Lake Superior Binational Program

Because of its uniqueness, the International Joint Commission recommended in 1990 that Lake Superior be designated as a demonstration area where discharges and emissions of toxic substances that are long-lived in the environment and build up in the bodies of humans and wildlife, would not be permitted. In response, the governments of Canada and the United States (together with Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan and Ontario), entered into an agreement to create the "Binational Program to Restore and Protect the Lake Superior Basin." Wisconsin has taken a leadership role in protection and restoration of Lake Superior through the Binational Program.

Zero Discharge Demonstration Program

The Binational Program includes a zero discharge demonstration program for nine toxic chemicals, plus broader initiatives such as habitat protection. Since 1991 when the program was initiated, government agencies and citizens around Lake Superior have worked to set goals and objectives for the Lake Superior basin ecosystem. Many organizations have begun innovative projects to reduce toxic pollutants and to restore habitat.

The zero discharge demonstration program targets nine pollutants that are particularly toxic, accumulate in the food chain, and persist in the environment. They are:

• Mercury
• Dieldrin
• 2,3,7,8-TCDD (dioxin)
• PCBs
• Toxaphene
• DDT and metabolites
• Chlordane
• Hexachlorobenzene
• Octachlorostyrene

Some of these pollutants are responsible for fish consumption advisories in Lake Superior. The goal is to prevent these chemicals from entering the environment. The most effective way to do this is to focus on prevention rather than pollution control at the end of the pipe or stack. If these chemicals and their precursors are not used in processes or products, they cannot be released into the environment. The idea is to eliminate causes of pollution rather than treating the symptoms (i.e., shift from control to prevention). Pollution prevention can lead to lower production costs, increased efficiencies and better protection of the environment.

Other Issues of Concern to the Binational Program

Other pollutants are causing problems in Lake Superior, but are not included in the zero discharge demonstration program. Some are found in contaminated sediment in harbors and bays. Stormwater is an important source for some metals and other pollutants. However, toxic substances are not the only concern for Lake Superior. Exotic species, habitat preservation, cumulative effects from development, land use practices, and sustainable development are all issues of concern to the Binational Program. Some of the objectives of the program are summarized below.

• Lake Superior should sustain diverse healthy reproducing aquatic communities free from chemical contaminants from human activities.
• Introduction of new exotic or nuisance species should be prevented.
• The Lake Superior ecosystem should support a diverse, healthy, reproducing and self-regulating wildlife community closely representative of historical conditions.
• Wildlife should be free from chemical contaminants from human activities.
• Nearshore, shoreline and wetland aquatic habitats are crucially important for the Lake Superior ecosystem. Key sites should be identified, protected and restored. These key sites support reproduction and rearing of fish, water birds, mammals, other wildlife, and plants.
• Land use and water use decisions and planning should consider and protect against long-term and incremental landscape change, habitat destruction and fragmentation.
• Land use planning and regulation should minimize or avoid destruction impacts to Lake Superior tributaries.
• Fish and wildlife should be safe to eat; consumption should not be limited by contaminants from human activity.
• Water should be safe to drink and safe for total body contact activities.
• Human use of the Lake Superior basin natural resources should not deny current and future generations the benefits of a healthy, natural Lake Superior ecosystem.
• The Lake Superior ecosystem provides resources and services to humans that should be valued as environmental capital, in the same way that other capital is assigned value.

The above objectives will be implemented in specific strategies and actions in the Lakewide Management Plan (LaMP) for Lake Superior.

For more information on the Binational Program see the links provided below: