Ecosystem Charter for the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Basin
Series of Principles

• Rights and Responsibilities;
• Ecological Integrity and Diversity;
• Sustainable Communities;
• Institutional Relations; and
• Public Information, Education and Participation
.

Principle I
People in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Basin have a right to live in an ecosystem that supports their health and well-being as well as that of diverse communities of beneficial organisms.

Findings:
The natural world has intrinsic value; it is the basis for life on earth and is essential to human well-being. Activities that degrade its water, air and land resources threaten the health of the Ecosystem and, hence, its ability to support the health and well-being of those dependent upon it. The fundamental right of all people to a healthy environment is a basis for sustainable development and environmental protection.

This principle shall be addressed by:

• Recognizing that the Ecosystem is comprised of both human and non-human elements, and that the latter have an intrinsic value apart from any value humans may receive from them.
• Accepting responsibility to conduct themselves, individually and collectively, in ways that support a healthy ecosystem consistent with the principles set forth in this Charter.

Principle II
People have the right to use natural resources and ecological processes for economic purpose and enjoyment, commensurate with the responsibility to rehabilitate and maintain the integrity of the Great Lakes -St. Lawrence Basin Ecosystem.

Findings:
People and their governments in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Basin are stewards of the Ecosystem; this entails a responsibility to enhance and maintain the health of the Ecosystem for the use, benefit and enjoyment of the current and future generations.

This principle shall be addressed by:

• Adopting, pursuing and promoting principles and practices of sustainable use of Ecosystem resources by businesses, agencies, organizations and individuals.
• Accepting the responsibility to minimize or prevent activities that cause environmental harm to other jurisdictions or individuals.
• Recognizing the role of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Basin Ecosystem in the larger global environment and taking actions, where possible, that can alleviate adverse impacts on that environment.
• Cooperating with all people in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Basin Ecosystem and in other biogeographical regions to achieve mutual objectives consistent with this Charter.

Principle III
The environmental and human health risks related to activities and resource uses shall be assessed and characterized, where possible, by those who propose them in the interest of demonstrating that such activities will not cause undue harm to the Ecosystem.

Findings:
Human activities in the Basin historically have been regulated in response to demonstrable proof that those activities cause injury or harm to human health or the environment. However, achieving Ecosystem integrity is difficult if it is the sole responsibility of governments to prove that a certain activity causes harm or injury. Ecosystem protection can be enhanced by placing additional responsibility on those who are proposing such activities so that risk assessment is undertaken.

• Agreeing to examine new or proposed activities in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Basin to identify prospective adverse impacts and means to reduce, mitigate or eliminate them.
• Undertaking risk assessment processes that incorporate risk management strategies and effective risk communication to facilitate Ecosystem policy development and implementation.
• Maintaining or encouraging maintenance of monitoring programs to provide baseline information on the environmental impacts of resource uses.

Principle IV
The chemical, physical and biological integrity of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Basin Ecosystem shall be achieved by understanding, respecting, rehabilitating and protecting ecological processes and natural resources and by identifying and maintaining genetically diverse plant and animal communities within the Ecosystem.

Findings:
Binational and national commitments have been made to restore and maintain the chemical, physical and biological integrity of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Basin Ecosystem. Despite some successes, the goal of Ecosystem integrity has yet to be achieved. Until that time, the health and well-being of the Ecosystem inhabitants will be compromised.

• Improving implementation of existing programs and, where appropriate, developing new ones to rehabilitate, protect and manage ecological resources and diversity within the Ecosystem.
• Providing strong citizen, government and industry support for timely and effective adoption and implementation of Lakewide Management Plans (LaMPs); timely and effective implementation of Remedial Action Plans (RAPs) for the Basin's Areas of Concern (AOCs); and designation of additional Biosphere Reserve sites within the Basin.
• Increasing the binational effort to monitor aquatic species and wildlife communities in the Basin, both to sustain and rehabilitate these communities and to better understand environmental threats to human health.
• Developing, adopting and promoting strategies to integrate and expand efforts to rehabilitate and protect areas of natural beauty and ecological significance such as wetlands and dunes.

