The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement is an agreement between Canada and the United States that provides for binational efforts to restore and protect the Great Lakes. The Agreement was created under the 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty, which mentions pollution as a problem the two countries will work to prevent. The cooperative system created by the two countries under the agreement is considered a global model for peaceful management of natural resources across an international boundary. The agreement contained a provision for periodic review as problems were solved or new problems recognized. The agreement is now undergoing such a review.

The governments are now engaged in drafting the first new version of the Agreement since 1987. Negotiations are actively underway and the process is moving very quickly. The public comment period is now closed.

Read the comments submitted by Great Lakes United on behalf of over 40 groups by clicking here. 

For frequent updates on the process and ways you can help work for an Agreement that reflects our concerns and solutions see the Agreement Watch Blog on our Web site.

We have produced a new backgrounder on the Agreement: High Stakes for Our Great Lakes Agreement that summarizes key issues and citizen priorities.

We have also updated our summary of frequently asked questions and answers about the Agreement.
GLU and many partner organizations submitted extensive written comments on the Agreement during the consultation period in 2010. Priorities from these recommendations are highlighted in the new backgrounder. Full comments can be viewed by clicking the following link:
 

ENGO Final Comments Submitted July 9, 2010

• Governance
• Toxic Substances
• Science Coordination
• Habitat and Species
• Climate Change
• Aquatic Invasive Species
• Nutrients
• Ship Source Pollution