Great Lakes Binational Toxics Strategy

IMPLEMENTING THE BINATIONAL TOXICS STRATEGY
Implementation

Stakeholders Forum
November 16-17, 1998 - Chicago, Illinois

Process and Structure: Partner Feedback Form

U.S.EPA and Environment Canada are seeking your input on whether changes are needed in the structure and process established to implement the Binational Toxics Strategy. Comments on any individual workgroup should be raised during the workgroup meetings. Please answer the questions below to give us your feedback on the overall design of BNS implementation.  

Background

On April 7, 1997, Canada and the United States signed The Canada-United States Strategy for the Virtual Elimination of Persistent Toxic Substances in the Great Lakes, also known as the Binational Strategy, or BNS, establishing a collaborative process by which EC and USEPA in consultation with their stakeholders will work toward the goal of virtual elimination of specific persistent toxic substances in the Great Lakes resulting from human activity. The BNS provides a framework and timeline for actions to reduce or eliminate the following substances:

• alkyl-lead
• benzo(a)pyrene
• dioxins and furans
• hexachlorobenzene (HCB)
• mercury and compounds
• octachlorostyrene (OCS)
• PCBs
• aldrin/dieldrin, chlordane, DDT, mirex, and toxaphene

BNS Structure

To achieve the BNS goals and associated chemical-specific numeric challenges, the two countries set up seven substance-specific workgroups, each of which has Canadian and U.S. co-leaders. These workgroups are expected to meet face-to-face about twice each year and communicate electronically or by telephone as needed. Membership is open to all interested parties. The BNS is currently emphasizing voluntary reductions and partnerships as well as a four-step process to (1) gather data on the sources (within and outside the Great Lakes basin) which release the pollutants identified above, (2) assess current environmental management regulations, initiatives, and programs which manage or control these pollutants, (3) identify cost-effective options to achieve further reductions, and (4) implement actions to work toward the goal of virtual elimination. An Integration Group has also been established to address organizational, administrative, process, and other cross-cutting issues.

Structure: How well is the overall BNS structure (e.g., substance-specific workgroups and a cross-cutting Integration Group) working? How could it be improved?

Workgroups: Should the number and/or organization of the existing substance-specific workgroups be modified for the coming year? If so, how?

Meeting Frequency/Location: Currently, the BNS Stakeholder Forums and Integration Group meetings are expected to be held twice per year at different major cities around the Great Lakes. Is this appropriate? How can these meetings be more productive?

Membership: Are the key stakeholder groups now participating in the BNS? If not, what should the current BNS participants do to recruit those who are needed?

Communications: To date, we have relied heavily on electronic forums (e.g., email and the BNS website) to share information with each other about the BNS effort. How well does this approach work? What other communications/outreach strategies should we use to improve internal BNS communications? How can we improve outreach/communication to others not familiar with the BNS?

General: Do you have any other suggestions for improving the BNS structure and process?