Principle V
An ecosystem approach to management that involves rehabilitating and protecting ecological processes and resources of the Basin Ecosystem shall be fully and widely adopted, based on the understanding that human activities, natural resources and ecological processes are interdependent and parts of a unified whole.

Findings:
An ecosystem approach entails an integrated, multi-resource emphasis and broad, precautionary strategies that anticipate and prevent environmental harm. This approach respects and affirms the interconnectedness of ecological processes and requires humankind to understand and conduct itself as an integrated part of the Ecosystem rather than as an entity separate from it.

• Ensuring that ecological protection and rehabilitation efforts are based on an integrated, multi-resource approach.
• Emphasizing precautionary measures that anticipate and prevent harm to human health and the environment.
• Collaborating on and coordinating environmental quality, natural resource and economic development programs to ensure that pollution control and prevention, habitat restoration and protection, forestry management, fisheries management and other actions are consistent with ecosystem-based management.
• Adopting and applying principles of an ecosystem approach to individual agency, organization and business settings.

Principle VI
A coordinated, multi-disciplinary research agenda is necessary to improve understanding of the scientific, social and economic dimensions of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Basin Ecosystem.

Findings:
Scientific, social and economic data and information form the basis for public policies, agreements and programs in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Basin Ecosystem. Yet many aspects of the Ecosystem and its dynamics are not well-understood. An enhanced, aggressive and innovative program of basic and applied research is necessary to improve understanding of the Ecosystem.

• Forming partnerships among public agencies, academic institutions, businesses and citizen organizations to conduct and coordinate basic and applied research on the Basin Ecosystem.
• Advancing pollution prevention efforts and supporting sustainable development in the Basin Ecosystem by conducting applied research on consumption attributes and production methods.
• Undertaking research initiatives, such as toxicological and epidemiological studies, that explore human health impacts ofactivities in the Basin Ecosystem.
• Making research results understandable to the public and useful to decisionmakers.
• Establishing new and strengthening existing capabilities and networks for the exchange of data, research results and other information relevant to the Basin Ecosystem.

Principle VII
The environmental quality of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Basin Ecosystem shall be improved by virtually eliminating the discharge or release of persistent bioaccumulative toxic substances into the Basin Ecosystem.

Findings:
Numerous pollution control and prevention programs and measures have been implemented, and significant reductions in particular toxics and other pollutants have occurred. However, the complexity and pervasive nature of toxic contamination calls for continued vigorous action and innovative solutions. Thus, a broad-based commitment to the above principle is needed, consistent with the objectives of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.

• Implementing pollution prevention practices to eliminate and/or reduce waste generation through changes in production processes, products and packaging and through resource reuse and recycling.
• Implementing policies, programs and practices to virtually eliminate the discharge or release of persistent bioaccumulative toxic substances and to prohibit the discharge in toxic amounts of toxic substances that are not for the purpose of achieving Ecosystem integrity (e.g., lamprey control).
• Actively seeking cost-effective, benign alternatives to toxic substances and substituting them, where possible, to reduce reliance on toxic substances that threaten Ecosystem integrity.
• Supporting the development of binational objectives and measures to address air quality issues, including acid deposition, smog and airborne toxic contaminants as well as global atmospheric problems that affect the Basin, such as global warming.

Principle VIII
The natural fluctuations of the levels and flows within the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River System shall be accommodated to the extent possible, while maintaining appropriate water use and related coastal activities.

Findings:
The freshwater resources of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River are interconnected and form a single hydrologic system that geographically defines the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Basin Ecosystem. This dynamic system, which supports a variety of organisms and human activities, is naturally subject to varying levels and flows. Many ecological resources rely upon and benefit from this variance. Resource uses and economic activity in coastal and near-shore areas are highly sensitive to fluctuating levels and flows; the magnitude and direction of the fluctuation impacts different uses in different ways. Existing structures and practices that protect appropriate use and related coastal activities should be maintained, with future policy also considering adaptation to fluctuations.

