Since the Seaway opened on June 26th,1959, the environmental and economic damage brought on by opening the Great Lakes to international ships has been significant. These principles address a broad range of environmental impacts including: invasive species, climate change, Seaway expansion, air emissions, ship-borne pollution, ice-breaking, and governance issues. While international vessels have been a focal point for many of the environmental impacts associated with shipping on the Great Lakes, particularly invasive species, the principles also address domestic operations.

Therefore be it resolved that Great Lakes United recommends to the State of Illinois, the Mayor of Chicago and the governments of the United States and Canada that a comprehensive study about ways to achieve true separation of the Mississippi River and Great Lakes basins be performed by expert entities, and Be it further resolved that this study be completed within two years, followed by immediate implementation of study recommendations to separate the Mississippi River and Great Lakes basins and protect the two watersheds from transfer of invasive species.

Therefore be it resolved that Great Lakes United recommend that:
The Great Lakes Fishery Commission requests the regulators of Great Lakes states on the 316b fish kill permits to adopt short and long terms and conditions to 3316b intake permits.

The Great Lakes Fishery Commission requests that there also be a permit term and condition that would require payment to the Great Lakes Fishery Trust based on the quantity and type of fish kills to aide in research and programs that support and sustain fish in the Great Lakes.

Great Lakes states, provinces, tribes and First Nations adopt short and long terms and conditions to hydroelectric intake permits.

Therefore be it resolved that Great Lakes United strongly advises respective governments and jurisdictions to closely scrutinize the process and declaration of a decommissioned nuclear power reactor as "greenfield" or "brownfield". That a thorough, independent investigation to determine site characterization; liabilities; declarations of legacy contaminations; binding agreements; jurisdictional authority all be conducted prior to declaration of site status and prior to any transfer or lease of said properties. If after this scrutinization
remediation is indicated, then it is advised that remediation occur at the expense of current owner of said properties with a specific time table.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Canadian government, and specifically the Minister of Natural Resources, and the agency under the Minister's direction, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, introduce and support legislation to make generators keep their intermediate grade radioactive waste safe-guarded at point of origin.

Therefore be it resolved that Great Lakes United ask the Prime Minister of Canada to direct the Minister of Natural Resources to immediately amend the Nuclear Liability Act to increase the mandatory operator held insurance coverage to the present international monetary level and update and amend the Nuclear Liability Act at least at every five year interval.

Therefore be it resolved that Great Lakes United calls on our federal, state and provincial governments to immediately shift taxpayer funds away from fossil fuels and nuclear power into support for distributed renewable energy generators, energy efficiency, and conservation measures, to massively reduce greenhouse gas emissions and their health and environmental harms, and urgently try to mitigate as much as possible the effects of global warming and climate change.

This report outlines five areas in which the Obama administration and 111th Congress can take action to stop invasive species in the United States. It includes: screening intentional imports; preventing inadvertent introductions; funding early detection and response; federal leadership; addressing other funding gaps.

Preliminary research suggests that the annual cost to the Great Lakes region from invasive species introduced by shipping may be upwards of $200 million dollars a year because invasions limit the ability of the natural ecosystem to support fisheries, raw water uses, and wildlife watching. This factsheet explores some of these first findings.

The undersigned Great Lakes organizations are writing in strong support of bill H.R. 3049/ S.1402 the Asian Carp Prevention and Control Act. We support listing Asian carp (black, bighead and silver) as injurious under the Lacey Act and protecting the Great Lakes by closing a major loophole in the trade regime.

A letter to the Standing Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Commons supporting the Canadian Environmental Law Association’s suggested amendments to Bill C-20, regarding nuclear industry liability, the proposed Nuclear Liability and Compensation Act.

Therefore be it resolved that Great Lakes United endorse the principles behind the original proposal for Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals (REACH) legislation in Europe and Be it further resolved that Great Lakes United endorse and advocate the need for the similar legislation in Canada and the United States.