A new report finds governments are not making “sufficient progress” toward insuring the “drinkability, swimmability and fishability of the Great Lakes.”
The report, entitled the First Triennial Assessment of Progress on the Great Lakes, comes from the International Joint Commission, or IJC. The IJC is a bi-national organization created under the Boundary Water Treaty of 1909.
The triennial assessment released today was required under a 2012 agreement.
The report finds not enough progress in reducing pollutants, including phosphorus which is creating cyanobacteria blooms in Lake Erie. A bloom three years ago forced Toledo to shut off its water for two days.
The IJC report says there has been significant progress in preventing the introduction of aquatic invasive species to the Great Lakes. However, the report says “continued vigilance is required.”
