The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement
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Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement 1978
What is the Great Lakes Water
Quality Agreement?
The Agreement, first signed in 1972 and renewed in 1978,
expresses the commitment of each country to restore and maintain the
chemical, physical and biological integrity of the Great Lakes Basin
Ecosystem and includes a number of objectives and guidelines to
achieve these goals. It reaffirms the rights and obligation of
Canada and the United States under the Boundary Waters Treaty and
has become a major focus of Commission activity.
In 1987, a Protocol was signed amending the 1978 Agreement. The
amendments aim to strengthen the programs, practices and technology
described in the 1978 Agreement and to increase accountability for
their implementation. Timetables are set for implementation of
specific programs.
The Parties will meet biennially to discuss progress and report
periodically to the Commission. New annexes address atmospheric
deposition of toxic pollutants, contaminated sediments, groundwater,
and nonpoint sources of pollution. Annexes are also added to
incorporate the development and implementation of remedial action
plans for Areas of Concern and lakewide management plans to control
critical pollutants.
The Commission monitors and assesses progress under the Agreement and advises Governments on matters related to the quality of the boundary waters of the Great Lakes system. The Agreement also calls upon the Commission to assist the Governments with joint programs under the Agreement, and provides for two binational boards -- the Great Lakes Water Quality Board and the Great Lakes Science Advisory Board -- to advise the Commission.
Revised
Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement of 1978
Agreement, with
Annexes and Terms of Reference
between the United States and Canada signed at Ottawa November 22, 1978
and Phosphorus Load Reduction Supplement signed October 16, 1983
as amended by
Protocol signed November 18, 1987 Office Consolidation
INTERNATIONAL JOINT COMMISSION UNITED STATES AND
CANADA
September, 1989
AGREEMENT BETWEEN CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ON GREAT LAKES QUALITY, 1978
Article
- Definitions
- Purpose
- General Objectives
- Specific Objectives
- Standards, Other Regulatory Requirements, and Research
- Programs and Other Measures
- Powers, Responsibilities and Functions of the IJC
- Joint Institutions and Regional Office
- Submission and Exchange of Information
- Consultation and Review
- Implementation
- Existing Rights and Obligations
- Amendment
- Entry Into Force and Termination
- Supersession
Annex
- Specific Objectives
- Remedial Action Plans and Lakewide Management Plans
- Control of Phosphorus
- Discharges of Oil and Hazardous Polluting Substances from Vessels
- Discharges of Vessel WasteS
- Review of Pollution from Shipping Sources
- Dredging
- Discharges from Onshore and Offshore Facilities
- Joint Contingency Plan
- Hazardous Polluting Substances
- Surveillance and Monitoring
- Persistent Toxic Substances
- Pollution from Non-Point Sources
- Contaminated Sediment
- Airborne Toxic Substances
- Pollution from Contaminated Groundwater
- Research and Development
Terms of Reference for the Joint Institutions and the Great Lakes Regional Office