This is available as a pdf
October 22, 2007
Marc Gagnon
Director General
Société de développement économique du Saint-Laurent (SODES)
271 de l’Estuaire, C.P. 2268
Québec City, QC
G1K 7P7
Dear Mr. Gagnon,
On behalf of Great Lakes United, I would like to express our support of the Green Marine Environmental Program undertaken by the St. Lawrence – Great Lakes maritime industry. Green Marine is an initiative under which participants take voluntary actions above those required by current regulation to reduce their environmental impacts and improve their environmental performance. Great Lakes United serves as an environmental advisor to Green Marine and works extensively on aquatic invasive species prevention from the ballast of international commercial vessels, as well as working to find resolution to issues of dry cargo residue, navigational dredging and air pollution.
Great Lakes United recognizes the importance of undertaking diverse approaches to protect the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River from the negative impacts of industrial operations. To reach a goal of protecting and restoring the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River we pursue regulatory reform as well as promote voluntary improvements. We will work to advance Green Marine objectives that aim to: improve the environmental performance of the maritime industry by reducing the impact of its activities; strengthen dialogue between the maritime industry and the environmental community; and, establish collaborations and environmental strategies with partners in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River region. We anticipate continued collaboration as an environmental advisor to Green Marine. In particular, as an advisor, we are interested in advancing a commitment to regular and accurate reporting of progress to meet the program’s measurable goals.
In this respect, Great Lakes United’s efforts reflect the potential for marine transportation to excel at environmental sustainability. However, current maritime industry practices continue to cause severe environmental degradation. Such degradation is sharply demonstrated by the regular introduction of aquatic invasive species that wreak havoc on freshwater ecosystems and the financial health of municipal water works. Environment Canada estimates that the Great Lakes region spends over $500 million dollars per year dealing with damage caused by zebra mussels – just one species introduced by ocean vessels into this region. Ballast water regulations imposed by the federal government are woefully inadequate in preventing the next invader from arriving and devastating the region.
While Great Lakes United pursues regulatory reform in both Canada and the United States and encourages voluntary improvements, it is important to recognize that current levels of municipal expense and ecosystem damage are a public subsidy to an industry not yet sustainable. For these reasons, Great Lakes United will not be endorsing or advancing the Green Marine objective of “increasing understanding… of the environmental advantages of marine transportation” until such time as the disadvantages of maritime transportation are mitigated through regulation or achievement of Green Marine’s highest goals on a consistent basis.
In this vein, Great Lakes United requires that our name not be used in any context that markets or communicates international marine transportation as “the most environmentally friendly mode of transportation” or in terms of a sustainable mode of transportation. We look forward to the time that we can endorse marine transportation as such, and commit to working diligently with you towards that day.
Please accept our congratulations on the release of the Green Marine Environmental Program, and our appreciation of your efforts to protect the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Nalbone
Invasive Species and Navigation, Campaign Director
Great Lakes United |
