- programs. The Commission has com- To obtain the Progress Report of seph Boulevard, Hull, Quebec, KIA piled the public comments into a re- the Air Quality Committee, contact OH3, telephone (819)997-2800.

aZmosphPnque tr&onti&eu. En vertu de cet Ac- cord, Ies dew Goeven\ements doivent res- des o~~awet8es~tifss~uesen matike & quaiit6 de I'aiT, et coorbnner un certain mmbre d'activik6s ~~eset techniques. Les Gouvmeno;OS'ct mis rn pied Ie Comic de la qualit&de Yak pour asslrrer la ccmdination des activikh et la prcrdudicm des rapports d'bpe pc5rlodiques. L'Accord dPre8 Ia cummhion mixte $hFm#*j~e internationale Ia respnsaiWt4 de sondes Yopiaim pubIiqw stu les rappods d'&p du Cornits5 &e ha #m#~~~~~~*qdMde Yab, & mmettre am 60uvm~tsme V& dew dm cmesexprkrks dam ks synthbe &s ophicm p'&st?~&%ahxi qu'un tompte 22 rnhmires qoe la Cwnmissioa mix& inttmuihmle rendu de ces opinions si l'm des Gouvmsle a reps q&s avoir sdEidtd Yopinion du pubk (voir demande, et de redre pubwe la synthhe de ces Fcms, vm17, -0 2) sur k pemk Rapport opinions. La CehWe ma^ a d'- dw Chi6de la guaW de Yair mksur pied sollicit&I'epbion du puMn: m rrwgm d"-es, de par Iaj gotl~immmfsdu Canada et des kkk-~nis communiqobde~&del&es~en en vertu de 1' Aecwd su~la pM de Yair. juin 1922, aprh h publication du premier Rapport Sign6 k 13 rn 1991 par Ie prtkdwt Qqe Bush $&ape. et Ie Prmia ministTe lhian M&ney, YAccord sur la On trouvera a la fin de l'artide des infoxmarions qudit-4be I'air vise &blir anir&ummt prabkpe sur la fapd'obtenir copie du rappart de la Commis- et efhpxn cherc2ser ti rbudre les svjets de skm mbck inkmationale et du rapport d'wedu I p&occapativn comrms en ce qui a h la pohticm Conit4 de b qualit4 cka I'air. I' - - - FOCUS 21

, - EVENTS The EarthPeace International Film = -w-w Festival will be held from April 14-18, I 1993 in Burlington, Vermont. The festival will examine topics that The following includes aeetings.!heduled by the International Joint address issues of global concern. For Colmmission and its various boards. Please contact a Commission office more information, contact Lorraine B. for furfher information. Good, Executive Director, EarthPeace International Film Festival, c/o March 10-12 Council of Great Lakes Research Managers Burlington City Arts, City Hall, Burlington, VT 05401. (802)660-2600. Atlanta, GA 15-17 Great Lakes Water Quality Board Toronto, ON 18 Educators Advisory Council In Touch with the Earth is this year's Detroit, MI theme for the Michigan Alliance for 29-30 Health Care Professionals Roundtable Environmental and Outdoor Education Toronto, ON annual conference to be held April 30- May 2, 1993 at Camp Cavell, located north of Lexington, Michigan. April 20-23 Internaticmal Joint Commission For more information, contact Don Semi-Annual Meeting Place, Michigan Alliance for Environ- Washington, DC mental and Outdoor Education, 5615 27 Virtual Elimination Task Force Public Session Chickadee Lane, Clarkston, MI 48346. Milwaukee, WI (313)625-2390. 28 Virtual Elimination Task Force Public Session Detroit, MI 29 Virtual Elimination Task Force Public Session The Great Lakes Fishery Commission Toronto, ON will hold its 38th Annual Meeting May 24-28, 1993 at the Sheraton May 10-11 Great Lakes Science Advisory Board Centre in Toronto, Ontario. For more Windsor, ON information contact the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, 2100 Common- wealth Boulevard, Suite 209, Ann June 16-17 International Joint Commission Executive Session Arbor, MI 48105-1563. (313)662-3209; Ottawa, ON fax (313)741-2010.

