The following operating principles will guide GLRI planning and implementation under GLRI Action Plan IV.
Accountability and Reporting
The GLRI agencies will continue to track the progress and results from GLRI and continue to report on GLRI progress through the annual Report to Congress required under Clean Water Act Section 118. Annual reports and other documents that describe GLRI reporting methodology are at the Documents page. The agencies will also continue to report Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement activities through the triennial Progress Reports of the Parties, as well as the overall health of the Great Lakes ecosystem through the triennial State of the Great Lakes reports.
Communication and Outreach
The GLRI agencies will continue to update publicly available online information about GLRI and will seek new ways to communicate about the program and status of ongoing work. The agencies will continue to communicate scientific findings broadly to help inform and prioritize future work.
Engagement
The GLRI agencies will prioritize meaningful outreach and engagement with and involvement from all communities, especially disadvantaged and other communities with environmental justice concerns, as part of project planning and implementation. Partnerships (see below) will be used as a tool to improve engagement.
Environmental Justice
The GLRI agencies will advance environmental justice so that all communities, including disadvantaged and other communities with environmental justice concerns, can equitably benefit from the GLRI (see Environmental Justice).
Partnerships
The GLRI agencies will continue to draw from clearly communicated priorities and actions identified in Lakewide Action and Management Plans and Biodiversity Conservation Strategies by Lake Partnerships and other Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement activities to influence annual planning and project selection. In selecting the best combination of programs and projects, GLRI agencies will continue to consult with the Great Lakes states, Tribes and Indian Nations. The GLRI agencies will also continue to work with Tribal governments in the spirit of self-determination and consistent with federal Indian trust responsibilities to support Tribal priorities that are consistent with GLRI goals and objectives (see Tribal Programs).
Climate-Resilient and Sustainable Projects
The GLRI agencies will continue to encourage project plans and designs that are resilient to climate change and other stressors (see Adaptation Planning). GLRI agencies will also encourage project stewardship to promote the sustainability and long-term benefits of projects.
Science-Based Adaptive Management
The GLRI agencies will continue to support and enhance science-based adaptive management, including the Cooperative Science and Monitoring Initiative. The GLRI agencies will use a structured management approach for addressing environmental uncertainties by testing hypotheses, linking science to decision-making and adjusting project implementation, as necessary, to improve the probability of success. GLRI agencies will use this flexible approach to monitor project effectiveness and inform future restoration actions using the best available science and Indigenous Knowledge in decision-making.
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