Great Lakes Binational Toxics Strategy

Stakeholder Forum - 1998

IMPLEMENTING THE BINATIONAL TOXICS STRATEGY
Attachment C

Next Steps in Binational Strategy Implementation

It is anticipated that four major types of activities will take place over the next few months:

1. Substance-specific work groups will be established and will develop work plans for achieving the specific reduction challenge goals and related activities as described by the BNS.
2. The first Binational Strategy Stakeholder Forum Meeting is planned for the late Spring 1998 timeframe.
3. The Integration Work Group (as described in the Implementation Plan) and Government staff will work together to set up a list server and Binational Strategy web page to facilitate communication among all stakeholders.
4. Supporting work on technical analyses of source and emissions data for specific Level I substances will be initiated.

More detail regarding each of these activities can be found below.

Substance-Specific Work Groups

(Please note: the following activities will take place for each of the substance-specific work groups.)

• Interested stakeholders should contact group leaders to express interest in participating on specific work groups as soon as possible.
• Group leaders may arrange an initial conference call for all work group members.
• Group leaders will e-mail draft work plan to work group members in anticipation of first meeting, tentatively scheduled for February 19, 1998 in Chicago.
• During this initial meeting, work group members will begin to refine and complete the draft work plan provided by group leader.
• Work group finalizes work plan by agreed upon date.
• Work group initiates activities outlined in its work plan (e.g., begins the four step methodology), using contractor support if necessary.
• Work groups begin providing material to the EPA webmaster to post on their substance-specific web site.

  Binational Strategy Stakeholder Forum

• Initial forum meeting tentatively scheduled for late Spring 1998.
• Substance-specific work group members will report on progress made to date.
• The mercury work group may do a presentation to illustrate the types of on the ground activities it has initiated.

  Integration Work Group and Governments

• Will be establishing a list server so that all future Strategy-related information can be distributed to stakeholders via e-mail.
• Will create and maintain a web site to keep stakeholders informed of BNS-related activities and progress; links to substance-specific web sites will be established.
• Will draft the agenda for the first Binational Strategy Stakeholder Forum Meeting and circulate it to stakeholders for comment.
• Will keep abreast of current developments with LRTAP, the PBT initiative, the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC), and keep all stakeholders informed of such.

  Supporting Work

• Technical analyses of the various toxic substances to determine sources, emission quantities and pathways will be initiated and policy analyses, outreach strategies, and suggestions will also be provided when necessary.