EPA finalizes plan for Great Lakes cleanup

Abstract

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Carol M. Browner has unveiled the final version of the agency's initiative for cleaning up pollution in the Great Lakes Basin. Browner says the final Great Lakes Water Quality Guidance issued last week is more flexible and cost-effective than the version proposed nearly two years ago (C&EN, April 12,1993, page 22). The ecosystemwide guidance is intended to remove toxic chemicals that have contaminated the Great Lakes Basin. The plan creates a consistent policy for the eight states that surround the lakes—Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. More than 40 million people live in the basin, and more than 23 million depend on the lakes for drinking water. One-quarter of U.S. industry is located in the basin. The proposed guidance drew comments from more than 6,000 individuals, companies, and organizations. Taking those comments into account, EPA has sharply reduced the cost of implementing the initiative from between ...