STATE OF THE  GREAT LAKES 2005
The Great Lakes Indicator
Summary Sheet series includes:

HUMAN HEALTH
   • Can We Drink the Water?
   • Can We Eat the Fish?
   • Can We Swim at the Beach?
   • Are We Making Progress to
     Improve Air Quality?

ECOLOGICAL HEALTH
   • Top Predator Fish
   • Amphibians
   • Birds
   • Forests
   • Non-native Aquatic Species
   • Coastal Wetlands
   • The Food Web
   • Alvars and Cobble Beaches

GREAT LAKES AND RIVERS
   • Lake Superior
   • Lake Michigan
   • Lake Huron
   • St. Clair-Detroit River
     Ecosystem
   • Lake Erie
   • Lake Ontario
   • St. Lawrence River
Canadians, Americans, Tribes and First Nations share a priceless
resource: the Great Lakes basin ecosystem, linked downstream with the
historic St. Lawrence River. Spanning two provinces and eight states, the
Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region is an important part of our physical
and cultural heritage. We depend on our Great Lakes for drinking water,
recreation, transportation, power and economic opportunities. Yet, the
demands of a large population in this region have taken their toll over
time, and the impacts of industrialization, climate change, invasive
species and toxic contaminants,  among other pressures, are evident in
the environment. Although human activities have degraded many parts
of the Great Lakes ecosystem, we are taking steps to repair the damage
we have inflicted.

The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, signed in 1972, commits
Canada and the United States to restore and maintain the chemical,
physical and biological integrity of the Great Lakes ecosystem.
Environment Canada, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and
their many Great Lakes partners work together to evaluate the current
condition of the lakes and the progress towards the goals established
under the Agreement. This process involves the development and
assessment of key indicators for issues such as invasive species, human
health, contamination and degradation and loss of aquatic and
terrestrial habitats.

The indicators are discussed at the biennial State of the Great Lakes
Ecosystem Conference (SOLEC), and are evaluated in the State of the
Great Lakes reports. A selection of indicators representing human and
ecological health-related issues is presented in this Great Lakes Indicator
Summary Sheet series. In addition, information on the current, most
pressing issues facing the lakes and rivers of the Great Lakes basin is
included in this series. This information will help you to better
understand our region's most precious resources.

For further information about SOLEC and for other Great Lakes
references, including the State of the Great Lakes 2005 report, visit
www.epa.gov/glnpo/solec. For more information on the St. Lawrence
River, visit www.slv2000.qc.ca.
Canada1
   SERA
         02/06
EPA 905-F-05-001
IISG-05-07

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