Resolution: Homeland Security and the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River System
Adopted on April 17, 2003

Whereas, the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River system is an irreplaceable, world class natural resource; and

Whereas, this system serves as a source of drinking water to millions of residents; and

Whereas, the U.S.-Canada boundary runs through much of this resource, and Ontario and Québec have 88 border crossings with the U.S. and, of this number, the Great Lakes states have 27 highway crossings, 11 rail crossings and six ferry crossings; and

Whereas, the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River system supports some 1.5 million recreational boats, a number of which regularly cross the international border; and

Whereas, since the U.S. terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the U.S. and Canadian governments have installed new border crossing procedures for both customs and immigration; and

Whereas, the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. and Canadian Seaway organizations have implemented new cargo and passenger vessel passage procedures including enhanced reporting requirements and inspections; and

Whereas, new procedures also relate to recreational and commercial small craft operations within the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway, such as maintaining security zones at selected power plants, municipal water intakes and filtration plants, and sensitive infrastructure; and

Whereas, boaters in the U.S. and Canada have been advised to be alert to boating activities considered suspicious and to report any such activities to the proper authorities.

Therefore, be it resolved, that the Great Lakes states should continue, in consultation with Ontario, Québec and the two federal governments, cooperative planning regarding maritime and related homeland security issues pertaining to the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River system; and

Be it finally resolved, that the Great Lakes Commission calls upon the U.S. government to provide enhanced funding assistance to the Great Lakes states to implement relevant maritime and related homeland security plans and programs.

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