Author: U S Government Accountability Office (G

Publisher: BiblioGov

Published: 2013-07

Total Pages: 158

ISBN-13: 9781289155032

GAO made a review to determine whether the United States is meeting the objectives of the U.S.-Canadian Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. GAO found that, although the Great Lakes are cleaner, the United States is finding it difficult to meet the objectives of the Agreement. U.S. efforts have been hampered by a lack of effective strategies for dealing with Great Lakes water quality problems, a lack of knowledge about the extent of pollution problems and the impact of control programs, and a need for improved management of the Great Lakes pollution cleanup activities. There have been unrealistic timetables for constructing facilities, problems in obtaining and using federal grant funds, a lack of local support for construction activities, and budget reductions. Information is lacking about the nature, extent, and source of toxic pollution. State and areawide plans to address pollution from agricultural, forestry, and urban runoff have not been comprehensive and may not be completed as federal funding has been cut off. Current water quality monitoring is not providing the data needed to address the pollution problems due to a lack of funds. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the principal U.S. agency for carrying out water quality activities and implementing the Agreement, has broad and complex responsibilities requiring cooperation with a variety of federal, state, and local agencies as well as with the International Joint Commission and Canadian environmental agencies. EPA has had difficulty obtaining this cooperation which is needed to ensure that the Great Lakes water quality program can compete with other national issues.