STATE
      OF THE

GREAT LAKES
       1995
   Report Highlights
    STATE OF THE GREAT LAKES 1995

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                           REPORT HIGHLIGHTS
The 1995 State of The Great Lakes Report
                           The State of the Great Lakes Report summarizes information presented at
                           the October, 1994 State of the Lakes Ecosystem Conference, held in
                           Dearborn, Michigan. The Report examines the state of the health of the
                           Great Lakes in two ways:

                           >•    By examining the basin-wide state of health of the ecosystem; and

                           >•    On a lake by lake basis.


What was SOLEC D94?	
                           >•    The State of the Lakes Ecosystem Conference (SOLEC), was a
                                binational meeting to review and  assess  the  state  of the Great
                                Lakes from an environmental perspective, including human health.

                           >•    Participants reviewed progress to date on cleanup and restoration.

                           >•    Led by the federal governments of Canada and the  United States,
                                SOLEC was  the first  scientific  meeting  of its  kind.   The
                                information in the Report is assisting  the governments  to fulfil
                                their responsibilities  under the 1987 Great Lakes Water Quality
                                Agreement.
SOLEC '94 Participants
                           Over 500 participants attended SOLEC '94 representing:

                                Federal Governments
                                State/Provincial/Tribal Governments
                                Conservation/Environmental/Remedial Action Plans
                                Local Governments
                                Health Groups
                                Agriculture/Labour/Industry
                                Academia/Research
                                Foundations
                                Citizens

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SOLEC '94 Guiding Questions
                           Organizers  identified some basic, frequently-asked questions to guide
                           decision-makers and just plain folks in assessing the state of the Lakes.

                           >•     Can we swim in the Lakes, eat the fish that we catch, and drink the
                                 water?

                           >•     Are the Lakes affecting human health?

                           >•     Are the Lakes getting better?

                           >•     Are the fish and birds healthy?

                           >•     How are endangered species doing?

                           >•     What are we doing about exotic (non-native) species?
STRESS INDICATORS	
                           Some preliminary indicators to measure both the state of health of the
                           ecosystem and the stressors that influence that health, were developed
                           and assessed. These will be refined overtime:

                           Ecosystem Health Indicators:

                           >•    the state of aquatic communities

                           >•    human health and health risks

                           >•    aquatic habitat


                           Categories of stresses:

                           >•    nutrients

                           >•    persistent toxic contaminants

                           >•    economic activity


                           Each indicator was assessed in four broad categories:
                           poor (P), mixed/deteriorating (M/D), mixed/improving (M/I), and
                           good/restored  (G).

Aquatic Community Health          (P=poor,               M/D=mixed/deteriorating,
M/l=mixed/improving, G=good)	

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                            1.  Native species loss
                  Lake Superior
         Lakes Huron, Michigan, Erie and Ontario
       M/D    M/l
    Lake Superior
Ontario
Human Health
                           2. Ecosystem Imbalance
                                                                       M/D    M/l
Lake Huron
Lakes  Michigan,  Erie  and
                           3. Reproductive Impairment for all Great Lakes
                            1. Overall state of the Great Lakes basin
                                      M/D    M/l
Habitat and Wetlands
                            1.  Habitat Loss (quality and quantity)
                     Overall
           Upper Lakes brook trout stream habitat

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Habitat and Wetlands (conDd)
                           2. Encroachment/development (overall)
                                     M/D    M/l
                           3. Habitat gains (quality and quantity)
                    Overall
Protected areas under NA WMP
Nutrients
                           1. Phosphorus targets for all Great Lakes
                           2. Oxygen in bottom waters of Lake ErieDs central basin
Contaminants
                           1. All indicators for Great Lakes
                                     M/D    M/l

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Economy
G=good)
(P=poor, M/D=mixed/deteriorating, M/l=mixed/improving,
                           1.  Infrastructure investment, land use of the Great Lakes basin
                           2.  Employment, research and development, population growth, personal
                           income of the Great Lakes basin
                                      M/D    M/l
                           3.  Pollution prevention, stewardship, conservation, energy use of the
                           Great Lakes basin
                                      M/D    M/l

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LAKE BY LAKE ANALYSIS
1.  Lake Superior	
                            SOLEC Findings for Lake Superior:

                            >•     Good environmental quality compared to the other Lakes because
                                  of small populations and limited industry.

                            >•     The most severe and permanent loss in the aquatic community has
                                  been to the lake trout population.

