A Look Back and a Look Forward: The International Joint Commission’s Science Advisory Board

Session: 23. - The IJC's Science Advisory Board Review of Current Priorities and Projects

Michael Donahue, AECOM, [email protected]

Abstract
Since its formation under the terms of the 1972 Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, the Science Advisory Board (SAB) has provided the International Joint Commission (IJC), as well as its Water Quality Board, with science-based advice on critical, water quality-related issues affecting the shared waters of the binational Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin. In the ensuing decades, SAB reports and recommendations have helped shape the priorities and programs of the IJC and the two governments. Over that period, the SAB membership, procedures and areas of emphasis have evolved to address the highly dynamic nature of ecological conditions, as well as the programs, policies and priorities of the governments. This presentation will feature a retrospective examination of SAB activities based upon the presenter’s 19 years’ of service (1991-2010) as the US co-chair and observation and communication with other past and current SAB Co-chairs. It will offer “lessons learned”, along with their prospective future implication as the SAB continues to serve the binational region with distinction. Topics such as SAB structure, function, focus, impact and prospective new initiatives will be addressed in the context of past practices and future applications.

1. Keyword
management

2. Keyword
assessments

3. Keyword
ecosystem health