SOLEC 2OOO SOLEC 2OOO SOLEC 2OOO As Parties to the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, the governments of Canada and the United States are responsible for accurate reporting on the state of the Great Lakes. The State of the Lakes Ecosystem Conference is a result of this commitment to reporting. With the establishment of a consistent suite of ecosystem indicators, the health of the Great Lakes basin can be objectively assessed. Regular reporting of a core set of indicators will promote more efficient and successful management as well as creating more accessible information for policy makers and the public. The first two conferences in 1994 and 1996 developed a series of ad hoc indicators to evaluate the state of various Great Lakes ecosystem components. SOLEC 98 went beyond the previous SOLECs and presented a comprehensive list of ecosystem indicators for review and discussion. This suite of indicators objectively represents the state of the Lakes while establishing consistent biennial reporting. SOLEC 2000 will begin to assess the state of the Great Lakes using the indicators. Future SOLECs will report on the complete suite of indicators. SOLEC 2000 will examine the human health issues of swimmability, drinkability and fishability, and will explore the development and use of ecological indices. Steering Committee members represent a wide variety of agencies from around the Great Lakes: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Council of Great Lakes Industries Environment Canada Great Lakes Commission Great Lakes Fishery Commission Great Lakes States Great Lakes United International Joint Commission Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs Ontario Ministry of Environment Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Tribes/First Nations U.S. Environmental Protection Agency U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service U.S. Geological Survey There are many other individuals and representatives from environmental groups, academia and local governments who have participated in the work necessary to develop this conference. IMPLEMENTING INDICATORS For additional information please contact: Office of Regional Science Advisor Environment Canada - Ont. Region 4905 Dufferin St. Downsview, Ontario M3H 5T4 ph: 416-739-5760 fax: 416-739-4691 e-mail: alison.bloom@ec.gc.ca Great Lakes National Program Office US EPA 77 West Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60604 ph: 312-353-2087 fax:312-353-2018 e-mail: madden.molly@epa.gov October 17, 18, & 19, 2000 Hamilton Convention Centre Hamilton, Ontario Hosted by: Environment Canada & United States Environmental Protection Agency ------- Monday October 16, 2000 An evening reception will take place in the Heritage Room of the Sheraton Hamilton Hotel Hors d'oeuvres & refreshments provided Sponsored by Great Lakes Commission DAY ONE - Tuesday October 1 7, 2000 Morning PLENARY: State of the Great Lakes 8:30 Welcome/Opening Ceremonies/Native Greetings SOLEC Past and Future State of the Great Lakes: assessment using indicators for the following groupings: * nearshore and open waters * coastal wetlands * nearshore terrestrial and land use * societal * human health beach closures drinking water fish contaminants Great Lakes Index Concept Lunch and Guest Speaker Afternoon CONCURRENT SESSIONS: In-depth Discussions About the State of the Great Lakes. What are the indicators telling us? Concurrent Sessions 1 Concurrent Sessions 2 5:30 Adjourn 5:30 - 7:30 Poster Session and Mixer Morning PLENARY: Putting Indicators to Use at the Local Level 8:30 Recap of Day 1 & Overview of Day 2 Biodiversity Investment Area Integration Putting Indicators to Use: case studies and presentations by local groups Success Stories: highlights of projects by award receipients Lunch Afternoon CONCURRENT SESSIONS: Indicator Toolbox. Opportunity to gather more information on the case studies (examples of issues to be discussed: easements, ecological restoration, volunteer monitoring programs, indicators at the local level, fundraising, how to change local governance (zoning), how to keep public interest, CIS approach, industry and community partnerships) 3:00 Adjourn 3:30 Fun Run/Walk and Excursions Evening DINNER: Sheraton Hamilton Hotel 6:00 Cash Bar Opens 7:00 SHEMO Recognition of Success Stories Dinner Guest Speaker DAY THREE - Thursday October 19, 2000 Morning PLENARY: Lake Ecosystem Status Reports 8:30 Recap Day 2 & Overview Day 3 Lake Presentations Lunch Afternoon CONCURRENT SESSIONS: Cross-cutting Great Lakes Issues & Lake Sessions. An opportunity to look at each lake in more detail or to participate in special topic sessions. PLENARY: Commencement Conference Wrap Up Native Closing 3:30 SOLEC 2000 Adjourns 3:30-5:30 Meeting rooms available Please note: Registration to take place on Mon. Oct. 16, 6:30pm-9:00pm, or Tues. Oct. 17, 7:30am-12noon in the Convention Centre lobby. For further information on SOLEC visit our web site at http://www.cciw.ca/solec/ http://www.epa.gov/grtlakes/solec/ ------- |