The Great Lakes Agreement: A Comprehensive Plan for Protecting Our Water
The Great Lakes Agreement is a historic collaboration of eight states and two Canadian provinces that border the Great Lakes. The goal of the agreement is to protect the largest system of freshwater in the world and the people who depend on it.
The Great Lakes are a vital resource for drinking water, agricultural irrigation, and recreation. Over 40 million people rely on the Great Lakes for their daily lives. This agreement recognizes the importance of protecting this resource and creates a framework for addressing the challenges facing the Great Lakes.
The agreement was first signed in 1985 and has been updated twice, in 2005 and 2019. The most recent update, known as the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA), is a comprehensive plan for addressing the challenges facing the Great Lakes.
The GLWQA identifies six key areas for action: aquatic invasive species, Areas of Concern, Chemicals of Mutual Concern, nutrients, discharges from vessels, and groundwater. These areas were identified based on input from stakeholders, including industry, government agencies, and environmental groups.
One of the primary goals of the GLWQA is to reduce the amount of phosphorus entering the Great Lakes. Phosphorus is a nutrient that can cause harmful algal blooms, which can be toxic to humans and wildlife. The agreement sets targets for reducing phosphorus levels and requires each state and province to develop a plan for achieving these targets.
The GLWQA also addresses invasive species, which can disrupt the natural balance of the Great Lakes ecosystem. The agreement includes measures to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species, as well as plans for controlling existing populations.
The GLWQA is a comprehensive plan that takes a collaborative approach to protecting the Great Lakes. It recognizes that the challenges facing the Great Lakes are complex and require a multi-faceted approach. The agreement provides a framework for addressing these challenges and protecting this vital resource for generations to come.
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