disposal of dredged material, alterna- tives to conventional dredging and For those interested in natural re- creating aquatic habitat. source use and management, pollution more information^ prevention and control, and planning KeillOr# and development, a watershed '93 University of Wisconsin Sea Grant conference will be held March 21-24, Advisory Services, 1800 University 1993 in Alexandria, Virginia. Avenue, Madison, WI 53705-4094. T~ receive more informationcontact (608)263-5133; fax (608)263-2063. Jennifer Paugh, 1000 Connecticut Ave- .**** nue, NW, Suite 802, Washington, DC 20036. (202)833-8317; fax (202)466-8554. The National scienceT~~~~~~~ Asso- La corporation Saint-Laurent\Grands **,** ciation is holding its 41st National Convention in Kansas City, Missouri Lacs recidive avec l'activite Fleuve et on April 1-4, 1993. To register, contact musique "Salut les Jeunes!" du 25 mai The University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Tina Brent, the National Science au 4 juin 1993 au Parc des Rapides de Institute's second Workshop on Teachers Association, 1742 Connecti- ville LaSalle. Pour de plus amples Maintenance Dredging of Small Craft cut Avenue NW, washington,DC informations: Contacter Fleuve et Facilities will be held March 22-23, 20009-1 171. (202)328-5800. musique au 514 582-2359 ou kcrire au 1993 at the Wisconsin Center in 522 Notre-Dame, Repentigny, (Quebec) Madison. Topics include re-use and I.** I c J6A 2T8. Belinos: 514 582-6974. 22 FOCUS

The International Association for The 40th Ontario Conference on the Great Lakes Research is holding its Environment will be held June 13-16, The Saint-Lawrence and Great Lakes 36th Annual Conference on Great 1993 at the Four Seasons Inn on the Corporation will present for the Lakes Research June 6-10, 1993 in Park in Toronto, Ontario. Emphasis is second year the activities of the DePere, Wisconsin to promote infor- on waste reduction using a multime- Fleuve et musique "Salut les Jeunes!" mation exchange on all aspects of dia approach to pollution prevention. program from May 25th to June 4th, research applicable to understanding For conference information contact 1993. For further information contact large lakes of the world and the Murray Cheetham, Environment Fleuve et musique, 522 Notre-Dame, human societies surrounding them. Ontario, Waste Management Branch, Repentigny, PQ J6A 2T8. (514)582- Professionals and students from 14th Floor, 2 St. Clair Avenue West, 2359; Fax (514)582-6974 science and technology emphasizing Toronto, ON M4V 1L5. (416)323-5184; large lake studies are encouraged to fax (416)323-5031. attend. For additional information contact John Kennedy, Green Bay Metropolitan Sewerage District, P.O. Three short courses will be given at Box 19015, Green Bay, WI 54307-9015. The Great Lakes Voyage of Discovery Colorado State University this (414)432-4893; fax (414)432-4302. sails June 16-19, 1993 on the waters of summer: Design of Water Quality northern Lake Michigan aboard the Monitoring Networks, June 7-11; schooner Manitou. This three-day class Activated Sludge Process Control June includes shipboard programs on 21-25; and Water Resources Develop- limnology, island ecology, marine ment and Environmental Protection: The 4th Aliia International Exhibition geology, meteorology and Great Lakes Problems, lssues and Solutions, June of Fisheries and Aquacultures will be history, and is sponsored by the 28-July 2. held in Thessaloniki, Greece June 11- Inland Seas Education Association in For additional information contact, 14, 1993. For more information contact cooperation with the Traverse Tall Thomas G. Sanders, Program Leader, the Aliia Secretariat at 154, Egnatia Ship Company of Traverse City and Environmental Engineering, Depart- Street, 546 36 Thessaloniki, Greece. Eastern Michigan University. The $375 ment of Civil Engineering, Colorado Telephone 031-291.1 11 or fax US cost plus tax includes materials, State University, Fort Collins, CO 031-2291 16. and room and meals aboard the 80523. (303)491-5448; fax (3031491-7727. schooner. Graduate credit may be arranged separately through the

1 Eastern Michigan University Depart- FOCUS 23

ture and environmental quality. For Five Great Lakes Basin Environmental Education Institutes will be held more information contact Marilyn in summer 1993 for educators throughout the Great Lakes region. Krueger, St. Louis County Commis- The institutes seek to provide educators with the knowledge, skill and sioner, 100 North 5th Avenue, Room confideme necessary to teach students and other educators about the 206, Duluth, MN 55802. (218)726-2450; Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem. Activities at each week-bng institute indud Fax (218)726-2469. field trips, guest speakers, resource materials and development of integra. tive processing skills. Graduate credit is available. For more information, contact the following: Joint responsibility for shared re- Date Location Contact Telephone or fax sources is the theme of the 1993

- annual meeting of the American Jmzte 13-19 S& b+o (shnd, OH JoAnn Damm 16141292-8949 Fisheries Society to be held August ~~ fax (614292-4364 28-September 3, 1993 in Portland, Oregon. For more information contact Jerry Bouck and Steve Smith, Ameri- miwt 1-6 st. ~~acisles,ON wally PO& (4'~fr>~5550 at. 3938; can Fisheries Society, Technical kx (416)685-4131 Program Chairs, Bonneville Power ~~~ Administration (Mailing Code PJ), P.O. Box 3621, Portland, OR 97208- -9- 1-6 Alpma, kO %Uy @13145T.a600 ext. 271; 3621. (503)230-5213 or -5365. LmUmm fax C333W-52.220

