Review of Annex 1 - GLWQA Doug Spry Workshop convened by the Parties Implementation Work Group of the Science Advisory Board of the International Joint Commission 21 March 2001

GLWQA Review: Annex 1 - Specific Objectives Parties Implementation Work Group Workshop March 21, 2001 set or revise measurable monitor report judge environmental quality Assessment acceptable decide management action Prevention or Remediation not acceptable set or revise objectives Is Annex 1 still relevant and useful? after Ont. Min Environ. unpub.

GLWQA Review: Annex 1 - Specific Objectives Parties Implementation Work Group Workshop March 21, 2001 Is Annex 1 still relevant and useful? not in its current form Specific Objectives are out of date – do not reflect current knowledge base for parameter – do not reflect current state of science in criteria development S.O. don’t drive management action

GLWQA Review: Annex 1 - Specific Objectives Parties Implementation Work Group Workshop March 21, 2001 Improving the Science develop S.O. for appropriate media (water, sediment, tissue) to protect holistically make better use of bioavailability establish natural background concentrations for metals address uncertainty address emerging issues - EDCs, mixtures, MWWE make risk-based? policy issues of changing the S.O.

GLWQA Review: Annex 1 - Specific Objectives Parties Implementation Work Group Workshop March 21, 2001 Improving the Science - PCBs complex mixtures congener specific profiles weathered through time and movement congener toxicity varies by ~ fold GLWQA 1987 Total PCBs (unspecified) - tissue-based objective Current Canadian EQGs Congener Specific Analysis; TEQs based on 12 congeners - tissue residue guideline - sediment quality guideline

GLWQA Review: Annex 1 - Specific Objectives Parties Implementation Work Group Workshop March 21, 2001 Improving the Relevance use S.O. to drive management action – difficult due to different regulatory frameworks? recognize “other” S.O. – Indicators for GL Basin Ecosystem Health e.g. Phosphorus, – Turtle egg and adult tissue residue guidelines – Contaminants in spottailed shiners action levels for PBTs still appropriate declare some victories (pesticides < objectives?)

GLWQA Review: Annex 1 - Specific Objectives Parties Implementation Work Group Workshop March 21, 2001 Should Annex 1 be revised? Only if it contributes something – drives management action – SOE reporting to the public set or revise measurable monitor report judge environmental quality Assessment acceptable decide management action Prevention or Remediation not acceptable set or revise objectives

GLWQA Review: Annex 1 - Specific Objectives Parties Implementation Work Group Workshop March 21, 2001 Options for Revising Annex 1 S.O. Adopt S.O. from existing pool of current objectives from the Parties, i.e. CEQG and U.S. GLI Revise existing Annex 1 to provide guidance on the use of existing “criteria” of the Parties Revise and develop new objectives using current science IJC takes ownership of S.O. and develops and uses them in a monitoring and reporting framework to influence the Parties.

GLWQA Review: Annex 1 - Specific Objectives Parties Implementation Work Group Workshop March 21, 2001 Is there a role for ecological indicators? yes, if they are measureable – existing ecosystem objective doesn’t contain measurement endpoints – some newer IGLBEH still lack measurement endpoints

GLWQA Review: Annex 1 - Specific Objectives Parties Implementation Work Group Workshop March 21, 2001 Conclusions Annex 1 Specific Objectives are dated Current state of science warrants revisions Amendments are feasible Should reflect current practices and policies of Parties Should enhance operation and effectiveness of GLWQA

GLWQA Review: Annex 1 - Specific Objectives Parties Implementation Work Group Workshop March 21, 2001 Next Steps Political will to revise Annex 1 (chemical or ecological objectives) Resources to do it Focus on priorities, not laundry list