                            >•     Many  species of fish  and some  distinct groups  within species
                                  (races)  have  been  lost to  the  Lake.   Despite  these  losses,
                                  biodiversity (the variety of plant and animal life on Earth) within
                                  Lake Superior remains quite high compared to the other  Lakes.
                                  Stream habitat is degraded in many areas, but there are also large
                                  tracts of very high quality habitat.

                            >•     The greatest threats to  the aquatic community are the river ruffe
                                  and sea lamprey (exotic or non-native species).

                            >•     Chemical stressors of concern  in Lake Superior are toxic.  They
                                  concentrate in animal tissues, and persist in the  environment for a
                                  long time.  These substances include mercury,  DDT, PCBs and
                                  toxaphene-like substances (a family of pesticides).

                            >•     Fish consumption advisories are in effect for many Lake Superior
                                  fish because  of the contaminants they contain.  For example, the
                                  public has been advised not to eat the siscowet form of lake trout at
                                  any time and to limit consumption of other species.

                            >•     Deposits from the  atmosphere account for approximately 90%  of
                                  toxic contaminants entering Lake Superior. An estimated 58%  of
                                  the total nitrogen load to the Lake comes from precipitation.

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SOLEC Challenges for Lake Superior:

>•    WeDve made progress.  One of the challenges in Lake Superior is
     to preserve the relatively high quality areas that exist throughout
     the lake, including near shore lake habitats and river habitats.

>•    The Lake Superior Binational Program must continue to deliver its
     action plan and move towards zero  discharge of persistent toxic
     substances. We must also deal with airborne pollution, since such
     a large portion of the contamination comes from the atmosphere.

>•    Maintain sea lamprey  control  to  ensure  continuation  of self-
     sustaining lake trout populations.
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2.  Lake Michigan
                             SOLEC Findings for Lake Michigan:

                             >•    Environmental quality in the basin generally is best in the north,
                                  and deteriorates as we move south.

                             >•    Of the ten Areas of Concern (AOCs - the most degraded areas)
                                  Indiana Harbor, Milwaukee and Green Bay AOCs are the largest
                                  and most degraded, although the Kalamazoo River contains very
                                  large quantities of PCBs.

                             >•    The  sea lamprey has  eliminated  all  stocks  of lake trout,  and
                                  severely depressed whitefish and other aquatic populations.  We
                                  donDt know what the future holds for the aquatic community.

                             >•    The  sport fishery  remains  productive, although  based upon
                                  hatchery-reared salmon and lake trout.  The goal of self-sustaining
                                  lake trout populations  through  natural  reproduction  remains
                                  elusive.  Whitefish populations, on the other hand, are increasing
                                  and support a valuable commercial fishery.

                             >•    Habitat loss (especially wetlands) is widespread in Lake Michigan,
                                  particularly in the southern portion of the Lake. Urban sprawl and
                                  recreational  development continue  to  destroy  habitat  and
                                  biodiversity.

                             >•    Bioaccumulative, persistent toxic  substance  levels  in  fish are
                                  similar to levels in Lake Ontario, and are among the highest in the
                                  Great Lakes basin.

                             >•    A Mass Balance  Study is currently underway to  determine how
                                  toxic  contaminants  move into and  travel  through the Lake
                                  ecosystem.
                             SOLEC Challenges for Lake Michigan:

                             >•    Make use of information  from the  Mass Balance Study to gain
                                  better control/remediation of contaminants.

                             >•    Maintain existing high quality areas of habitat.

                             >•    Restore some degree of ecosystem balance to the LakeDs aquatic
                                  communities.
3.  Lake Huron

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SOLEC Findings for Lake Huron:

>•    Lake Huron is considered to be  the  lake  in the middle, both
     geographically and in environmental quality.  It has relatively good
     water quality and wetlands, except in four Areas of Concern.

>•    Because of the  large amounts of industry and intensive agriculture
     in the  Saginaw Bay watershed, the Lake  has  received  heavy
     loadings of nutrients and toxic  contaminants.  The most  recent
     problem,  zebra mussels, may  significantly damage biological
     communities and affect contaminant cycling in Saginaw Bay.

>•    Aquatic  community  health   and  biodiversity  are   considered
     relatively good  in comparison to the other Lakes.

>•    Lake Huron is  the  most important Lake in  terms  of having the
     highest number offish-eating birds that breed along the shorelines.
      Most populations of these birds are increasing.

>•    Loss of shoreline  marshes and wetlands  has  been moderate
     compared to the other Lakes, except in Saginaw Bay.

