Scientific Issues in Relation to Lakewide Management Plans: Linking Science and Policy

Environmental health researchers and administrators around the world look to the successful work on the Great Lakes as an example of what can be done when national governments intervene to implement programs to control pollution, particularly by persistent toxic substances. In terms of the science, the investigations into the effects on human health from consumption of contaminated Great Lakes fish have warned of the necessity for public health interventions. The signing of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement by the United States and Canadian governments and the use of the International Joint Commission to aid in the implementation of the agreement have been the hallmark of progress in terms of institutional arrangements. One of the requirements in the agreement is for the governments to prepare lakewide management plans