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2003 GLBTS Progress Report
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Cover
[PDF 1.6MB 1pp] -
Introduction
[PDF 0.5MB 4pps] -
Main Body
[PDF 7.8MB 52pps] -
Appendix A
[PDF 11.5MB 26pps] -
Appendix B
[PDF 1.4MB 4pps] -
Back Cover
[PDF 1.4MB 1pp]
Great Lakes Binational Toxics Strategy
2003 Annual Progress Report
This past year, 2003, saw continued use and emissions reductions of key level I persistent toxic substances. Of seventeen GLBTS reduction goals set forth for the twelve level I persistent toxic substances in April 1997, nine have been met, four will be met by the target timeline date of 2006, and the remaining four will be well advanced toward meeting their targets by 2006. See Appendix B for a list of GLBTS reduction goal targets and their current status.
Environment Canada (EC), the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), and stakeholders from industry, academia, state/provincial and local governments, Tribes, First Nations, and environmental and community groups have worked together toward the achievement of the Strategy’s challenge goals. The GLBTS is a binational partnership agreement between Canada and the U.S., which commits to the reduction and virtual elimination of persistent toxic substances from the Great Lakes Basin through pollution prevention and toxic reduction activities. Many dedicated stakeholders on both sides of the border have joined in this partnership to help preserve and protect an invaluable ecosystem that comprises over 20% of all fresh water worldwide, and over 90% of the fresh water in North America.
About This Report
This report represents a comprehensive summary of
activities and accomplishments under the GLBTS for the
year 2003. Chapters 1 through 4 present highlights of
active substance workgroups for mercury, PCBs, dioxins/
furans, and HCB/B(a)P, respectively, including a review
of major projects and progress in source reductions toward
each of the interim challenge goals on both sides of the
border. Chapter 5 provides a synopsis of the four
quarterly Integration Workgroup meetings and the two
semi-annual Stakeholder Forum meetings, including a
summary of presentations, policy discussions, and key
decisions. Chapter 6 presents a summary of activities by
some of the key stakeholders in the GLBTS. Chapter 7
provides a detailed account of sediment remediation
projects to date, including an estimate of volumes
remediated or capped and the remaining volumes of
contaminated sediments in specific Areas of Concern in
the basin. Chapter 8 presents a synopsis of the Long Range
Transport Workshop held in September 2003 in Ann
Arbor, Michigan.