Presidents Executive Order for the Great Lakes A Presentation to the NOAA Science Advisory Board

1. Presidents Executive Order for the Great Lakes A Presentation to the NOAA Science Advisory Board Stephen B. Brandt Director NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory March 23, 2005

2. Purpose • Requested briefing to the SAB on a unique approach for Regional, Interagency Coordination. • Provide a model for an Ecosystem Approach in other regions

3. Key Issues for SAB • Ecosystem Approach requires involvement of federal agencies, states, tribes, local decision-makers and stakeholders • The Great Lakes are now accomplishing this under the Presidents Executive Order • This Process provides a model for other regions and for the Presidents Dec. 17 Executive Order creating a cabinet-level Committee of Ocean Policy. • Requires Extensive NOAA Coordination

4. Presidents Executive Order May 18, 2004 Establishment of Great Lakes Interagency Task Force and Promotion of a Regional Collaboration of National Significance for the Great Lakes

6. Great Lakes Facts • 95,000 Square miles of water • 250 Species of fish • Drinking Water for 40 Million People • $4 Billion Sports Fishery (1/3 of U.S. registered boaters). • Commercial Shipping—200 Million Tons—1270 Mile Transportation Route • Largest surface freshwater supply in the world (90% of surface U.S. supply) • 56 Billion Gallons per day for Municipal, Agricultural, Industrial • Longest U.S. Coastline, 1,000 mile intern. border

7. Great Lakes Threats • Commercial and Recreational Fisheries • Habitat destruction • Threats to Human Health • Invasive Species • Storms, Ice damage, Erosion, High Waves, Water level extremes, Climate change • Safety of Commercial and Recreational Boating • Spills, Contaminated Food or Drinking Water, HAB’s • Threats to water quantity and quality

8. Presidents Executive Order • Great Lakes are a ‘National Treasure’ • 140 Federal Programs • International • A Number of Intergovernmental Bodies, agreements and treaties • Requires Federal Government to fund effective, coordinated and environmentally sound activities in the Great Lakes • Defined ‘Great Lakes’ as the drainage basin.

9. Presidents Executive Order – Congressional ‘Prompts’ • GAO Report on 140 Federal Programs • Senate Bill :“Great Lakes Environmental Restoration Act” $6B/10 years • House Bill: “ Great Lakes Restoration Financing Act of 2003’ $4B/5 years

10. Presidents Executive Order • Establish a process for Collaboration of Feds with states, local communities, tribes, regional bodies and other interests on policies, strategies, plans, programs and priorities etc • Include Canada and other Bi-national bodies

11. Presidents Executive Order (iv)Developoutcome based goalsfor the Great Lakes relying upon, among other things, existing data andscience-basedindicators of water quality and related environmental factors. These goals shall focus on outcomes such as cleaner water, sustainable fisheries, and biodiversity of the Great Lakes system and ensure that Federal policies, strategies, projects and prioritiessupport measurable results.

12. Presidents Executive Order (iii) Consistent Federal policies for restoration, protection and management … … (vii) Ensure coordinated Federal Scientific and other research (viii) Ensure coordinated government development and implementation of the Great Lakes portion of the Global Observation System of Systems.

13. Task Force (9 Agencies, CEQ) Convenors (Feds, States, Tribes, Cities) Working Group (11 Agencies) 8 Strategic Teams (Feds, States, Tribes, Cities, NGOs, stakeholders, etc) Federal coordination: Policies, strategies, projects, priorities for restoration, protection, research, observing systems:… Outcome-based goals and measurable results Regional Collaboration of National Significance

14. Summary of Declaration and Framework • Dec. 3 – Chicago • Sign a “Framework” • Sign a “Declaration”

18. WH CEQ VADM Governors Daley Ehlers Leavitt

19. Declaration • Purpose – To declare broad support for the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration. • Who signs – All Conveners attending December 3rd meeting including members of the Federal Cabinet, Governors, Mayors, Tribes, the Congressional Delegation and other State and local elected officials.

20. Framework – Goals • Three goals of GLRC • Develop a Great Lakes Restoration and Protection Strategy building on existing collaborative efforts already in place that ‘informs future implementation of programs and funding throughout the region’. • Serve as a forum to address near term regional issues. • Create an oversight forum to coordinate and enhance implementation of the Strategy.

