Keeping Remedial Action Plans On Target: Lessons Learned from Collingwood Harbour

Remedial Action Plans (RAPs) are being developed and implemented at Areas of Concern (43, now 41). The Areas of Concern are locations throughout the Great Lakes basin ecosystem where environmental quality is particularly compromised. According to the United States and Canada Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement of 1987, RAPs are to embody a systematic and comprehensive ecosystem approach to restoring and protecting beneficial uses (the ability of fish, wildlife, and humans to thrive) in the Areas of Concern. The Agreement calls for the federal governments, in cooperation with state and provincial governments, to ensure the public is consulted throughout the development and implementation of the RAPs. Downsizing at all levels of government in the mid-1990s has created significant problems in sustaining the momentum for clean up. Community-based actions may be proceeding, but costly clean up efforts remain. Despite these organizational and fiscal resource hurdles, several RAPs are being applied and, as a result, there are notable advances in remediation and prevention programs. Essential elements that characterize successful initiatives include true participatory decision making, a clearly articulated and shared vision, and focused and deliberate leadership.