QUANTIFYING TARGETS FOR REHABILITATING DEGRADED AREAS OF THE GREAT-LAKES

One attempt to quantify targets for rehabilitating degraded aquatic ec osystems has been through a United States-Canada program to develop an d implement comprehensive remedial action plans (RAPs) to restore bene ficial uses in 42 Great Lakes Areas of Concern. The International Join t Commission has facilitated agreement on listing/delisting guidelines for determining when use impairments exist in areas or concern and wh en uses have been restored, while federal/state/provincial governments and local stakeholders have provided leadership in establishing quant itative targets for restoring uses and in determining how to achieve t hem. The listing/delisting guidelines have been instrumental in helpin g reach agreement an problem definition (lack of agreement on problem definition has historically been used as a reason to delay action) and teaching agreement on quantitative targets for restoring uses. Quanti tative, ecosystem-based targets are being used to drive the RAP proces s, help organizations pursue a common mission of restoring uses, and h elp achieve greater accountability. As a priority, the target-setting process must also recognize the importance of establishing both short- and long-term milestones in order to measure and celebrate incrementa l progress in restoring uses.