Commission established

CHICAGO, IL

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Environment Canada recently announced the release of comprehensive, bi-national plans to protect and restore Lakes Erie, Michigan, and Superior. The Lakewide Management Plans (LaMPs) address problems in the entire ecosystem of each lake, not just at polluted "hot spots." The plans outline the environmental status of each lake, highlights successes, identifies problems, and proposes solutions. Because of the evolving nature of the lakes, the plans will be updated every two years.

The release of the LaMPs coincides with the release of the Lake Ontario Lakewide Management Plan Update and the Lake Huron Initiative Report.

The plans were developed by EPA, Environment Canada, other Federal agencies, and State, Provincial, local, and tribal governments, in partnership with representatives of academia, environmental groups, industry, and business.

"The plans are essentially snapshots of what we know about each lake at this time. It has become apparent that we cannot solely rely on traditional regulatory activities to solve the lakes' complex problems," said Regional Administrator Francis X. Lyons. "Effective solutions will require a broader approach. In fact, some activities will be accomplished more effectively at the community level by private citizens and local governments, while others will require more international cooperation."

The Great Lakes are one of the most outstanding natural resources in the world. They contain almost 20 percent of the fresh water on the planet and provide drinking water to more than 25 million people in the United States and Canada. They are a shining example of environmental protection at its best. While there has been a dramatic reduction in pollutants entering the lakes over the last 30 years, complex problems remain.