2012 Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement: annex 5


Annex 5

  1. Purpose
  2. Programs and Other Measures
  3. Reporting
  4. Definitions

A. Purpose

The purpose of this Annex is to contribute to the achievement of the General and Specific Objectives of this Agreement by preventing and controlling vessel discharges that are harmful to the quality of the Waters of the Great Lakes, through the adoption and implementation of regulations, programs, and other measures that facilitate coordinated and cooperative implementation and enforcement, where appropriate.

B. Programs and Other Measures

The Parties’ responsibility for implementation of this Annex is expected to rest principally with Transport Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Canadian Coast Guard, the United States Coast Guard, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency and other agencies, as appropriate. These responsible authorities shall meet annually to consider issues of this Annex.

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 adopt programs and measures that:

Discharges

The Parties shall address discharges to the Waters of the Great Lakes as follows:

Reception facilities

The Parties shall, as appropriate, ensure that adequate facilities are provided to receive, treat and dispose of vessel wastes such as Oil and Hazardous Polluting Substances, Garbage, Wastewater, and Sewage, and Ballast Water.

Review of discharges from Vessels

The Parties shall review services, systems, programs, recommendations, standards and regulations relating to shipping activities for the purpose of maintaining or improving the quality of the Waters of the Great Lakes. The review shall include, without limitation:

C. Reporting

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

The Parties, through their responsible authorities, may provide additional detailed reports to the International Joint Commission about the progress made under this Annex, prior to the International Joint Commission’s Triennial Meeting on Great Lakes water quality. The Parties will make these reports available to the Public.

D. Definitions

In this Annex:

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