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.

The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing new exhaust emission standards to benefit citizens of the Great Lakes region who breathe the dirty air emitted by commercial vessels. Some Great Lakes shippers are making misleading claims about the impact of the rules on their competitiveness and on environmental health, and are lobbying for exemptions to the regulations. Here are some of the key issues the industry is raising and answers that demonstrate the importance of enacting the rules.

Comments in response to a draft International Joint Commission report, "Impacts on Upper Great Lakes Water Levels: St. Clair River". The comments urge the IJC to change its two primary recommendations, concerning remedial action and the approach to mitigation measures in light of climate change.

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.

A history of the Buffalo River AOC and the unique partnership between Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper and EPA to clean it up.

The experience of the St. Lawrence River Restoration Council and the St. Lawrence River Area of Concern (AOC) and the factors to consider when deciding whether an AOC should be binational or not.

Therefore be it resolved that Great Lakes United affirm its support of the right of all citizens to walk along the shores of the Great Lakes. Therefore be it further resolved that Great Lakes United draft a letter supporting the right of all citizens to walk along the shores of the Great Lakes and to pursue the endorsement of affiliated organizations and send this letter to applicable federal, state and provincial agencies and legislators, including Ontario MPPs on Bill 43.

Therefore be it resolved that Great Lakes United supports statements by the United States Environmental Protection Agency labor unions, Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE), and professionals wordwide that the practice of artificial drinking water fluoridation be terminated. Therefore be it further resolved that Great Lakes United works to reverse existing government policies supporting artificial drinking water fluoridation.

Therefore be it resolved that Great Lakes United recognizes the need for repair and maintenance of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway at current configurations to ensure worker and shipping safety; and, Therefore be it further resolved that Great Lakes United opposes the construction of a third commercial lock at Sault Ste. Marie, due to it being an unnecessary expenditure of nearly half a billion dollars on an unjustified navigation project; and, Therefore be it further resolved that Great Lakes United urges new funding be allocated to restoring the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River, and specifically addressing pressing navigation concerns and impacts, such as climate change and invasive species.

Therefore be it resolved that Great Lakes United take action to inform the general public, the U.S. and Canadian federal governments, other appropriate governing bodies, and the International Joint Commission of the health risks associated with pollution of the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River by ionizing radiation. Specifically, Great Lakes United will:
-draft a letter outlining these concerns to the U.S. and Canadian federal governments and the International Joint Commission; and,
-Ensure the coalition membership and concerned citizens are kept aware of this issue.

Testimony of the National Environmental Coalition on Invasive Species before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Hearing on the Importation of Exotic Species and the Impact on Public Health and Safety. Invasions by exotic plants, animals, and pathogens into non-native environments pose one of the most significant, but least addressed, threats to human health, agriculture and our natural ecosystems. Monkey pox, SARS and West Nile virus are the new buzzwords of public health, as communicable diseases increasingly leap hosts from animals to humans. In the United States, in 2002 alone, West Nile virus claimed more than 60 lives among constituencies represented by this committee and sickened more than a 1,000 people. Deliberate animal imports (legal or illegal) are thought to be one of the most likely ways that WNV got to New York City in 1999.

Notes from a presentation at Great Lakes United's 2001 workshop, "Extended Producer Responsibility and the Automotive Industry". In this presentation Saab discusses their EPR practices.