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Pennsylvania

Regional goals for the Great Lakes

Through Blue Accounting, experts collaborate to track progress toward shared goals for key issues affecting the Great Lakes. Below is what we are currently tracking for Pennsylvania.

Goal
Progress
Reduce the amount of phosphorus entering the western and central basins of Lake Erie by 40 percent (from 2008 levels)
0
%

Pennsylvania is not required to reduce phosphorus by watershed

Prevent the introduction of new aquatic invasive species
%

Progress is reported by metric

Detect and respond to new introduction of aquatic invasive species
%

in development

Control established aquatic invasive species to reduce negative impacts
%

in development

Protect sources of drinking water
%

Progress will be reported by metric

Meet treatment requirements
%

Progress will be reported by metric

Distribute safe water
%

Progress will be reported by metric

Additional information about Pennsylvania

There are 77 miles of coastline along Lake Erie in Pennsylvania which are home to approximately 250,000 Pennsylvanians, 3,000 of which rely on the coastal region for jobs each year.

The Department of Environmental Protection’s Great Lakes Program is responsible for the coordination and implementation of the Commonwealth’s Great Lakes water quality and watershed-related initiatives, including commitments under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement and the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact and Agreement. This multi-disciplinary, multi-jurisdictional program interacts with Blue Accounting, the Great Lakes states, Canadian provinces, U.S and Canadian federal agencies, and federal/state governments to achieve protection of the largest surface freshwater system on Earth.

The Great Lakes Program facilitates monitoring of Lake Erie and its tributaries, and coordinates with other state, county, and local government entities, as well as non-governmental organizations, to develop policies and programs that reduce pollutants and support public health.

What we do

Blue Accounting is an information service to track the region’s progress toward shared goals for the Great Lakes. Maintained by the Great Lakes Commission, the information developed by Blue Accounting helps elected officials make sure that policies and programs are effective at protecting the largest fresh surface water system on earth.

What we measure

The Great Lakes Commission’s Blue Accounting team works with experts to identify goals and methods to track progress on key Great Lakes issues. Currently, Blue Accounting is tracking progress on protecting the region from aquatic invasive species and keeping phosphorus out of Lake Erie.