21. Framework – Basics • Purpose – To establish governance process for GLRC. • Who will participate and in what capacity; • how decisions will be made; • when will work product be finished and what will it be. • Who Signs -- • Spokesperson for Governors, Feds, Congressional Delegation, Tribes and Mayors will sign Framework during the ceremony. • What does it mean – • By signing, Members demonstrate a serious commitment to meaningful participation in the GLRC.

22. Framework Structure • GLRC Members • Who - 8 GL Governors, GL Mayors, 9 Federal Cabinet Level officials, Tribal Leaders, Members of Congressional Delegation • Role – Make final decisions of GLRC at Summit I and Summit II. • Executive Committee • Who – feds, states, cities and Spokespersons for Tribes and Congress • Role – Working Arm of GLRC Members. Coordinate development of strategy, encourage stakeholder participation, raise issues to GLRC members as necessary, make recommendations to Members, propose and ratify any necessary changes to the Framework. • EC will operate on a consensus basis as described in the Framework. • Technical Advisors – governmental or quasi-governmental representatives with technical expertise. May provide technical advice throughout process. • Participants – Representatives of non-governmental stakeholder organizations or other interest groups. May register to participate on Issue Area Strategy Teams. • Observers – Canadian Federal, Provincial and local governments as well as First Nations may be invited to serve as Observers.

23. Framework – Regional Coordination of National Significance • Purpose – examine priority issues identified by the Governors and provide recommendations on specific issues within the Great Lakes ecosystem. • 3 Overarching Issues • Human Health • Tribal Interests and Perspectives • Research and Monitoring

24. Framework – Strategy Teams • Structure – 8 teams • Non-point source • Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxics Reduction • Invasive Species • Habitat/Species • Area of Concern Restoration/Sediments • Indicators and Information • Sustainable Development • Coastal Health

25. Issue Area Strategy Teams • Habitat/Species Strategy Team • (i)Addresses Governors’ Priority: “Enhance fish and wildlife by restoring and protecting coastal wetlands, fish and wildlife habitats.” • (ii)Issues to be covered include, but are not limited to: restoration/protection of habitat, native species, fisheries, coastal areas, wetlands, healthy forests, the natural hydrologic cycles, biodiversity, and other critical natural features and areas.

26. Issue Area Strategy Teams • Indicators and Information Strategy Team • (i)Addresses Governors’ Priority: “Standardize and enhance the methods by which information is collected, recorded and shared within the region.” • (ii)Issues to be covered include, but are not limited to: indicators, monitoring, data standards, reporting of environmental information, Great Lakes Integrated Coastal Observing System (GLICOS), Lakewide Management Plans (LaMPs), and the State of the Lakes Ecosystem Conference (SOLEC) process. Emphasis will be on strengthening decision-support systems.

27. Issue Area Strategy Teams • Invasive Species Strategy Team • (i)Addresses Governors’ Priority: “Stop the introduction and spread of non-native aquatic invasive species.” • (ii)Issues to be covered include, but are not limited to: ballast water management, National Invasive Species Act/Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act present and future implementation, the Illinois carp barriers and exploration of other potential barriers, rapid response protocols and strategies, prevention and mitigation procedures, outreach and education, and applied research.

28. Format for Strategy Team Chapters • Goal is 4-5 page strategy plus support materials • Overarching Themes • Problem Statement • Goals: Performance-based, prioritization • Ongoing Efforts • Evaluation of Alternative Approaches: Cost, feasibility, benefits • Recommended Actions: What, When, Who, Why (B/C assessment), Endpoint (success)

29. Charge to Chairs • Great opportunity to make a big difference in the Great Lakes • Create integrated strategic plan with broad based support • Sound basis for future action • Leadership expectations: • Consensus decision process as described in the framework • Authority to establish drafting committee for document development • Expectation that disputes will be resolved by elevation to Executive Committee • Provide monthly updates to Executive Committee

30. NOAA reps to the Strategy Teams • Non-point source (Sellinger) • Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxics Reduction (Landrum) • Invasive Species (Moy, Reid) • Habitat/Species (Jennifer Macal) • Area of Concern Restoration/Sediments (T. Goeks) • Indicators and Information (Brandt, co-chair, S. Young, J. Wilder) • Sustainable Development (Scavia) • Coastal Health (Reutter)

31. Framework – Roadmap • Summit 1 (July 7-8, 2005) – Executive Committee will present a draft Strategy to GLRC Members for decision. • Summer of 2005 – Draft Strategy circulated for broad public review (July 18th, 45 days). • Fall of 2005 – public comments incorporated into draft strategy. • Summit II (Dec 12, 2005) – Executive Committee will present revised Strategy for final decision and adoption. Other organizations will be invited to endorse the Strategy.

