THE FACTS

THE FACTS
Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement
Initial version signed by President Nixon and Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau in 1972. Updated several times since.
Purpose: "To restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the waters of the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem."
Obligates both Canada and the United States to develop programs, practices and technology aimed at fulfilling its goals.
Calls for "virtual elimination" of discharging persistent toxins into the waters and prohibition on dumping toxic substances in harmful amounts.
Calls for preventing pollution from municipal sewer systems; industrial sources; agriculture, forestry and other land-use activities; shipping; other sources.
Empowers International Joint Commission, a binational advisory agency, to collect information and submit progress reports.
Associated Press