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International Joint Commission Newsletter update - Via IJC.org
International Joint Commission - Newsletter
85% Say Protecting the Great Lakes 'Highly

Important,' 30% Unsure of Steps to Take

 
At top, an image from the cover of the report. At bottom, results from a question on protecting the lakes. 

Welcome to Issue 4, Vol. 4, of the IJC Newsletter

The IJGreat Lakes Public Opinion Poll infographicC's Great Lakes Water Quality Board has released one of the largest-ever public opinion polls of watershed residents in eight U.S. states and the Canadian province of Ontario. Find out more about the results, and how they'll be used, in a new blog post below. Click the infographic on the left for an overview of the results. 

Also join us Monday, April 18, in Washington, D.C., for a public panel discussion about the poll, or tune in live via Periscope

Why Poll People about the Great Lakes – Who Doesn’t Love the Great Lakes? 

Of course, it’s no secret that people love the Great Lakes. But finding out the particulars, like what issues people want to know more about, why they treasure the lakes and who’s responsible for their protection, is essential.

Almost 4,000 basin residents were surveyed by Oraclepoll of Ontario, providing a valuable picture of how the public perceives the Great Lakes, including key environmental issues, threats and opportunities.


duluth seaway port authorityReady for Spring: US-Flag Fleets Invest $110 million Over Winter

U.S.-flag vessel operators on the Great Lakes have committed more than $110 million to maintain and modernize their vessels in 2016.

The investment includes about $60 million for typical winter lay-up maintenance and repair work plus another $50 million in projects that involve repowering vessels or installing exhaust scrubbers.
 

Draft StrategyDraft Strategy is First Milestone of Rainy-Namakan Rule Curve Review

How do you evaluate a rule curve? What exactly is a rule curve, anyway? You can read on for more about the latest work of the Rainy and Namakan Lakes Rule Curves Study Board. 

The water levels of Rainy Lake and the Namakan chain of lakes, in an area bounded by Ontario and Minnesota, are regulated within upper and lower limits set by the IJC. These limits are known as a rule curve. The rule curve is designed to maintain sufficient water levels for a wide variety of uses and interests.


wetland monitoring GLAMWetland Monitoring on the Horizon for Great Lakes Adaptive Management

Adaptive management is nothing new. Canada and the United States have asked the IJC to evaluate fluctuations in levels and flows in the Great Lakes periodically over the last half century.

In early 2015, the IJC formed the Great Lakes Adaptive Management (GLAM) Committee. The goal is to assist the St. Lawrence River, Lake Superior, and Niagara boards of control to evaluate the long-term effects of water regulation plans and the resulting effect of fluctuating water levels and flows on socio-economic interests and the environment.

lake erie algae targets canada us Canada, US Set Lake Erie Algae Reduction Targets: What Happens Next?

Canadian and U.S. government agencies, and the IJC, are on the same page when it comes to phosphorus reduction targets needed to restore Lake Erie. 

Achieving the 40 percent reduction targets will be challenging. All sectors of society, not simply the agricultural community, will have to play a role. 

2015 annual activities report ijcDon’t Read the 2015 Annual Activities Report (Until You Take This Quiz)

Some people can’t remember what they had for lunch yesterday. How well do you remember what the IJC was up to in 2015?

Have no fear, we wrote it down. We’ve released our 2015 Annual Activities Report, summing up events and projects from last year. You may have forgotten some things, and be surprised to learn about others.
 

>>> Upcoming Events

April 18 - Panel Discussion on Great Lakes Public Opinion Poll  

April 26 - Microplastics in the Great Lakes Workshop

>>> Popular on Social Media

Facebook -  "They’re charismatic, gentle giants who look like sharks and have been around for more than 150 million years" http://buff.ly/1NoI6gP

Twitter -  Spiny water flea: Great Lakes 1982, reached Lake of the Woods 2007 @mndnr http://buff.ly/1S5AxQh #ICAIS2016

Instagram -  From LakeOsoyoos - Credit: Ford Waterstrat, Lake Osoyoos Association, Osoyoos Lake Board of Control - 

LinkedIn -  Job opening: Executive Director - West Michigan Environmental Action Council 
 


About the IJC: The International Joint Commission (IJC) prevents and resolves disputes between the United States of America and Canada under the 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty and pursues the common good of both countries as an independent and objective adviser to the two governments.

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Cheers!
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