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.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Great Lakes United calls on the Federal Cabinet to immediately overrule the Minister's decision and direct her to make preparations for a full, independent panel environmental assessment hearing to fully address the health and social concerns expressed by the public.

Therefore be it resolved that the Canada/United States Air Quality Agreement strengthened by the parties to the agreement to include annexes that include objectives addressing:

• Nitrogen oxide emissions from stationary sources in Canada and the United States
• Volatile organic compounds emissions from stationary and mobile souces in Canada and the United States
• Air toxics emissions from stationary sources in Canada and the United States
• Particulate matter emissions from stationary and mobile sources in Canada and the United States
• Greenhouse gases emissions from stationary and mobile sources in Canada and the United State

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Great Lakes United urges the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board and the members of the Wisconsin legislature to remedy the deficiencies described above by amending the draft regulations proposed by the WDNR to include the improvements recommended by Great Lakes United and the other groups participating in the Wisconsin Campaign for Clean Water and then to adopt them in final form; AND

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Governor of Wisconsin, the Secretary of the WDNR, members of the appropriate committees of the Wisconsin legislature, and all seven members of the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board.