GLIN==> RELEASE: Sault Ste. Marie Welcomes Tall Ships to Lake Superior

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Press Release

July 22, 2010

*Great Lakes United *** Lake Superior Binational Forum*

*City of Sault Ste. Marie ** Tourism Sault Ste. Marie*

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*Sault Ste. Marie Welcomes Tall Ships to Lake Superior*

/As Tall Ships sail into the Soo, Lake Superior issues take center stage/

/ /

SAULT STE. MARIE, ON -- As the Great Lakes United TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE 
2010 makes its way to the western reaches of the Great Lakes, the fleet 
was officially welcomed to Lake Superior this morning by the Lake 
Superior Binational Forum, Great Lakes United, and the City of Sault 
Ste. Marie, Ontario.

Representing the fleet were the HMS Bounty and Pride of Baltmore II, who 
accepted flags from the co-chairs of Lake Superior Binational Forum and 
the mayor of Sault Ste. Marie. The stop in Sault Ste. Marie is a layover 
as the ships take part in the race to protect the lakes, drawing 
attention to challenges facing the Great Lakes and what can be done to 
heal them.

"These tall ships bring with them a great history that showcases the 
precious connection between our water our lives, and the need to protect 
these lakes," said John Jackson, Program Director of Great Lakes United. 
"At times like this, when many different forces threaten the stability 
of the Great Lakes, recognizing this relationship is vital. Lake 
Superior is one of the world's most important sources of fresh water, 
and we must remain vigilant in protecting it."

"Lake Superior alone holds more water than the other four Great Lakes 
combined and is critical to the health of many millions of people, not 
to mention the extensive ecosystem supported by it," said Bruce 
Lindgren, United States co-chair of the Lake Superior Binational Forum. 
His Canadian counterpart, Glen Dale, continued, "The effort to protect 
and restore Lake Superior is ongoing, and we are delighted to have the 
tall ships here to help us raise awareness about these issues."

The HMS Bounty and the Pride of Baltimore II will be moored at the 
Roberta Bondar Marina and open to the public for viewing throughout the 
day. In addition to the ships, Great Lakes United and others will be 
providing information on how local residents can get involved in the 
movement to protect the lakes from invasive species like the Asian carp, 
and about environmental initiatives taking place in and around the city.

*"I am very pleased to welcome the Tall Ships Challenge to Sault Ste. 
Marie," said Mayor John Rowswell of Sault Ste. Marie. "As a member of 
the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, protecting the Great 
Lakes is our No. 1 priority. We, in Sault Ste. Marie, are proud to be 
part of water protection now and in the future."*

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Sault Ste. Marie is a secondary port in the Great Lakes United TALL 
SHIPS CHALLENGE® 2010. Their next major stop is Duluth, Minnesota on 
July 29^th . As the vessels race from port to port, they will help carry 
a message of water conservation and preservation to the millions of 
people who will travel to see the tall ships.

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"Tourism Sault Ste. Marie was very interested in becoming a partner in 
this special event because this 'Race to Save the Lakes' not only puts a 
focus on how important the Great Lakes are to our very livelihood, but 
from a tourism perspective these lakes---especially Lake Superior---are 
a major reason why tourists from around the world come to visit us," 
said Ian McMillan, Executive Director of Tourism Sault Ste. Marie. "They 
provide the perfect backdrop for world-class outdoor recreation, and we 
need to be proactive in our efforts to protect this rich resource."

As part of Great Lakes United's exhibit, two mounted Asian carp will be 
on display, as well as other samples of invasive species. They will be 
encouraging citizens to sign a petition to Prime Minister Harper and 
postcards to President Obama demanding that the Great Lakes basin be 
physically separated from the Mississippi basin, as it is the entry 
point the carp will use to enter the Great Lakes.

/The fleet of visiting ships will be open for dockside deck tours 
throughout the afternoon at the Roberta Bondar Marina.  For more 
information on the Tall Ships festivals can be obtained at 
www.glu.org/tallships <http://www.glu.org/tallships>. /

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*Contacts:*

Brent Gibson

Great Lakes United

613-482-1324 x509

bgibson at glu.org

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