• Supporting a binational process that allows all stakeholders to participate in decision-making and planning related to levels and flows and land use policies for coastal areas.
• Supporting continued improvement in the collection and maintenance of data regarding levels and flows, major uses and diversions of Basin water resources as well as associated analysis, dissemination and public policy applications.
• Developing an effective process for state/provincial and public review and consideration of diversion and consumptive use proposals, and a Basin water resources management program to ensure that relevant data and information on proposed impacts are available.

Principle IX
Societal needs for a healthy Ecosystem and economy shall be addressed by promoting the sustainable use of renewable natural resources.

Findings:
Renewable resources such as forests, wildlife and fisheries, have been threatened by poor land use practices, overharvesting, habitat degradation and the introduction of harmful non-native species, among others. Numerous measures have been taken to check, reverse or compensate for this damage, but the availability and quality of renewable resources remain threatened. A binational commitment to the management of such resources must recognize the need for remedial actions as well as long-term planning and management on a comprehensive Basinwide basis.

• Consulting and coordinating with affected jurisdictions when renewable resource management decisions will significantly affect their interests.
• Incorporating renewable resource needs and management objectives into broader environmental quality policies and programs.
• Developing measures to predict and assess the effects of renewable resource management practices on environmental protection efforts and economic activity.

Principle X
Biological diversity is an essential element of Ecosystem integrity, and shall be supported so that plant and animal populations may flourish in natural communities and habitats as well as in specially protected and rehabilitated sites.

Findings:
The Basin Ecosystem supports an abundance of plant and animal species including naturalized non-native species. However, the natural biological diversity once found in the Ecosystem has been substantially altered, both by intentional and unintentional introductions and other cultural factors, some beneficial and some harmful. Efforts to rehabilitate habitat and preserve species variety, particularly that of native species, are an important part of efforts to achieve Ecosystem integrity.

• Developing strategies for the conservation of biological diversity, particularly for native species, and integrating those strategies into plans and practices concerning economic activities, environmental protection and resource management.
• Nurturing biological diversity and reducing habitat fragmentation by encouraging the establishment of publicly owned protected areas, networks of protected areas and stewardship by private landowners.
• Modifying land use practices and other human activities to prevent the loss of biodiversity and habitat.
• Preventing new introductions of nonindigenous nuisance species and controlling existing ones.

Principle XI
Ecosystem integrity and the economic well-being of human communities are interdependent; achieving and protecting ecosystem integrity is, therefore, an essential part of economic activity within the Basin.

Findings:
Natural resources within the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Basin Ecosystem supply tens of millions of people with drinking water; support a multi-billion dollar recreation/tourism industry; provide habitat for thousands of plant and animal species; offer transportation and manufacturing opportunities; and support an extensive agricultural industry. To ensure that natural resources in the Basin Ecosystem continue to provide such benefits, economic strategies and activities must ensure that essential ecological processes are maintained, natural resources are used sustainably, biological diversity is conserved and infrastructure investment is appropriately pursued.

• Incorporating principles of sustainability in relevant public and private sector plans and programs that reflect an appropriate balance between ecosystem protection and economic development.
• Supporting and pursuing policies and programs that provide for the efficient and sustainable use of natural resources, and working to revise or eliminate those that do not.
• Identifying energy efficiency and conservation as a public and private sector priority and supporting the use of renewable energy sources.
• Supporting adequate and prudent infrastructure investment, particularly for water treatment and distribution systems, consistent with the goal of sustainable human communities.
• Supporting and pursuing policies and programs that encourage the development of industries providing pollution control and mitigation products and services.
• Developing common data collection measures and indicators to integrate and/or supplement traditional, independent measures of environmental, social and economic health and well-being to gauge progress in achieving a sustainable society.

Principle XII
Industry in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Basin is a key partner in achieving and protecting Ecosystem integrity; industry support for and implementation of environmental, conservation and safety standards and practices is necessary.

