Lake Erie Environmental Forum 4/19/2016 Great Lakes Roundup Lake Erie Environmental Forum 4/19/2016

Surface freshwater in the world. 84% of Surface freshwater in North America 1/5 of the Surface freshwater in the world.

77 miles of coastline. 2% of the total Great Lakes watershed area.

Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement Update The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA) is a commitment between the United States and Canada to restore and protect the waters of the Great Lakes. The Agreement provides a framework for identifying binational priorities and implementing actions that improve water quality. It enhances water quality programs that ensure the “chemical, physical, and biological integrity” of the Great Lakes. EPA coordinates U.S. activities that fulfill the Agreement. States participate in Lake Partnerships, Annex Subcommittees, and Work Groups.

Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement Update

Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement Update Annex 2: Lakewide Management 2013 Lake Erie Planning Year, 2014 Field Year (CSMI), 2015 Lab Analysis, 2016 Data Analysis 2017 - Lake Erie Report and Outreach 2018 - Creation of Lake Erie LAMP. The Lake Erie LAMP will: Establish Lakewide Ecosystem Objectives (LEOs) Provide a “State of the Lake” Identify science priorities. Prioritize protection and restoration actions. Integrate nutrient issues from Annex 4.

Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement Update Annex 3: Chemicals of Mutual Concern (CMCs) Identify, target, and reduce CMCs that originate from anthropogenic (human) sources, and that are agreed to by both countries as being potentially harmful to human health or the environment. The US and Canada designated the first set of new CMCs in May. Seeking nominations for second set. First set: Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) Long-Chain Perfluorinated carboxylic acids (LC-PFCAs) Mercury Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) Short-Chain Chlorinated Paraffins (SCCPs)

Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement Update Annex 4: Nutrients Adopted new phosphorus reduction targets in February 2016. Developing a Binational Phosphorus Reduction Strategy 2018 US and Canada each developing a Domestic Action Plan 2018 States developing individual DAPs by 2017 for integration. Great Lakes Commission developing ErieSTAT tracking.

Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement Update Annex 8: Groundwater In June, Annex Subcommittee released: “Groundwater science relevant to the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement: A status report”

Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact and Agreement Governs water use and diversions within the Great Lakes Basin. Designed to protect resource and reduce conflict between political jurisdictions. Compact is signed between the states, ratified by Congress, implemented by states. Agreement is between states AND provinces. Has same language as the compact. Both were formalized in 2008.

Compact and Agreement Provisions Created Water Resources Council (Compact Council) and the Regional Body. Pennsylvania maintains two alternates and designees of Governor Wolf. Each state must implement a water resources inventory, registration and reporting program. Each state must implement a water conservation and efficiency program.

Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact and Agreement All new or increased withdrawals must meet criteria. BAN on all new or increased diversions from the basin (with 3 specific exceptions). Established Regional Review process for evaluating withdrawals and diversion exceptions.

Waukesha, WI Diversion Proposal Contaminated water supply. Chlorides/Radium Located outside of basin by approx. 1.5 miles but within groundwater boundary of influence. Applied for 10.1 MGD diversion of Great Lakes water from Lake Michigan. Approved with conditions on June 21. www.waukeshadiversion. org

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative – 2016 PA Cooperative Partnerships PA Sea Grant Pennsylvania LEEF Environment Erie Begin ANEW Urban Stormwater Regional Science Consortium Harmful Algae Bloom Monitoring and Detection Program Erie County Department of Public Safety Purchase of Spill Response Trailers (5) Erie County Department of Health Mapping and monitoring of Small Flow Treatment Facilities (SFTF) in Erie County, PA

Thank you!

Pennsylvania’s Phosporus Reduction Domestic Action Plan (DAP) Lake Erie Environmental Forum 4/19/2016

QLWQA 2012 – Annex 4: Nutrients Manages phosphorus concentrations and loadings. Establishes Lake Ecosystem Objectives. Establishes Substance Objectives for TP Concentrations and Loadings Requires program evaluation and enhancement.

Annex 4: Lake Ecosystem Objectives Minimize hypoxic zones. Maintain algae below nuisance. Maintain healthy algae species. Maintain cyanobacteria at levels below which are a threat to humans or ecosystem. Maintain oligotrophic/biomass/algal species in Superior, Michigan, Huron Ontario Maintain mesotrophic conditions in West/Central Erie and oligotrophic conditions in East Erie.

Complete program inventory and Evaluation Requirements for Review Within 3 years for Lake Erie: 2016 Review interim objectives and loading targets. Determine loading allocations by country. Develop concentrations for nearshore waters. Establish load reduction targets for priority tributary watersheds. COMPLETED Within 5 years: 2018 Develop Binational Strategy and Domestic Action Plans (US and CA) Complete program inventory and Evaluation

New Phosphorus Targets To minimize the extent of hypoxic zones in the waters of the central basin of Lake Erie: A 40 percent reduction in total phosphorus entering the western and central basins of Lake Erie—from the United States and from Canada—to achieve an annual load of 6,000 metric tons to the central basin. This amounts to a reduction from the United States and Canada of 3,316 metric tons and 212 metric tons respectively.

New Phosphorus Targets To maintain cyanobacteria biomass at levels that do not produce concentrations of toxins that pose a threat to human or ecosystem health in the waters of the western basin of Lake Erie: A 40 percent reduction in spring total and soluble reactive phosphorus loads from the Maumee River in the United States.

New Phosphorus Targets To maintain algal species consistent with healthy aquatic ecosystems in the nearshore waters of the western and central basins of Lake Erie: A 40 percent reduction in spring total and soluble reactive phosphorus loads from the following watersheds where algae is a localized problem: in Canada, Thames River and Leamington tributaries; and in the United States, Maumee River, River Raisin, Portage River, Toussaint Creek, Sandusky River and Huron River (Ohio).

US Domestic Action Plan Will merge the DAPs of all of the states into a single document. WHAT DOES PA NEED TO DO? No Pennsylvania tributaries will be on the priority list for phosphorus reductions. Maumee, Sandusky, Grand Rivers. Prepare to characterize the nutrient loading properties of our streams to demonstrate our compliance to other Great Lakes states, especially those in the Central Basin. Participate in action/planning efforts with other Lake Erie states and Ontario (GLC Lake Erie Nutrient Taskforce). Develop a Pennsylvania Domestic Action Plan to incorporate into US DAP.

PA Domestic Action Plan Components: Purpose and Background Goals Applicable Central Basin targets Load allocation Timeframe Stakeholder Engagement

PA Domestic Action Plan Components cont.: Objectives Establish accountability Specific program and actions Tactics Current, new, and proposed. Measuring Progress and Achieving Consensus Establish timelines, benchmarks, measurement, reporting.

PA Domestic Action Plan Development Timeline: Draft by beginning of November. Opportunity for public review and comment. Presentation of draft at December LEEF. Finalize by early 2017 and present to parties and Annex 4.