The 2009-2010 program will be based on the National Resources positions of the LWVUS as they relate to the environmental issues affecting the Lake Michigan Basin and surrounding states, including:

• Education of the Public and the Lake Michigan Leagues on the Problems of Lake Michigan and the Great Lakes
• Encourage Public Participation in Planning for the Protection and Restoration of the Great Lakes
• Support Scientific Research for the Great Lakes
• Encourage Shoreline Management Planning and Implementation

Areas of Emphasis – which the Board will be prioritizing:

1. As a member of the Healing our Waters Coalition, we will work to implement Great Lakes Restoration bills as established at the Great Lakes Restoration Conference, 2009: restore water quality, prevent and control invasive species, clean up toxic pollution, mitigate the impacts of global warming on the Great Lakes.
2. We will work to implement the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration (GLRC) Protection and Restoration Strategy.
3. We will support efforts to reduce the use of pesticides and promote use of non-toxic alternatives.
4. We will advocate for water conservation and resource protection to complete the requirements of the Great Lakes Compact.
5. We will monitor the implementation of the Great Lakes Compact.
6. We will monitor the progress of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, with particular attention to pharmaceuticals in the water.
7. We will address permitted discharges into the Great Lakes with a goal to reducing the amount of pollutants so discharged.

For more information or a copy of the complete October 2009 LMLWV Newsletter Report, visit http://lakemichiganlwv.wordpress.com/.