GLIN==> Public Hearings Set on Corps' Great Lakes Navigation Plans

[Jennifer Nalbone <jen@glu.org>]

Dear friends,

The future of the Great Lakes is at a crossroads. The U.S. Congress has 
asked the U.S. Corps of Engineers to study future navigation options along 
the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River -- a move that could threaten the 
health of the St. Lawrence River and Great Lakes. The Corps' are partnering 
with Transport Canada to lead a binational 30-month study on the navigation 
system at its current size. Subsequent study phases will likely follow, 
with unknown study parameters.

Thankfully, those who care about protecting the Great Lakes from the influx 
of aquatic invasive species, lowered water levels and habitat degradation 
have an opportunity to attend an important public meeting to address 
navigation issues in Montreal, Quebec (June 3); St. Catharines Ontario 
(June 8); Duluth, MN, (June 15); Clayton, NY (July 6); and Chicago (July 
14). At the bottom of this email are location details.

Transport Canada and the Corps' need to hear:

-Seaway expansion should be off the table, not just for this short study 
phase, but permanently.

- All plans and studies of Great Lakes navigation should require fixing 
current problems caused by commercial navigation (invasive species, habitat 
destruction, water levels), not making them worse.

- We need a commercial navigation system that requires ships and shippers 
to operate within the physical and ecological limits of the Great Lakes and 
St. Lawrence River, rather than replumbing the Lakes and River to fit the 
desires of shippers.

It is important for you to voice concerns with any future plans to expand 
commercial navigation by dredging deeper channels for larger ocean-going 
ships to gain access to the Great Lakes. It is important for you to explain 
how commercial shipping has personally changed your use and enjoyment of 
the Great Lakes, as well as the biodiversity and ecological health of the 
Lakes. And it is important that you explain your ideas for a future 
navigation system that requires ships and shippers to operate and fit 
compatibly within the physical and ecological limits of the Great Lakes and 
St. Lawrence River.

Don't miss out on this important opportunity to protect the Great Lakes! 
The meetings will start at 9AM, except in Clayton, where it will start at 
6PM. To make sure you have a guaranteed time to read your statement, please 
register in advance. Non-registered participants can present their 
statements after registered participants. For the U.S. meetings, register 
with the Great Lakes Commission at (734) 971-9135 or email dknight@glc.org. 
For the Canadian meetings, register with the SODES by calling Marc Gagnon 
at (415) 648-4572 or email: MarcG@portquebec.ca.

For a background document entitled “”Great Lakes – St. Lawrence Seaway 
Study” and more information on the meetings visit: http://www.glsls-study.com/

Please feel free to contact me with questions, or if you need more 
information. Thank you for your efforts.

Jen Nalbone, Great Lakes United

June 3rd:
Diplomate Room
Holiday Inn Montreal Midtown
420 Sherbrooke Street West
Montreal, Quebec H3A 1B4
Toll free: (800) 387-3042
Tel: (514) 842-6111

June 8 th:
Concord B Room
Quality Hotel Parkway Convention Centre
327 Ontario St.
St. Catharines, Ontario L2R 5L3
Toll free: (877) 688-2324
Tel: (905) 688-2324

June 15th:
Gitchee Gumee Conference Center
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
6201 Congdon Blvd
Duluth, Minnesota 55804
Tel contact, Great Lakes Commission: (734) 971-9135

July 6th:
Clayton Opera House
403 Riverside Drive
Clayton, New York 13624
Tel contact, Great Lakes Commission: (734) 971-9135

July 14:
French Room
Union League Club of Chicago
65 West Jackson Boulevard
Chicago, Illinois 60604
Tel contact, Great Lakes Commission: (734) 971-9135





Jennifer Nalbone
Habitat and Biodiversity Coordinator
Great Lakes United
1300 Elmwood Avenue
Cassety Hall- Buffalo State College
Buffalo, NY 14222

ph: (716) 886-0142  fax:-0303









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