>•    Exotic (foreign or non-native)  species such as sea lamprey, zebra
     mussels, and purple loosestrife pose  major threats  to aquatic
     communities.

>•    Shoreline  development is a growing stress on habitat and aquatic
     communities.   An   emerging issue is how public  and private
     natural resource lands within Lake Huron are being managed.
SOLEC Challenges for Lake Huron:

>•    A Lakewide  Management Plan that includes both environmental
     quality and fisheries management is needed for Lake Huron.

>•    Control of sea lamprey from the St. Marys River is critical to the
     survival offish populations in the Lake.

>•    Control of other exotic species, such  as purple loosestrife,  is
     essential.

>•    We must conserve high quality areas of habitat.
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4.  Lake Erie
                             SOLEC Findings for Lake Erie:

                             >•     Of all the Great Lakes, Lake Erie is exposed to the greatest stress
                                   from urbanization and agriculture.

                             >•     In terms of environmental quality, Lake Erie is severely degraded
                                   with  respect to habitat.   Massive investment in municipal and
                                   industrial waste treatment,  and  voluntary programs to  control
                                   agricultural land  runoff have   produced excellent results  in
                                   improving the water quality.

                             >•     The  original aquatic  community  of the Lake has been devastated;
                                   recovery  is underway but the long-term  future  of the resulting
                                   community is unknown.  Species having particularly heavy impact
                                   include zebra mussels and carp.   Although not yet established in
                                   Lake Erie, another non-native species to be concerned about is the
                                   ruffe.

                             *•     High levels of mercury  in the  1970's led to the closure of the
                                   commercial walleye  fishery.  This action and the quotas imposed
                                   after reopening the Canadian fishery, led to a spectacular recovery
                                   of the walleye fishery.
                             SOLEC Challenges for Lake Erie:

                             >•     More research is needed to understand better the effects of exotic
                                   species on the Lake Erie ecosystem, including the effects of these
                                   species on the movement of contaminants through the Lake.

                             >•     Four critical pollutants have been identified for immediate action:
                                   PCBs, DDT and related compounds, chlordane and dieldrin.

                             >•     Begin  implementing an ecosystem-based Lakewide Management
                                   Plan.
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5.  Lake Ontario
                             SOLEC Findings for Lake Ontario:

                             >•    The  aquatic  community of  Lake  Ontario  has been  severely
                                  damaged as a result of urbanization and agriculture, with large
                                  losses of habitat and biodiversity.

                             >•    Contaminant levels in fish are high and similar to those of Lake
                                  Michigan.

                             >•    Persistent toxic  contaminants in Lake  Ontario remain  a big
                                  problem  and  have led to the development of the Lake Ontario
                                  Toxics  Management  Plan.   The most significant source of
                                  contaminants to the Lake is from the Niagara River.

                             >•    Contaminant  concentrations  in  fish were  declining  but have
                                  levelled off in recent years, possibly as a result of changes in the
                                  food chain.
                             SOLEC Challenges for Lake Ontario:

                             >•    Stop further habitat loss.

                             >•    Rehabilitate near shore and river habitat wherever feasible.

                             >•    Restore some ecosystem  balance in the Lake Ontario aquatic
                                  community.

                             *•    Begin  work on understanding  hormone  mimicry (the effects of
                                  chemicals in the environment acting as hormones on fish, wildlife
                                  and humans).

                             >•    Move toward a sustainable fishery.
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OVERALL MANAGEMENT CHALLENGES
                            The  SOLEC Report identifies several management challenges for the
                            future of organizations, primarily the governments of Canada and the
                            United States.  These are challenges that must be met in order to move
                            ahead in cleaning up the Great Lakes.

                            Research: Research should be prioritized in order to fill the many gaps
                            that  exist, such as: the global nature of contamination; the effects of
                            changes in the food chain on contaminant movement within the Lakes;
                            and  the  implications on  the  fishery  of changing the  amount  of
                            phosphorus entering the lakes.

                            Information   Management:   Data  possessed  by  hundreds   of
                            organizations must be consolidated, standardized and made accessible.

                            Decision-Making:  The ecosystem  approach  aims to have  everyone
                            working together to clean up the Great Lakes.

                            Partnerships:  Organizations must remain flexible in achieving  their
                            individual mandates and must work closely with other interested parties.

                            Biodiversity:  Effective strategies to protect  biodiversity need to  be
                            developed.

                            Measurable Conditions:  Benchmarks  for cleanup, restoration,  and
                            human health need to be fully developed.