& 2-5 Green Bay, MI Ai 9eastrup &3i#W4282 The Great Lakes Bioregional Con- U'm m33Gm fa&v#x4aB - gress will hold a four-day community celebration in Chicago September 16- Aqpst 16-22 Isle Ruyalc, Ml Mike Unk (612)24S26LB 19, 1993. Approaches to ecologically LilKE~~ I fsur OW72-2226 sustainable and socially just production processes and lifestyles will be discussed. Congress participants will - - - - also tour urban environments and ment of Continuing Education. Class and the Canadian Society of Agricul- clean up a segment of shoreline size is limited to 22 persons and the tural Engineering to be held June 20- during the Great Lakes Beach Sweep registration deadline is April 15, 1993. 23, 1993 in Spokane, Washington. To (see Focus, Volume 17, Issue 3, pages For more information, contact the receive a program contact the Ameri- 13-14.). For more information contact Inland Seas Education Association, can Society of Agricultural Engineers, Beatrice Briggs, Wild Onion Alliance, P.O. Box 4223, Traverse City, MI 2950 Niles Road, St. Joseph, MI 49085- 3432 North Bosworth, Chicago, IL 49685-4223. (616)271-3077. 9659. (616)429-0300; fax (616)429-3852. 60657. (312)929-5565.

The First International Association The Canadian Water Resources Geological Sciences #694: Principles for Water Pollution Research and Association will present its 46th of Oceanography will be offered to Control Specialized Conference on annual conference on Water and the science teachers June 20-26, 1993. Diffuse (Nonpoint) Pollution: Wilderness in Banff, Alberta June 16- Contact Dr. Larry Krissek, 247 Orton Sources, Prevention, Impact and 19, 1993. This conference will explore Hall, 155 South Oval, Ohio State Abatement will be held September 20- key issues on the connecting medium University, Columbus, OH 43210. 24, 1993 in Chicago, Illinois. of water. To receive more information (614)292-1924, -8746 or -2721. For information, contact Dr. contact Canadian Water Resources Vladimir Novotny, Conference Chair, Association, Conference Committee, International Association for Water c/o Eastern Irrigation District, P.O. Pollution and Control, Department of Bag 8, Brooks, AB TIR 1B2. (403)362- The Great Lakes Council of County Civil and Environmental Engineering, 1400; fax (403)362-6206. Associations will hold its annual Marquette University, 1515 West conference August 12-14, 1993 in Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI Duluth, Minnesota. The council 53233. fax (414)288-7082. provides a forum for county officials "Change: Are You Prepared?" is the to discuss water-related issues they title of a joint meeting of The Ameri- share in common such as economic can Society of Agricultural Engineers development, transportation, agricul- The 20th in a series of Annual Aquatic changes and issues dealing with Toxicity Workshops will be held environmental protection are a few of October 17-20, 1993 at the Chateau the topics. For conference information, Frontenac in Quebec City, Quebec. To contact Saied Mostaghimi, VPI & SU, receive more information contact Agricultural Engineering Department, Raymond Van Coillie, Environment 308 Seitz Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061. Canada, C-P, Quebec Region, 1179, de (703)231-7605; fax (703)231-3199. Bleury Street, Montreal, PQ H3B 3H9. (514)496-6858; fax (514)283-4423.

An International Symposium on Chemistry and Biology of Municipal Water Treatment: Current Status and Future Directions will be held Octo- ber 24-29, 1993 at the Canada Centre for Inland Waters, Burlington, Ontario. The purpose of the symposium is to enhance the knowledge base of providers, regulators and users of municipal water with respect to state-of-the-art developments in the drinking water industry. To receive further information, contact Dr. B.K. Afghan, Analytical Chemistry Research, Research and Applications Branch, National Water Research Institute, Canada Centre for Inland Waters, Burlington, ON L7R 4A6. (416)336-4661; fax (416)336-4989.

The International Association for Sediment Water Science will hold its Sixth International Symposium on Interactions Between Sediments and Water December 5-8, 1993 in Santa Barbara, California. Current research on all aspects of freshwater and marine systems, their sediments and the management of water resources will be discussed. To obtain further information contact Wilbert Lick, Department of Mechanical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106. (8051893- 4295; fax (805)893-8651.

The American Society of Agricultural Engineers is sponsoring the Integrated Management and Landscape Modifi- cation for Environmental Protection conference December 13-14, 1993 in Chicago, Illinois. State-of-the-art information on land management,