1. Gerry Pratt State AOC Coordinator, Division of Water New York State Department of Environmental Conservation 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-3508 P: 518 402 8246

2. Agenda Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement Great Lakes Restoration Initiative II Plan Administration of the AOC program Focus Area 1: Toxic Substances & AOCs Planning Remedial Actions Implementation Funding Project Examples

3. The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA) 2012 with Canada provide the basis for international efforts to manage this shared resource. International Joint Commission-decision making body

4. Great Lakes Restoration Initiative II Plan U.S. EPA Action Plan for Federal FY 15 -19 Toxic Substances and Areas of Concern (AOC) Invasive Species Nonpoint Source Pollution Impacts on Nearshore Health Habitats and Species Foundations for Future Restoration Actions Accountability, Monitoring, Evaluation, Communitcation Partnering

5. U.S. Administration USEPA Great Lakes National Program Office Administration of Great Lakes Strategy/Agenda Provides assistance for community-based Remedial Action Plans (RAP) for Areas of Concern (AOC) and for Lakewide Management Plans. Each year, GLNPO uses its funding to assist partners in these areas through grants, interagency agreements, and contracts. NYSDEC Great Lakes Program has oversight of GLRI and State AOC activities. DEC liaison with Federal Agencies and local groups Provides technical assistance to Remedial Advisory Committees Coordinates projects with DEC and State programs. Ensure the RAP process is responsive to the legitimate public agencies who are legally responsible to act. Remedial Advisory Committee formed (local stakeholders) to represent environmental, economic, social interests of AOC Charged with planning and putting forward actions necessary for delisting BUIs

6. Areas of Concern The U.S.-Canada Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (Annex 1 of the 2012 Protocol) defines Areas of Concern (AOC) as "geographic areas that fail to meet the general or specific objectives of the agreement where such failure has caused or is likely to cause impairment of beneficial use of the area's ability to support aquatic life." More simply put, an AOC is a location that has experienced environmental degradation.

7. NYS AOCs

8. Action Plan II Focus Area 1: Toxic Substances & AOCs Principal Objectives: Remediate, Restore and Delist Areas of Concern. Increase knowledge about contaminants in Great Lakes fish and wildlife Commitments: Reduce human exposure to contaminants from Great Lakes fish consumption Identify emerging contaminants and assess impacts on Great Lakes fish and wildlife Implement management actions necessary to remove Beneficial Use Impairments and delist Areas of Concern

9. Action Plan II Focus Area 1: Toxic Substances & AOCs Measures of Progress: Areas of Concern where all management actions necessary for delisting have been implemented Area of Concern Beneficial Use Impairments Removed Number of people provided information on the risks and benefits of Great Lakes fish consumption by GLRI-funded projects Number of GLRI-funded projects that identify and/or assess impacts of emerging contaminants on Great Lakes fish and wildlife

10. How are AOC Issues being addressed? Remedial Action Plans (RAPs)-non regulatory The two federal governments cooperate with state and provincial governments to develop and implement Remedial Action Plans (RAPs) for each Area of Concern. Beneficial Use Impairments (BUIs) RAPs address impairments to any one of 14 beneficial uses (e.g., habitat degradation, restrictions on fish and wildlife consumption, dredging activities, or drinking water consumption) associated with these areas. RACs develop criteria (measures) to address BUI removals

11. BUI Removal RAP teams develop delisting criteria for each AOC. Delisting criteria help focus remediation and restoration activities. AOCs are delisted as beneficial uses are restored. Restoring United States Areas of Concern: Delisting Principles and Guidelines (December 2001)

12. GLRI Implementation EPA provides funds to States Tribes Cities and Local Gov’t and Non Governmental Organizations through Grants EPA provides funds to other Federal Agencies through Interagency Agreements.

13. GLRI Funding Annual EPA RFP Other state and federal grants reissue using existing cooperative and grant programs.

14. NYS Project Examples Research studies relative to evaluating condition of BUIs. Sediment, Water Quality, Fish, Trophic State, Wildlife. Habitat restoration of wetlands or riparian areas degraded as a result of past practices. Implement BMPs to mitigate degradation and improve resource use. Provide increased access to resources (boat launch, docks). Sediment Dredging

15. Questions?