32. Task Force (9 Agencies, CEQ) Convenors (Feds, States, Tribes, Cities) Working Group (11 Agencies) 8 Strategic Teams (Feds, States, Tribes, Cities, NGOs, stakeholders, etc) Federal coordination: Policies, strategies, projects, priorities for restoration, protection, research, observing systems:… Outcome-based goals and measurable results

33. Regional Working Group: Federal coordination: • Policies, strategies, projects, priorities for restoration, protection, research, observing systems:… • Outcome-based goals and measurable results

34. Some Existing Collaborative Structures International • Great Lakes Fishery Commission • International Joint Commission (18 Boards) • Council of Great Lakes Research managers • Great Lakes Commission • Council of Great Lakes Governors • 10 Lake Committees • 41 Areas of Concern Across States Lakes, local

35. Regional Working Group • EPA • USFWS • NPS • USGS • Natural Resources Conservation Service • Forest Service • NOAA • Dept. Housing and Urban Development • Dept. Transportation • Coast Guard (Homeland Security) • Army Core of Engineers

36. NOAA Reps to the Regional Working Group • Stephen Brandt NOAA • Ron Baird – OAR • Gary Matlock – NOS • Rollie Schmitten – NMFS • Therese Pierce- NWS • Kent Hughes- NESDIS

37. Some Working Group Activities • CEQ assessment of Federal expenditures by Agency and 8 topics • Inventory of all interagency activities and assessment of priorities and who has lead, contacts etc (over 200) • Selected top 5 near-term priorities • Rapid Response to new Invasive • Weekly two-hour meetings

38. Example: Invasive Species Rapid Response Snakehead fish in Lake Michigan October 19-22

39. NOAA Issues • Little funding for these activities yet, but strong support at the highest level • Need to assess NOAA responsibilities, roles and leadership within the context of the ecosystem approach relative to other agencies • Coordination/communication within NOAA and across matrices/goals is critical • How will/can NOAA respond to priorities defined by the process?

40. Questions?

41. BACKUP SLIDES

42. Issue Area Strategy Teams • Sustainable Development • (i)Addresses Governors’ Priority: “Adopt sustainable use practices that protect environmental resources and may enhance the recreational and commercial value of our Great Lakes.” • (ii)Issues to be covered include, but are not limited to: transportation, brownfields, land-use and preservation practices, waterfront restoration, and economic viability as a function of environmental and natural resource protection.

43. Issue Area Strategy Teams • Area of Concern (AOC) Restoration/ Sediments Strategy Team • (i)Addresses Governors’ Priority: “Restore to environmental health the Areas of Concern identified by the International Joint Commission as needing remediation.” • (ii)Issues to be covered include, but are not limited to: restoring the health of AOCs through the remedial action program, cleaning up contaminated sediments through the implementation of the Great Lakes Legacy Act and other authorities, and delisting of AOCs.

44. Issue Area Strategy Teams • Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxics (PBT) Reduction Strategy Team • (i)Addresses Governors’ Priority: “Continue to reduce the introduction of PBTs into the Great Lakes ecosystem.” • (ii)Issues to be covered include, but are not limited to: reduction of toxic substances, pollution prevention, new chemicals of concern, air deposition and long range transport, Great Lakes Initiative (GLI) and fish consumption advisories.

45. Issue Area Strategy Teams • Nonpoint Source Strategy Team • (i)Addresses Governors’ Priority: “Control pollution from diffuse sources into water, land and air.” • (ii)Issues to be covered include, but are not limited to: buffer strips, Clean Water Act Section 319 requirements, total maximum daily load programs (TMDLs), agricultural practices, erosion, nutrients, coastal nonpoint pollution issues, stormwater runoff, and conservation reserve programs.

46. Issue Area Strategy Teams • Coastal Health Strategy Team - (i)            Addresses Governors’ Priority: “Promote programs to protect human health against adverse effects of pollution in the Great Lakes ecosystem.” • (ii)          Issues to be covered include, but are not limited to: beach closings, combined sewer overflows (CSO) sanitary sewer overflows (SSO), bacteria and pathogen contamination.

47. Great Lakes Facts • Outlet for municipal and industrial waste. • Power Generation and Cooling water • 1,000 Mile International Border • Industrial Center e.g. (98% of Iron Ore, 58% of automobiles) • International Boundary and Treaties — International Joint Commission — Great Lakes Fisheries Commission