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The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence

Cities Initiative helps mayors and other local officials develop and advocate programs to improve the resource.

 

Importance of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence to Mayors

Mayors in the basin have a direct interest and stake in the sustainability of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence. As the world's largest freshwater resource and an international treasure, they are essential to the continued vitality of the cities, townships, villages and counties along the shores and in the surrounding watershed.

The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence support countless recreational, commercial, tourism, and cultural activities for citizens and visitors; drive economic development and improve the economic value of shoreline communities; support critical aquatic and coastal ecosystems; provide fresh drinking water for millions of people; and support agricultural and industrial activities.

Why a Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative?

Despite such a significant stake in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence, to date Mayors have not had an active voice in the development and implementation of policies and programs. A variety of efforts have been underway for decades, but almost none involve municipal leaders until recently. Furthermore, these efforts need more coordination with each other and more focus on long-term protection and restoration of this vital resource. Not protecting, improving, and preserving the resource could jeopardize public and environmental health as well as the economic prosperity of all Great Lakes and St. Lawrence communities.