U.S. Areas of Concern Program Annual Meeting: Achieving Restoration Targets and Sustaining Stewardship

June 28-29, 2007
Hilton Garden Inn
Cleveland, Ohio

Overview
The conference convened participants from the 30 U.S. Great Lakes Areas of Concern to review recent developments affecting the AOC program; assess the status of the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration’s AOC recommendations; identify opportunities to expedite progress on key AOC tasks; improve linkages among the AOCs, Lakewide Management Plans and other programs; and consider actions that will strengthen the regional U.S. AOC program.

Agenda Highlights
The conference featured more than 40 presentations on activities underway in the U.S. Great Lakes Areas of Concern. The following are the major topics that were addressed at the conference:

• Current status and future direction for the U.S. AOC program
• Great Lakes Legacy Act and contaminated sediment cleanups in the AOCs
• Progress in establishing restoration targets and delisting the AOCs
• Fish and wildlife restoration efforts in the AOCs
• Fundraising and capacity building for local RAP groups
• Public involvement, communications and advocacy

Sponsors
The conference was sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Great Lakes National Program Office; the Great Lakes Commission; the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency; Ohio Department of Natural Resources; and the Cuyahoga River Remedial Action Plan.

Contacts
For more information, contact Matt Doss, Great Lakes Commission, 734-971-9135, mdoss@glc.org.