Great Lakes Binational Toxic Strategy Update

THE GREAT LAKES BINATIONAL TOXICS STRATEGY Great Lakes Binational Toxics Strategy Update 2006 Integration Workgroup Meeting February 16, 2006 Windsor 1 THE GREAT LAKES BINATIONAL TOXICS STRATEGY BEC Presentation Content What we've done Report on the Management Assessment of GLBTS Level 1 Substances Path Forward 2 THE GREAT LAKES BINATIONAL TOXICS STRATEGY What we’ve done What is the GLBTS? Implementation since 1997 (first 5 years) IJC Review of BTS Evaluating environmental outcomes at midterm What needed to be done next (2002-2006) 3 THE GREAT LAKES BINATIONAL TOXICS STRATEGY Report on the Management Assessment of GLBTS Level 1 Substances General Framework to Assess Management of GLBTS Level 1 Substances GLBTS Level 1 Substances Constructing a Management Framework Development Consultation Implementation GLBTS Management Assessment Environmental Analysis Have sufficient risk- NO based criteria been established (e.g., GLI or other)? Have the challenge goals for the substance been met? YES NO YES Do we have environmental or health data to assess the impact of the substance in the Basin? NO Is the YES trend decreasing? High Priority for Benchmark or Criteria Development High Priority for Monitoring NO YES Do levels in biota, air, water, etc. exceed criteria? NO Is there a reason for concern based on use/release/ exposure data or the precautionary approach? NO YES YES NO Can new challenge goals be established? NO Principally lake specific? YES Ability for GLBTS to effect further reductions? YES YES NO Active Level 1 Status & Periodic Reassessment by GLBTS Consider Submission to BEC for New Challenge Goals Engage LaMP Process Suspend GLBTS Workgroup Activities. Where warranted, refer to another program, and/or participate in other fora. Periodic Reassessment by GLBTS, until Parties determine substance has been virtually eliminated. 4 THE GREAT LAKES BINATIONAL TOXICS STRATEGY What we found Some GLBTS Level 1 substances remain in the Great Lakes at levels exceeding criteria Significant progress has been made Source reduction opportunities still remain 5 THE GREAT LAKES BINATIONAL TOXICS STRATEGY We Have Built a Strong Foundation Governance Attributes: Raised visibility of Persistent Toxic Substances Promoted practical, achievable reductions Provided coordination and collaboration opportunities Expanded collection and dissemination of existing information, and developed new information 6 THE GREAT LAKES BINATIONAL TOXICS STRATEGY Path Forward Finish The Job: Virtual elimination of existing GLBTS Level 1 Substances and P2 actions for Level 2 Substances 10th Anniversary workshop in 2007 Explore in context of the GLWQA review: The need for a Framework to identify and address new and emerging chemical threats to the Great Lakes ecosystem Role for GLBTS in information dissemination Increased international outreach and coordination 7