Lake Superior
Binational Program and
Lakewide Management Plan
Lynelle Hanson
Lake Superior Binational Forum Meeting
Ashland, Wisconsin
March 23, 2012
Strong history of cooperation in
Lake Superior management
Canada-U.S.
Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement
Purpose to restore and
maintain the chemical,
physical, and biological
integrity of the waters of
the Great Lakes Basin
Ecosystem
•
Signed in 1972 with a focus on nutrients; phosphorus in Lake Erie
•
Revised in 1978 with additional focus on toxics
•
Revision in 1987 introduced Lakewide Management Plans
(LaMP) and Areas of Concern (AOC)
•
Renegotiation currently underway 2009 - 2012
3
LaMP Implementation
background
Boundary Waters
Treaty (1909)
IJC
Canada-U.S.
Great Lakes Water
Quality Agreement
Great Lakes Management between
Canada-U.S.
4
LaMP Implementation
canadian support
Boundary Waters
Treaty (1909)
IJC
Canada-U.S.
Great Lakes Water
Quality Agreement
Great Lakes Management between
Canada-U.S.
Government of
Canada
Canada-Ontario
Federal Great Lakes
Program
Canada-Ontario
Agreement
Great Lakes Management in Canada
5
LaMP Implementation
united states support
Boundary Waters
Treaty (1909)
Clean Water Act
IJC
Canada-U.S.
Great Lakes Water
Quality Agreement
EPA Administrator
Region 5 Regional Administrator
(National Program Manager for the Great Lakes)
Great Lakes National Program Office
Great Lakes Management between
Canada-U.S.
Great Lakes Management in United States
6
LaMP Implementation
lake superior binational program

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Program announced in
1991 to restore and
protect the Lake
Superior basin
A partnership of federal,
state, provincial, First
Nation and tribal
governments who work
together with citizens to
protect the Lake
7
LaMP Implementation
governance
Binational Executive Committee
Task Force
Superior Work Group
LS Binational Forum
Action Committees
Great Lakes Community
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LaMP Implementation
binational strategies

Zero-Discharge Demonstration Program

The Broader Program



Ecosystem Goals and Sub-goals
Lake Superior Aquatic Invasive Species Complete
Prevention Plan
 To prevent new aquatic invasive species from entering
and becoming established in Lake Superior.
Lake Superior Ecosystem Climate Change Adaptation Plan
 Purpose to to identify the additional actions necessary
for Lake Superior’s habitats, species, and water quality
to best adapt to a changing climate.
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Ecosystem Goals
Outcomes



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Diverse, healthy and self-sustaining native plant and
animal communities exist in the Lake Superior basin.
A program is in place to monitor the abundance,
distribution, and health of plant and animal populations
and communities in the Lake Superior basin.
Native species populations are at appropriate levels
throughout the Lake Superior basin.
No new non-native, harmful invasive species are
introduced into the Lake Superior basin.
Air and water quality are restored. Water quantity and
soils are conserved.
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Commitments
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A Vision for Lake Superior
As citizens of Lake Superior we believe…

that water is life and the quality of water determines the quality of life.
We see a Lake Superior watershed…

that is a clean, safe environment where diverse life forms exist in harmony;
where the environment can support and sustain economic development and where
the citizens are committed to regional cooperation and personal philosophy of
stewardship;

that is free of toxic substances that threaten fish, wildlife and human health;
where people can drink the water or eat the fish anywhere in the lake without
restrictions;

where wild shorelines and islands are maintained and where development is
well planned, visually pleasing, biologically sound, and conducted in an
environmentally benign manner;

which recognizes that environmental integrity provides the foundation for a
healthy economy and that the ingenuity which results from clean, innovative and
preventive management and technology can provide for economic transformation
of the region;

where citizens accept the personal responsibility and challenge of pollution
prevention in their own lives and lifestyles and are committed to moving from a
consumer society to a conserver society; and

where there is greater cooperation, leadership and responsibility among 12
citizens of the basin for defining long-term policies and procedures which will