1. THE GREAT LAKES MONITORING INVENTORY: A Brief Update...

2. OUTLINE Background Update Future Direction(s)

3. Formed in late 1980s by EPA & Environment Canada Current governing body for implementing GLWQA Established www.binational.net to improve on-line data quality & disseminationwww.binational.net 2001 identified need for binational, basin-wide inventory of monitoring programs raise awareness promote collaboration identify gaps BEC BACKGROUND

4. Several recommendations presented to Senior Management at the 2002 BEC meeting: Build on previous and on-going work of others; Input fields should be consistent with existing metadata standards Mandatory that BEC agencies (and affiliated agencies) contribute; On-line inventory & input form accessible through binational.net; BEC agency representatives sign off on their agencies' input to ensure completeness BACKGROUND Great Lakes Monitoring Inventory First step toward improved coordination of monitoring in the Great Lakes

5. UPDATES Recent IT upgrade Redesigned database Minor bug fixes Added editing functionality Imported GLC, LEMN, & NWRI records

21. NEXT STEPS Minor enhancements Contact contributors for updates Enhance reporting Collaboration with IJC Phase II of BEC IM strategy Moving beyond “program descriptions”