Have steps been taken to develop the information necessary to determine the schedule of load reductions of Critical Pollutants?
While significant data gaps related to loadings of Critical Pollutants exist, the efforts of the Lake Ontario Toxics Management Plan (LOTMP) and the Niagara River Toxics Management Plan (NRTMP) provide a substantial contribution toward the reduction of loadings of Critical Pollutants. For example, the NRTMP previously targeted the Critical Pollutants dioxin, mercury, mirex, and PCBs for 50 per cent reduction in loadings to the Niagara River. While the NRTMP has not provided a significant advantage to development and implementation of a load reduction schedule, it has proved to represent a step toward virtual elimination of these compounds. Actions taken under the LOTMP and the NRTMP will not only assist in development of the Stage 2 LaMP, but serve as an important step toward the virtual elimination of certain Critical Pollutants. Has an ecosystem approach been taken to the restoration and protection of beneficial uses? In setting out the General Principles, the Parties said that LaMPs
