U.S. EPA: State of the Great Lakes Report 2022

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Fifty years ago, the United States and Canada first signed the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, a commitment to work together to restore and protect our shared and increasingly precious resource. Since 1972, the Agreement continues to be a catalyst for strong regional partnerships and innovative approaches to environmental actions.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency and Environment and Climate Change Canada recently published two reports required under the Agreement: the State of the Great Lakes 2022 Report and the 2022 Progress Report of the Parties.

“Over the past 50 years, the United States and Canada have made tremendous progress working together to protect the Great Lakes and support a thriving regional economy. Through our strong partnership with Canada and additional Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we remain committed to safeguarding this shared treasure for present and future generations,” said EPA Administrator Michael Regan.

“Protecting the Great Lakes can only be achieved by working together. With our American friends and neighbours, we have had incredible success in cleaning up the Great Lakes from pollutants, while reducing farm run-off and protecting species at risk. This was made possible by concerted action and advocacy, but much yet remains to be done. As we celebrate 50 years of environmental collaboration for our treasured Great Lakes, the released reports and upcoming Public Forum will help us engage communities and stakeholders on our future priorities,” said Stephen Guilbeault, Canadian Minister of Environment and Climate Change.

The SOGL report provides a summary of the health of the Great Lakes using indicators of ecosystem health, such as drinking water, fish consumption, and beach closures. Over 120 Great Lakes scientists and other experts worked to assemble available data and prepare Great Lakes assessments.

Access the State of the Great Lakes Report HERE.

The Progress Report of the Parties describes recent achievements in restoring and protecting Great Lakes water quality and ecosystem health.

Access the Progress Report of the Parties HERE.

Content from these two reports will be the focus of discussion at the 2022 Great Lakes Public Forum in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada from September 27 to 29, 2022. The Forum provides an opportunity for the public to provide feedback on the state of the lakes and progress made under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, as well as comment on future priorities for science and action.