                            The  "Individual" Approach: Local systems vary from place to place -
                            this must be taken into consideration during cleanup; avoid a blanket
                            approach.

                            Effects of Toxic Substances: The subtle effects of long-term exposure
                            to toxic substances is a threat to people and wildlife - prevention is key.

                            Sustainability:   Sustaining  the  economy  while  preserving   the
                            environment is crucial to competitiveness in industry and growth in the
                            economy; the Great Lakes region has to be a world leader in clean,
                            sustainable production.
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THE FUTURE OF SOLEC
                                SOLEC will be convened every two years  to  provide useful
                                information on the state of the Great Lakes ecosystem.

                                SOLEC 1996, to be held in Windsor, Ontario, is  being designed
                                around a nearshore theme.

                                The ongoing, day-to-day jobs of determining responsibility for
                                cleaning up and restoring the Great Lakes; of  reviewing progress
                                on recovery of the Lakes; and of encouraging feedback from all
                                sectors are tremendous tasks. The governments of Canada and the
                                United States recognize that SOLEC will help in furthering this
                                work.
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SOLEC MAJOR FINDINGS: A SUMMARY
Generally, the Great Lakes ecosystem has improved significantly but we are still a long way
from full restoration.   An overall assessment of the state of the Great Lakes over the past 30
years indicates a variety of dramatic achievements such as: nutrient reductions; improvements in
public health; declines in contaminant levels in fish and wildlife; and a resurgence of some fish
and wildlife populations. However, problems continue in several areas including the continuing
loss of wetlands, fish consumption advisories, and subtle effects of chemicals on fish, wildlife
and humans. Some of the more specific findings are:


       1. Importance of Habitat to Ecosystem  Health

                          Approximately 80% of coastal wetlands have been lost in the lower lakes
                          basin; near shore habitat has been destroyed, including spawning and
                          nursery areas for fish, nesting sites for birds, hunting and feeding areas
                          for mammals. Losses still occur at an unacceptable rate.  Some progress
                          has been made at rehabilitation.


       2. Importance of Non-Native Species to Ecosystem Integrity

                          Zebra, mussels, sea lamprey, purple loosestrife, river ruffe and countless
                          other invaders have upset the food web and compete for habitat.  This
                          results in loss of native species and of genetic stocks within surviving
                          species.


       3. Global Nature of Contamination

                          Up to 90% of some contaminants entering Lake Superior do so from the
                          atmosphere.  Much of this is from sources far outside the Great Lakes
                          basin, including Europe and Asia.


       4. Food Chain Effects on Contaminant  Movement

                          Fish and wildlife show no decrease in contaminant levels recently. This
                          could  be caused by different food sources  being consumed.  These
                          changes in food sources could be a result of zebra mussels upsetting the
                          food chain.
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5. Hormone Mimicry
                     SOLEC identified a potential new problem in the Lakes, namely certain
                     chemicals, such as some pesticides which mimic hormones in  aquatic
                     organisms and in humans.  This issue appears to be global in nature.
6. Phosphorus Control Strategy
                     Control strategies adopted in the 1970s have paid off. Phosphorus levels
                     are at or very near target levels, but some people are asking that more
                     phosphorus be added to Lake Erie, to Dgrow more fishD. Zebra mussels
                     have depleted the algal food supply  for fish in the Lake, and the idea is
                     more phosphorus=more algae=more fish.
7. Socio-Economics
                     SOLEC integrated socio-economics into  a conference  of traditional
                     natural sciences.  This integration was important because one must
                     understand  the social and economic pressures that result in degraded
                     ecosystems. It was also recognized that a strong economy provides the
                     resources,   both  people  and  dollars,  to  protect  and restore  the
                     environment.
8. Loss of Biodiversity
                     There has been an irreversible loss of native species and subspecies.  17
                     species of fish are listed as either extinct, extirpated (ie. not found in
                     their former geographic range) or depleted.  Only 20 stocks of river
                     spawning lake trout now exist in Lake Superior. There has been a major
                     loss of bald eagle and peregrine falcon nesting habitat.  Recovery actions
                     are underway.
9. Human Health
                     Human health effects  are difficult to relate directly to specific Great
                     Lakes ecosystem conditions.   Contaminant  levels in Great  LakesD
                     residents  are  generally similar  to  levels  of other  populations  in
                     industrialized areas.  Human health has improved dramatically since the
                     early pioneering days as a result of better sanitation, better medical care
                     and better food.
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