Findings:
The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Basin is one of the most industrialized areas of the world. Economic development has created a high standard of living and quality of life for residents. As members of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence community, industry (including the manufacturing, transportation and agricultural sectors) recognizes that its performance and contribution to the economy depends on a healthy Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Basin Ecosystem. Accordingly, through supporting and maintaining environmental, conservation and safety standards and practices, industry can help improve its workforce, the communities where facilities exist and workers live, and its long-term profitability.

• Supporting an active role for business and industry in environmental policymaking.
• Encouraging the development of information programs to demonstrate that environmental management is good for business and can improve profitability.
• Encouraging the development of cost accounting and pricing mechanisms that determine the real cost of goods and services based on production and marketing costs, as well as costs of environmental management associated with their production, use and disposal.
• Encouraging the development and use of innovative conservation, environmental protection and related pollution prevention mechanisms by business and industry, including the incorporation of economically and environmentally sustainable practices in management and operations.
• Ensuring effective communication between industrial facilities and local communities to provide information on local impacts and environmental management practices.

Principle XV
Timely, accurate and accessible information shall be provided to the public regarding all planned activities that may significantly affect the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Basin Ecosystem.

Findings:
Timely information enables the public to respond to current issues and opportunities in an appropriate time frame; accurate information enables the people to make informed decisions about their interests and concerns; and accessible information allows for all interested persons to obtain the desired information with relative ease. Programs that reflect these qualities help promote informed public policy, efficient and effective implementation and strong partnerships among Basin interests.

• Gathering timely, accurate and meaningful information about the state of the Basin Ecosystem and monitoring and reporting on progress in implementing programs consistent with the principles of the Charter and other relevant laws and agreements.
• Supporting full and equal access to public data, policies and related information concerning current and prospective conditions of the Basin Ecosystem and the associated impact of proposed actions.
• Creating and supporting formal information links to ensure ongoing and substantive dialogue on and dissemination of data and information relating to the Basin Ecosystem.

Principle XVI
Stewardship of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Basin Ecosystem shall be fostered through educational efforts that promote greater understanding of the Ecosystem, the problems and opportunities facing it and policies and programs designed to improve, protect and manage it.

Findings:
Education in ecological, economic, social and political matters relating to the Basin Ecosystem broadens the basis for enlightened public opinion and responsible conduct by all who make, implement or otherwise affect public policy. Education on such matters is a life-long process; it must be pursued by children and adults alike, and in both classroom and non-formal settings. Further, it must be multi-disciplinary and integrative, allowing all interested individuals to understand the basic elements and processes of the Basin Ecosystem; how various actions affect them; how the public policymaking process functions; and how the individual can make a difference.

• Establishing and enhancing Great Lakes-St. Lawrence education programs and curricula in both classrooms and non-traditional settings, with a special focus on at-risk groups.
• Encouraging coordination of and partnerships among educators in the Basin to ensure that educational efforts are consistent, comprehensive and accessible.
• Establishing and/or maintaining permanent systems to disseminate and promote the use of education materials.
• Improving stewardship of the Basin Ecosystem by educating themselves and others about the needs of a healthy Ecosystem, and opportunities to address these needs through individual and collective action.

Principle XVII
Meaningful public participation in decision-making processes regarding the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Basin Ecosystem shall be encouraged by providing enhanced opportunities for public involvement and empowerment.

Findings:
All people should have the opportunity for informed participation in the development, implementation and evaluation of public policies that affect the Basin Ecosystem. Meaningful public participation requires the public to be an active partner in the decision-making process, including the identification and assessment of issues.

• Developing and maintaining decision-making processes that promote and encourage active and informed public participation.
• Identifying and using resources, such as information networks and other communication technology, through which public participation can be enhanced.
• Planning and engaging in outreach efforts to increase public access to and use of those resources.
• Taking advantage of current and prospective means to further people's knowledge of the Basin Ecosystem and opportunities to enhance environmental health, economic well-being and quality of life.