Engaging Lake Erie Stakeholders through Science

Session: Beyond Peer Review: Why You Must Connect Your Science to Stakeholders (and how to do it) (3)

Santina Wortman, U.S. EPA GLNPO, [email protected]
Sandra George, Environment and Climate Change Canada, [email protected]

Abstract
Under the Nutrients Annex of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, Canada and the United States recently adopted new phosphorus load reduction targets in order to reduce algae blooms and hypoxia in Lake Erie. Achieving these targets will require long term cooperation among a broad variety of stakeholders including agricultural, conservation and non-government organizations, and municipalities working together to implement and track progress towards phosphorus reduction strategies. Each stakeholder brings to the process their own understanding and perspectives of the issues. This presentation, given by representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Environment Canada, will focus on commonalities and differences in the communication strategies and stakeholder engagement efforts in Canada and the United States. Being able to effectively share and communicate the science between stakeholders has been essential to achieving the support required for the implementation of on-the-ground phosphorus reduction actions in Lake Erie.