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The action plan (external link) includes strong recommendations that will help restore the Great Lakes by slamming the door on invasive species, ending billions of gallons of raw sewage being dumped into the lakes, and restoring wetlands and other vital wildlife habitat. This plan is a good first step and, if fully funded, will create a cleaner, safer, and healthier Great Lakes environment for generations to come.
| Great Lakes Task Force encourages the states to pass the Great Lakes Compact |
On November 26th, the Great Lakes Task Force, a U.S. Congressional Body, encouraged the Governors of the eight Great Lakes states to pass the Great Lakes Compact. Read the letter.
| Toledo City Council shows support for the Great Lakes Compact |
On October 30, 2007, the Toledo City Council passed a resolution stating that the Compact does not compromise private property rights or the sovereignty of the Great Lakes states, as well as showing their support for the passage of the Great Lakes Compact as signed by the Council of Great Lakes Governors in 2005.
| Does the Great Lakes Compact infringe on private property rights? |
Some have misinterpreted the Great Lakes Compact findings clause that states: "The Waters of the Basin are precious public natural resources shared and held in trust by the States." On September 14, 2007, Ken Kilbert, Associate Professor of Law at the University of Toledo College of Law, states in a letter to Ohio Department of Natural Resources Director Sean Logan that this statement "does not transform private property rights into public trust property owned by the state."
Want a short synopsis of this misinformed interpretation? Read the fact sheet Public Trust Obligations and Private Property.
| More false claims arise at the statehouse |
Some at the statehouse have been claiming that the Compact is not needed and that the Water Resources Development Act 2000 is enough to protect our precious natural wonder. Some are also saying that by entering into the Great Lakes Compact Ohio is relinquishing it's sovereignty. Read why these claims are false.
| Healthy Lakes, Healthy Lives |
The Ohio Environmental Council is working closely with organizations (external link) throughout Ohio and across the Great Lakes Basin to push for large scale restoration efforts to address the many threats facing the Great Lakes.
| Great Lakes Collaboration Implementation Act of 2007 |
The Ohio Environmental Council supports the Great Lakes Collaboration Implementation Act of 2007 (Senate bill 791/ House Resolution 1350) and thanks Ohio’s Congressional delegation members, Senators Sherrod Brown and George Voinovich and Representatives Paul Gillmor (R-5th district), Stephanie Tubbs-Jones (D-11th district), Marcy Kaptur (D-9th district), Steven LaTourette (R-14th district), Ralph Regula (R-16th district), and Betty Sutton (D-13th district), who have supported this bill as well. This legislation encompasses the most pressing issues facing the Great Lakes today and uses the recommendations laid out in the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Restoration Plan.
If your Congressional delegation member is listed above, please call and thank them for their support. If not please contact your Congressional Representative and urge them to support this vital legislation. To locate your Congressional Representative visit www.house.gov.
| Western Lake Erie Basin Partnership |
The Ohio Environmental Council is working with federal, state, and local governments to undertake, for the first time ever, a tri-state, multi-year, regional watershed approach to Great Lakes restoration within the Western Lake Erie basin. Currently the Western Lake Erie Basin (WLEB) Partnership is crafting its strategies.
| OEC joins moratorium on ocean-going vessels |
On May 23rd, the Ohio Environmental Council joined groups around the region to call for a moratorium on ocean-going vessels entering the Great Lakes until Congress takes a comprehensive approach to preventing the further introduction of invasive species. Read more.
| OEC seeks restoration projects lacking funding |
In 2005, the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration (GLRC) issued its strategy to restore and protect the Great Lakes for future generations. The GLRC restoration plan outlines the problems facing the Lakes and the simple, common sense steps needed to restore and protect them.
Now the Great Lakes community must identify the short-term concrete actions that implement the restoration plan and protect the Great Lakes for our children and grandchildren. Do you have a project in mind within the Lake Erie basin? Questions: check out the FAQs or contact Kristy Meyer, Director of Clean Water Programs, at 614-487-7506 or kristy@theOEC.org.
| OEC Releases Great Lakes Restoration Fact Sheets |
To educate public officials and the citizens of Ohio about this opportunity to restore Lake Erie, the OEC has prepared fact sheets on:
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