The historic Cleveland Harbor Coast Guard Station on Lake Erie

The people of Northeast Ohio are
fortunate to have one of the world's greatest bodies of freshwater at
our doorstep. Cleveland, being the largest metropolis on Lake Erie,
needs to leverage this great asset and realize its potential to make
Northeast Ohio a world contender. The citizens, organizations, and
public officials have begun the collaboration needed to make it
happen. The only way we can keep the momentum going to restore our
Great Lakes is to get involved and “be part of it.”

Speaking about being part of it, four
local heroes are being honored this month in Columbus at the
prestigious Ohio Environmental Council's - Annual Environmental
Achievement Awards. The Public Servant Award goes to
Commissioner Jimmy Dimora, Tim McCormack and Paul Alsenas for their
historic effort to acquire the precious Whiskey Island property for
the people of Cuyahoga County and Ohio. The Lifetime Achievemnet
Award goes to Elaine Marsh, “the Mouth of the Cuyahoga,” for her
being an unsinkable advocate for our American Heritage River- the
Cuyahoga and our Great Lake Erie.

Last Thursday, about thirty people were
part of the International Joint Committee's (US and Canada) public
hearing in Cleveland to gather comments on the Great Lakes Water
Quality Agreement. The last time this international agreement
was modified was 1987. Nine of the attendees shared their comments
that were added to the public record. There is still time to be part
of it by submitting your comments for the Great Lakes Water
Quality Agreement.

It's up to you to get involved and be
part of the many initiatives, plans and meetings that affect our
quality of life on the Great Lakes. With so much going on, it's
difficult for average citizens to keep up with all the public
involvement processes and participate in the discussions about
our world renowned treasure. But you care about the future of our Great Lakes - now is the time to participate. Stay tuned - more to come!

Get involved in some of the initiatives
and meetings listed below:

OHIO

Public Comments Sought on Draft Coastal
and Estuarine Land Conservation Program Plan

11/18/05 from 10 a.m. - noon

Cleveland Metroparks CanalWay Center - 4542 East 49th Street –
Cuyahoga Heights, OH

For more info visit: ODNR

Future of Ohio's Lake Erie Basin:
Balancing Land Use and Water Quality

12/01/05 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Lorain County Community College - Elyria, OH

For more info
visit: Ohio Lake Erie Commission

FEDERAL

Great Lakes Regional Collaborative

INTERNATIONAL

Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement