ONTARIO GREAT-LAKES SHORELINE MANAGEMENT - AN UPDATE

The growth of international experience with integrated coastal zone ma nagement (ICZM) since the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in 1992 provides an opportunity to apply new concepts to assist a variety of coastal regions facing similar management concerns and issues. Significant political and social changes within the provi nce of Ontario in Canada are resulting in important and fundamental im pacts on existing Great Lakes shoreline management policies and progra ms. Reforms to the Planning Act alter the role of the provincial gover nment in land use planning and place increased responsibilities with l ocal municipalities. Funding cutback and program reductions have remov ed staff and support from the Great Lakes Shoreline Management Program , endangering ifs very future. Recent management initiatives by the To ronto Waterfront Regeneration Trust suggest the potential for the appl ication of concepts and principles from ICZM on the Great Lakes. There is a need for improved leadership and direction by all levels of gove rnment, as well as by communities and citizens, in efforts to incorpor ate concepts and experience from current initiatives in ICZM. This wil l allow for the development of a stronger more effective, and more eff icient approach for Great Lakes shoreline management in Ontario based on concepts and practices related to ICZM.