GLIN==> RELEASE: Future of St. Lawrence Seaway Hinges on Sustainability

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media release

June 25, 2009

 

Future of St. Lawrence Seaway Hinges on Sustainability

As the Seaway marks its 50th anniversary, groups are outlining seven
principles to improve its environmental stewardship

 

(Buffalo, NY) - To mark the 50th anniversary of the opening of the St.
Lawrence Seaway, over 50 public interest groups from across the region are
outlining seven principles to guide an environmentally sustainable future
for shipping on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River. 

 

"The opening of the Seaway took a devastating toll on the health of the
Great Lakes ecosystem," said Jennifer Nalbone, director of Navigation and
Invasive Species at Great Lakes United and lead author of the report. "If
the shipping industry wants to be truly sustainable it needs to rethink how
it operates on the Great Lakes. These seven principles provide the goal
posts by which to measure that future."

 

Outlined in "A Better Seaway: Seven Principles to Guide Sustainable Shipping
on The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River", the principles address a broad range
of environmental impacts, from invasive species to ice-breaking, to air
emissions. While international vessels have been a focal point for many of
the environmental impacts associated with shipping on the Great Lakes,
particularly invasive species, the principles also address domestic
operations. The principles to guide a better Seaway are:

 

1.	Ships must not introduce or spread aquatic invasive species. 
2.	Climate change is a real threat, and proactive steps must be taken
to meet this challenge head on. 
3.	Unnecessary and costly system expansion proposals must be abandoned.

4.	Air emissions should be cleaned up for shipping to truly be the
cleanest mode of transportation in regards to air pollution. 
5.	Work towards the elimination of all pollutants into the Great Lakes.

6.	Minimize ice-breaking, especially in sensitive areas. 
7.	Citizen engagement and industry transparency should become the norm
in Seaway governance. 

 

Since the Seaway opened on June 26th,1959, the environmental and economic
damage brought on by opening the Great Lakes to international ships has been
significant. Construction of the Seaway itself resulted in irreversible
environmental loss as new channels were dug in the riverbed, shallow
sections were flooded, islands blasted away, six villages displaced and a
series of locks constructed. International ships have become the primary
source of new non-native aquatic invasive species such as the zebra and
quagga mussels. Invaders like these have caused tremendous damage to Great
Lakes ecosystem. The University of Notre Dame estimates that the species
that gained access to the region through the Seaway cost citizens,
businesses, and cities in the eight Great Lakes states alone at least $200
million per year in damage to the commercial and recreational fishery,
wildlife watching and water infrastructure. While exact economic data does
not exist for the Great Lakes region in Canada, similar damages can be
expected.

 

"The damage invasive species have caused to the Great Lakes is astounding.
But, what's most frustrating is that we still haven't closed this door."
said Dennis Schornack, former U.S. Chair of the International Joint
Commission.

 

"The shipping industry has the potential to become the most sustainable form
of commercial transportation in the region," continues Schornack. "The
'Seaway Sustainable Development Corporation' is a moniker made possible if
the industry and governments of the United States and Canada embrace these
seven common sense principles."

 

"The shipping industry must remember they are one of many who use and enjoy
these waters, and its time to join the movement to protect the Great Lakes
for generations to come." concluded Nalbone.

 

To Endorse these Principles:

More organizations are endorsing the principles every day. To sign up yours
go to www.abetterseaway.com <http://www.abetterseaway.com/> . Citizens are
also invited to sign a petition supporting these principles.

 

For more information:

More information about these principles, including background information,
is available at the campaign website, www.abetterseaway.com
<http://www.abetterseaway.com/> .

 

Contacts:

Jennifer Nalbone

Campaign Director, Navigation and Invasive Species

Great Lakes United

716-213-0408

 

Dennis Schornack

Former U.S. Chair of the International Joint Commission

517-488-8899

 

###

 

 

 

____________________________________

Brent Gibson

Director, Communications

Great Lakes United

(613) 867-9861

 <mailto:bgibson at glu.org> bgibson at glu.org |  <http://www.glu.org/>
www.glu.org

 

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