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.