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

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

4. 77 miles of coastline.
2% of the total Great Lakes watershed area.

5. 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.

6. Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement Update

7. 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
Lake Erie Report and Outreach
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.

8. 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)

9. 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.

10. 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”

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.
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15. 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

16. Thank you!

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

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. 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

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. 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).

24. 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.

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

26. 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.

27. 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.