Contact: Mike Donahue E-mail: mdonahue@glc.org Phone: 734-665-9135 Fax: 734-665-4370

For immediate release July 26, 2001

Ann Arbor, Mich. - Aquatic nuisance species (ANS) prevention and control efforts have taken a major step forward, thanks to a landmark agreement recently signed by the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence governors and premiers. The Great Lakes Action Plan (with Addendum) is the culmination of a major, 18-month initiative that yielded a shared vision and common set of principles, goals and strategies to which all eight governors and both premiers have committed. Plan development was coordinated by the Great Lakes Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species, with support from the Great Lakes Commission staff.

It's the first time that the region's leadership has formally embraced a single set of principles to guide their individual and collective efforts. The Action Plan signatories acknowledge their responsibility to act "promptly and decisively" to achieve three goals: preventing unauthorized introductions; limiting the spread of established nuisance species; and minimizing the impacts of those already present.

The Action Plan presents 10 principles to be used as guidance in achieving these goals. Among others, they call for regional and global approaches to prevention and control; a primary emphasis on prevention of new introductions; interjurisdictional cooperation; comprehensive multi-disciplinary research; and a coordinated and responsive management structure. Augmenting the Action Plan is an Addendum adopted by the Great Lakes Panel which presents several dozen specific objectives and strategic actions designed to realize the Action Plan goals. Categories include management programs; research and monitoring; and information, education and collaboration.

The Action Plan, according to Michigan Governor John Engler, is an important step in developing a unified, regional approach to one of the leading environmental issues of our time. "Aquatic nuisance species pose a double threat," he notes. "They harm both our ecosystem and our water-based economy. The Great Lakes Action Plan affirms my commitment, and that of my fellow governors and premiers, to work together to address this problem." Commission Chair Nathaniel E. Robinson adds: "The governors and premiers recognize that regional problems demand regional solutions, and we applaud their initiative in signing this landmark agreement."

The Action Plan promotes a unified and aggressive regional agenda that will showcase and advance ongoing efforts to develop and implement comprehensive state and provincial management plans, which are the primary mechanisms for ANS prevention control efforts in the Great Lakes St. Lawrence region at this time. As a non-binding "good-faith" agreement, the Action Plan does not amend or replace existing laws, agreements and policies, but builds upon them to maximize effectiveness. (Note: Two jurisdictions, Wisconsin and Québec, have received new leadership since their respective governor/premier signed the Action Plan; efforts are underway to obtain the new leaders' signatures.)

"The Action Plan and Addendum is a call for action by the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence community," according to Ron Martin, Chair of the Great Lakes Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species. He adds, "I will make implementation of the Action Plan a priority, and I urge the rest of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence community to join me in this effort." The Great Lakes Panel membership, with broad-based governmental, private sector and citizen/user group representation, will coordinate implementation and monitor progress in achieving Action Plan goals.

Scientists have documented the introduction of over 160 non-native aquatic nuisance species into the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence system over the last 150 years. The problem has accelerated in recent decades; almost one-third of such species have been introduced since the late 1950's, coinciding with the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway system and attendant problems of ANS introduction via ballast water of commercial vessels. U.S. federal legislation first adopted in 1990 (Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act) established a comprehensive national program and also authorized the Great Lakes Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species. The Panel, with Great Lakes Commission support, has developed a model comprehensive state management plan, model state legislation, a regional Information/Education Strategy (PDF), and a Ballast Water Policy Statement (PDF), among other products. The Action Plan, whose development was supported with U.S. EPA funds, is among the Panel's most recent initiatives.

The Great Lakes Commission, chaired by Nathaniel E. Robinson (Wisconsin), is a nonpartisan, binational compact agency created by state and U.S. federal law and dedicated to promoting a strong economy, healthy environment and high quality of life for the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region and its residents. The Commission consists of state legislators, agency officials and governors’ appointees from its eight member states. Associate membership for Ontario and Québec was established through the signing of a "Declaration of Partnership." The Commission maintains a formal Observer program involving U.S. and Canadian federal agencies, tribal authorities, binational agencies and other regional interests. The Commission offices are located in Ann Arbor, Michigan.