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U.S.-Canada committee releases Great Lakes health reports
November 17, 2016 By Ground Water Canada
Toronto – The International Joint Commission has released summary reports from its recent public roundtables in Milwaukee, Wis., and Toronto on the health and potential of Lakes Ontario and Michigan.
Five presentations summarized issues and initiatives in the areas of waterfront regeneration, the Toronto Remedial Action Plan, wastewater treatment, toxic substances, and fish habitat.
Several recommendations were made regarding toxic substances:
● List radionuclides as a chemical of mutual concern (CMC) and take same actions on radionuclides that governments are taking on other CMCs.
● Take action to reduce the risk of an underwater pipeline spill, especially from the existing pipeline at the Straits of Mackinac and other pipelines currently undergoing review.
● Increase funding and support for education and citizen science to increase awareness about the value of the Great Lakes.
● If one country has standards for a toxic chemical, it should automatically become a CMC for both countries.
● Increase funding and support to reduce contaminants in wastewater.
● Increase funding and support to identify emerging contaminants and address their risks.
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