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As Seaway Turns 50, it's Time for a Reality Check

As the Seaway celebrates its 50th year of operation, officials are painting the operation as lean and green. The reality, however, is a different story. Great Lakes United, Save the River, and National Wildlife Federation are peaking behind the curtain, exposing a history mired by environmental damage and a failure to meet economic expectations.

With the climate change risking to further unbalance the regions ecosystem and lower Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River water levels, the Seaway is going to be forced to rethink how they operate in the next 50 years, let alone live up to the green claims.

Press Announcement

As Seaway Turns 50, it’s Time for a Reality Check

(Buffalo & Ottawa - March 30, 2009) As the St. Lawrence Seaway prepares to open, marking its 50th anniversary, conservation groups are shining a light on the maritime corridor’s damaging environmental legacy. The groups are calling for policy and operational changes that address decades of environmental and economic damage caused by the operation of the Seaway. Additionally, the navigation industry must prepare for future challenges associated with the impacts of climate change.

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50 Years of the Seaway - Case Studies and Expert Contacts

Climate change impacts to the Great Lakes

Commercial shipping challenged by reduced water depths due to climate change

Invasive species transported to the Great Lakes via international ballast

Ballast mediated invaders spread throughout the St. Lawrence and Rideau Rivers

Boaters and anglers battle spread of invaders across inland Ontario

Historic practice of dry cargo dumping under scrutiny

Ice breaking on the St. Lawrence River

Background Information

Reality Check - Explore some of the claims the Seaway has made, followed by the environmental and economic reality of Great Lakes shipping.

50 Years of Shipping News - A snap-shot compliation of clippings from news outlets covering the Seaway for the past 50 years.