The document discusses the need for a new Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA) to address current threats to the Great Lakes ecosystem, such as climate change, invasive species, and pollution. It notes that while the new agreement makes some progress, such as adding annexes on climate and habitat, there are still concerns about governance structures, accountability, and citizen involvement. It urges citizens to make their voices heard to ensure the new agreement has the strength needed to protect the Great Lakes. Moving forward, groups will work within the new system, build capacity across borders, and continue collaboration on pressing issues.

1. The GLWQA: Deciding our priorities and bottom lines? Founders Ballroom,Thursday, October 201110:15-11:15 a.m.

2. The New Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement What we know What we don’t know and what it could mean for the Great Lakes Great Lakes United H2ONOW! 10-13-11

3. Why Action is Needed The vitality and resilience of the Great Lakes ecosystem is in the balance. Unless we take bold action rapidly, the Great Lakes are at real risk of irreparable ecologicaldamage and decline. Great Lakes United H2ONOW! 10-13-11

4. Importance of GLWQA Shared goals and strategies to protect the Great Lakes through a formal agreement Ecosystem-wide approach Basin-wide Great Lakes community of knowledge, leadership and strategic collaboration Broader framework than any single agency or set of objectives: chemical, physical and biological integrity of the Great Lakes ecosystem. Great Lakes United H2ONOW! 10-13-11

5. A New Agreement is Needed A new Agreement must be visionary and bold, pushing beyond old barriers to pollution cleanup and prevention But, also addressing the challenges of climate disruption, invasive species, and more. Great Lakes United H2ONOW! 10-13-11

6. Citizen group actions and input throughout negotiations The Review – 2007 During Negotiations: February 2010 July 2010 September 2011 Unable to participate in shaping draft Agreement language and no direct involvement during actual negotiations – unlike situation in 1987 Great Lakes United H2ONOW! 10-13-11

7. Progress (we think) in these areas New annex on climate New annex on habitat New annex on invasive species Seats for local governments, Tribes, First Nations and Métis on governing committee “GLEC” Great Lakes United H2ONOW! 10-13-11

8. Little or no improvement or backsliding RAPs Governing Structures Citizen Role No seats on GLEC No right to petition Accountability Few deadlines or targets in Agreement itself Targets and deadlines development shifted to after Agreement signed Role of IJC, especially Water Quality Board, vague Great Lakes United H2ONOW! 10-13-11

9. What now? Do our national leaders have the will to rise to the challenge of protecting the lakes at the scale and intensity that today’s threats require, or will the new Agreement be merely symbolic? YOUR VOICE can make the difference. Great Lakes United H2ONOW! 10-13-11

10. Going Forward: Working within the expected new system Attempt to populate subcommittees with sophisticated and engaged citizen leaders where possible (even with no funding to do so) Build ownership for oversight in key Congressional and Parliamentary bodies Attempt to influence the “nearshore” framework—especially when it comes to whole watershed strategies Great Lakes United H2ONOW! 10-13-11

11. Going Forward: Building binational capacity If the new GLWQA can’t provide a sufficient framework for a driving a binational Great Lakes strategy, then we need to build complementary structures and leadership communities to fill the gap. Work closely with IJC Work closely with other binational organizations and institutions (IAGLR, Great Lakes United, Great Lakes Fishery Commission, Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, Sierra Club, etc.) Great Lakes United H2ONOW! 10-13-11

12. Some Possible Next Steps Organize a binational citizens forum next spring “post-Agreement’ Ask IJC to convene binational working groups on urgent issues that won’t wait for three years for recommendations under the new GLEC. Phosphorus: the crisis in Lake Erie, the Fox River/Green Bay system, and beyond Climate: beyond the research to action Mining and the Lake Superior Basin Radioactive materials And more… Great Lakes United H2ONOW! 10-13-11

13. Keeping our collaboration going GLU will keep AGREEMENT WATCH alive Teams to explore strategies, conference calls as resources allow Set up working group and information exchange on Linked In or Facebook What else? Great Lakes United H2ONOW! 10-13-11

14. Regardless of the outcome… Great Lakes leaders will need to continue to collaborate and forge strategies across borders that will protect our treasured Great Lakes Great Lakes United H2ONOW! 10-13-11

15. For more information Contact John Jackson: jjackson@glu.org Jane Elder: jane@janeelderstrategies.com Visit the Great Lakes United Website www.glu.org Follow AGREEMEN T WATCH at http://www.glu.org/blog Great Lakes United H2ONOW! 10-13-11

16. Spread the word! Wireless password: HOW11 Conference website: Conference.healthylakes.org Email us photos, comments, tweets or video & we will post online: healthylakes@gmail.com On Twitter? Use the hashtag:#healthylakes