2012 Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement

Protocol Amending the Agreement Between Canada andthe United States of America on Great Lakes Water Quality, 1978, as Amended on October 16, 1983 and on November 18, 1987

The Great Lakes Water Quality Protocol of 2012 will enter into force upon completion of all the respective domestic procedures of each Party required for entry into force.

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The Government of Canada and the Government of the United States of America (the “Parties”),

Recognizing that the Agreement between Canada and the United States of America on Great Lakes Water Quality,1978,done at Ottawa on 22 November 1978, as amended on October 16, 1983 and on November 18, 1987 (the “1978 Agreement”)and its predecessor, the Agreement between Canada and the United States of America on Great Lakes Water Quality, done at Ottawa on 15 April 1972, provide a vital framework for binational consultation and cooperative action to restore, protect and enhance the water quality of the Great Lakes to promote the ecological health of the Great Lakes basin;

Reaffirming their commitment to achieve the goals and objectives of the 1978 Agreement, as amended on 16 October, 1983 and 18 November, 1987, as well as those of its 1972 predecessor agreement;

Recognizing the need to update and strengthen the 1978 Agreement to address current impacts on the quality of the Waters of the Great Lakes, and anticipate and prevent emerging threats to the quality of the Waters of the Great Lakes,

Have agreed as follows:

Article 1

This Protocol shall be referred to as the Great Lakes Water Quality Protocol of 2012.

Article 2

The title, preamble, article and annexes of the 1978 Agreement are amended to read as set forth in the Appendix to this Protocol.

Article 3

This Protocol shall enter into force on the date of the last notification in an Exchange of Notes by the Parties indicating that each Party has completed its domestic processes for approval.

In witness whereof, the undersigned, being duly authorized by their respective Governments, have signed this Protocol.

Done at _________ , this _________ day of _________ 2012, in duplicate in the English and French languages, each text being equally authentic.

For the Government of Canada

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For the Government of the United States of America

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