- Principles for a Sustainable Seaway
- Ships must not introduce or spread aquatic invasive species
- Climate change is a real threat, and proactive steps must be taken to meet this challenge head on.
- Unnecessary and costly system expansion proposals must be abandoned
- Air emissions should be cleaned up for shipping to truly be the cleanest mode of transportation in regards to air pollution
- Work towards the elimination of all pollutants into the Great Lakes
- Minimize ice-breaking, especially in sensitive areas
- Citizen engagement and industry transparency should become the norm in Seaway governance
- Resources
- Seaway History
- Supporters
Resources
History
Seaway History - Learn about the Great Lakes St. Lawrence River Seaway System on the Seaway's website.
Economics and the Industry
Reality Check - Explore some of the claims the Seaway has made, followed by the environmental and economic reality of Great Lakes shipping. Produced by Great Lakes United and Save the River.
50 Years of Shipping News - A snap-shot compliation of clippings from news outlets covering the Seaway for the past 50 years. Produced by Great Lakes United and Save the River.
Green Marine Initiative - A voluntary program for sectors of the Great Lakes shipping industry to commit to a process of continuous environmental improvement. The program's environmental benchmarks are meaningful.
Ocean Shipping In the Great Lakes - Phase I - My John C Taylor and James L Roach, this report investigated the transportation cost of stopping ocean-vessels from entering the Great Lakes. It would cost $55 million a year.
Ocean Shipping In the Great Lakes - Phase II
An update to the first phase of John C Taylor and James L Roach's report, it finds that a cessation of ocean-vessel access to the Great Lakes would create over 1,300 jobs in the United States and Canada and have little impact on air quality or highway congestion.
Invasive Species
Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database. USGS. 2009. Gainesville, FL.
Annual Losses to Great Lakes Region by Ship-borne Invasive Species at least $200 Million. David Lodge and David Finnoff. July 2008.
Backgrounder: Ocean Shipping on the Great Lakes (includes list of invaders to Great Lakes). Great Lakes United, 2008.
Timeline of Ballast Management Policy in the Great Lakes. Great Lakes United, 2008.
Zebra Mussel Invasion: Unheeded Alarms
Map of Zebra Mussel Spread in Ontario
Map of Zebra Mussel Spread in the United States
The Seaway System
The St. Lawrence Seaway Traffic Reports (2000-2008)
Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Study. Transport Canada et al. Fall 2007.
Climate Change Impacts
"Global Climate Change and Great Lakes International Shipping." Dr. Frank Millerd, Wilfrid Laurier University, National Academy of Sciences Transportation Research Board Special Report 291, May 2007.
Confronting Climate Change in the Great Lakes Region, by George W. Kling et al, Union of Concerned Scientists 2003.
Air Emissions
"Thousands of Lives to be Saved each Year Under the New Pollution Accord." Clean Air Task Force, David Marshall, October 9, 2008
Ice-Breaking
Save The River Policy Statement on Opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway Shipping Season, March 2007
Add your voice
Ensure that shipping on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River are sustainable by supporting these principles. If you are an individual you can sign this petition.
Organizations can also show their support by endorsing these principles. Show your support for a Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River protection and endorse these principles today!
Download the report
Download the report (pdf)
These principles were developed by Great Lakes United.
For over 25 years, we have been a unifying voice for ensuring a healthy and vibrant future for the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River ecosystem. As a coalition, we work to clean up toxic pollution, stop invasive species, and protect the waters of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River from damage and irresponsible use.
For more information visit www.glu.org.