Resolution: Endorsement of the Report on Decision Support for Water Resources Management
Adopted on April 17, 2003

Whereas, under Article I of the Great Lakes Basin Compact, the Great Lakes Commission is responsible for advancing the informed use, development and conservation of Great Lakes basin and St. Lawrence River water resources; and

Whereas, the Great Lakes Commission and its partners have pursued, with the support of the Great Lakes Protection Fund and in consultation with the Charter Annex Working Group and the Council of Great Lakes Governors, an assessment of the status of data and information on water resources, water use and related ecological impacts that can be used in developing a Water Resources Management Decision Support System (WRMDSS); and

Whereas, the Great Lakes Commission has released a report documenting the results of this effort, including an evaluation of applicable data sets, a characterization of the hydrologic system, an assessment of ecological impacts and the identification of models, literature and research with application to a WRMDSS; and

Whereas, this report provides a series of findings and recommendations to help ensure that regional water resources management, planning and decisionmaking are conducted on a scientifically sound basis; and

Whereas, the Great Lakes Commission and its project partners recognize that their work under the WRMDSS project continues to inform the Annex implementation process and is an essential first step toward the development of a Water Resources Management Decision Support System.

Therefore, be it resolved, that the Great Lakes Commission endorses the WRMDSS report and recognizes the need to implement its findings and recommendations in a timely manner; and

Be it finally resolved, that the Great Lakes Commission, in the interest of applying report outcomes, offers to work with the Annex Working Group to prioritize report recommendations and develop an implementation plan that will lead to the eventual development and adoption of a WRMDSS.

Unanimously adopted by the Great Lakes Commission at its 2003 Semiannual Meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana, April 17, 2003.