International Joint Commission

SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS
CHAPTER 2: STATE OF THE GREAT LAKES BASIN ECOSYSTEM FRAMEWORK
It is recommended that:
The International Joint Commission continue to develop the reporting strategy for the
state of the Great Lakes in the context of a basin ecosystem framework as envisaged by
the Agreement (2.2.2)
A code of ethics to guide human activities and involving young people, be developed for
the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem, under the auspices of the IJC (2.2.3)
CHAPTER 3: HUMAN AND ECOSYSTEM HEALTH
It is recommended that:
The Science Advisory Board's 1989 recommendation to the Parties be implemented to
develop ecosystem objectives that specify the number of pairs of bald eagles (Haliaeetus
leucocephalus), their productivity, and egg and brain residues, associated with the virtual
elimination of persistent toxic substances from the Great Lakes and connecting channels
(3.1.1)
The Parties develop an ecosystem objective forthe double-crested cormorant (Phalacrocorax
auritus), with particular reference to embryo mortality, incidence of deformities and
eggshell thickness and associated levels of persistent toxic substances (3.1.2)
The Parties develop an ecosystem objective for lake trout that specifically relates the
incidence of embryo mortality, fry survival and developmental anomalies in samples of
eggs of fish exposed to persistent toxic substances (3.1.3)
The Parties investigate the feasibility of developing ecosystem objectives relating the
status of mink and otter populations to exposures to persistent toxic substances (3.1.4)
.
It is recommended that the International Joint Commission declare that persistent toxic
substances that biornagnify, particularly organochlorines, are a hazard to human health
in the Great Lakes basin (3.2.7).
It is recommended that (1) the goal of the Parties be to achieve virtual elimination of
persistent toxic substances, especially organochlorines, from human beings and (2) that
the levels of persistent toxic substances in breast milk be used as an indicator for human
body burden and potential exposure of the developing human and that scientific criteria
and objectives be developed for acceptable levels of persistent toxic substances in breast
milk (3.2.7).
It is again recommended that a coordinated, multidisciplinary binational program be
established to moreclearly understand and to prevent injurious health effectsof chemicals
designated as priority chemicals by the International Joint Commission (3.2.7).
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