Lake Superior is faced with many of the same issues which affect the lower Great Lakes. These include chemical contaminants, habitat loss and degradation, areas of concern and developing sustainability. Problems are intensified by new and emerging issues such as a huge increase in proposed mining developments along with severe economic downturn due to industry losses in the forestry sector. For close to 20 years, the Lake Superior Binational Forum representing citizen stakeholders, co-ordinated by EcoSuperior and Northland College, has been at the centre of Lake Superior Binational Program restoration and protection efforts. A detailed review of programs and projects implemented by these organizations, both successes and failures, reveals useful lessons. Initiatives include a full range of activities from benthic biomonitoring, survey research and pollution prevention to outreach campaigns and community events. Such practical experience on this Great Lakes source watershed is essential information for all organizations striving to achieve future progress in meeting Lakewide Management Plan goals.

1. Lake Superior
Making it Great: Keeping it Great
Lessons Learned on Superior
Jim Bailey
www.superiorforum.org

3. Lake Superior Binational Program
Government agencies & partners
U.S. EPA,
Environment Canada,
Ontario:
• Ministry of Environment,
• Ministry of Natural Resources
Minnesota
• Pollution Control Agency
• Dept. of Natural Resources
Wisconsin
• Dept. of Natural Resources
Michigan
• Dept. of Env. Quality

4. Key goal:
• Restore and protect the Lake Superior basin
ecosystem

5. Common mission
Lake Superior Binational Forum
Northland College
EcoSuperior

6. Northland College
Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute
Ashland, Wisconsin
environmental liberal arts
college
Curriculum focusing on
Lake Superior
Supports Forum outreach,
provides faculty expertise
and student assistance
20 year relationship with
Forum

7. EcoSuperior
Encourage environmental
stewardship in the Lake
Superior basin
Non-profit
Volunteer board of directors
Staff of 12 people
Thunder Bay

8. Central focus…
Actions & lessons learned

9. Focus:
Directly address core
Binational Program
objectives

10. Lake Superior Binational Forum
Volunteer stakeholders:
12 Canadian
12 American
Public Engagement, Outreach and Practical Action
Funding:
US EPA & Environment Canada
Coordinated by:
Northland College and EcoSuperior

12. Get along
...Or get out of the way

13. Lake Superior Binational Forum
Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention
Mining

14. Sault Ste. Marie, May 2010
Launch of the “Lake Superior Aquatic Invasive
Species Complete Prevention Plan”
First binational and lakewide prevention plan in the
Great Lakes
Direct Co-operation
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Environment Canada
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters

17. Mining
“...seek opportunities to work with
the mining sector on actions that
promote the sustainable restoration
and protection of the Lake Superior
ecosystem.”
Lake Superior Lakewide Management
Plan Annual Report 2011

18. Letter from Forum to
Canadian Environmental
Assessment Agency