2012 Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement: annex 4


Annex 4

  1. Purpose
  2. Lake Ecosystem Objectives
  3. Substance Objectives
  4. Programs and Other Measures
  5. Science
  6. Reporting

A. Purpose

The purpose of this Annex is to contribute to the achievement of the General and Specific Objectives of this Agreement by coordinating binational actions to manage phosphorus concentrations and loadings, and other nutrients if warranted, in the Waters of the Great Lakes.

B. Lake Ecosystem Objectives

To achieve the purpose of this Annex and pursuant to Article 3(1)(b)(i), the Parties hereby adopt Lake Ecosystem Objectives related to nutrients, including:

C. Substance Objectives

To achieve Lake Ecosystem Objectives, the Parties deem it essential to establish Substance Objectives, in accordance with Article 3(1)(b)(ii),for phosphorus concentrations for the open waters and nearshore areas of each Great Lake. To achieve these Substance Objectives for phosphorus concentrations, the Parties shall develop phosphorus loading targets and allocations for each Party for each Great Lake, as required.

The Parties shall retain the following Substance Objectives on an interim basis for phosphorus concentration in the open Waters of the Great Lakes until updated:

Interim Substance Objectives for Total Phosphorus Concentration in Open Waters (ug/l) (as represented by Spring means)

Lake Superior

5

Lake Huron

5

Lake Michigan

7

Lake Erie (western basin)

15

Lake Erie (central basin)

10

Lake Erie (eastern basin)

10

Lake Ontario

10

To help achieve these Substance Objectives, the Parties shall use the following phosphorus loading targets for the Waters of the Great Lakes on an interim basis until the loading targets are updated:

Interim Phosphorus Load Targets (Metric Tonnes Total P Per Year)

Lake Superior

3400

Lake Michigan

5600

Main Lake Huron

2800

Georgian Bay

600

North Channel

520

Saginaw Bay

440

Lake Erie

11000

Lake Ontario

7000

The Parties, in cooperation and consultation with State and Provincial Governments, Tribal Governments, First Nations, Métis, Municipal Governments, watershed management agencies, other local public agencies, and the Public, shall:

In establishing Substance Objectives for phosphorus concentrations and phosphorus loading targets, the Parties shall take into account the bioavailability of various forms of phosphorus, related productivity, seasonality, fisheries productivity requirements, climate change, invasive species, and other factors, such as downstream impacts, as necessary.

The Parties shall complete this work for Lake Erie within three years of entry into force of this Agreement and complete this work for the other Great Lakes on a schedule to be determined by the Parties.

The Parties shall periodically review the Substance Objectives for phosphorus concentrations, phosphorus loading targets, and phosphorus loading allocations, apportioned by country to ensure that Lake Ecosystem Objectives are met.

The Parties shall establish Substance Objectives, loading targets and loading allocations for other nutrients apportioned by country, as required, to control the growth of nuisance and toxic algae to achieve Lake Ecosystem Objectives.

D. Programs and Other Measures

The Parties, in cooperation and consultation with State and Provincial Governments, Tribal Governments, First Nations, Métis, Municipal Governments, watershed management agencies, other local public agencies, and the Public, shall develop and implement the following programs and other measures to achieve the Lake Ecosystem and Substance Objectives for phosphorus concentrations, loading targets, and loading allocations apportioned by country, established pursuant to this Annex:

E. Science

The Parties, in cooperation and consultation with State and Provincial Governments, Tribal Governments, First Nations, Métis, Municipal Governments, watershed management agencies, other local public agencies, and the Public, shall undertake the necessary research, monitoring and modeling to establish, report and assess Substance Objectives for phosphorus concentrations, loading targets, and loading allocations apportioned by country for the management of phosphorus and other nutrients, as required, and to further the understanding of issues such as:

The Parties shall do the following to maximize the effectiveness of the scientific activities referred to in this Annex:

F. Reporting

The Parties shall report on progress toward implementation of this Annex every three years through the Progress Report of the Parties. This report shall document:

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