Freshwater Oil Spills: A Critical Issue for the Great Lakes Region

Overview

The upcoming "Oil Spill Science in the Great Lakes: One Water, Many Perspectives" session at the IAGLR 67th Annual Conference is pivotal for addressing freshwater oil spills. Bringing together experts, managers, industry, and educators, it aims to advance our understanding and readiness. As Kelsey Prihoda noted, this gathering is crucial due to the small network focused on freshwater spills, highlighting its significance for sharing knowledge and fostering collaboration. Supported by HazMaTON and the Great Lakes Sea Grant programs, it underscores commitments to safety, stability, and environmental stewardship. Continued research investment is essential for mitigating risks in freshwater environments. Insights from the conference will shape future policies, ensuring protection for the Great Lakes. This Windsor, Ontario event offers a vital platform for stakeholders dedicated to freshwater oil-spill science and management.

Spotlight on Freshwater Oil-Spill Science

The upcoming "Oil Spill Science in the Great Lakes: One Water, Many Perspectives" session at the International Association for Great Lakes Research (IAGLR) 67th Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research is set to bring much-needed attention to this issue. Scheduled for May 20-24, 2024, in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, this session will gather experts and stakeholders interested in freshwater oil-spill science.

Kelsey Prihoda, Sea Grant Great Lakes transportation extension educator, Hazardous Materials Transport Outreach Network (HazMaTON) lead, and IAGLR session co-chair, emphasized the importance of this session. "There is significantly less freshwater oil-spill science as compared to marine oil-spill science," Prihoda stated. "The network of people who work on freshwater oil spills is small, so this session is an important opportunity for us to share information and identify research needs."

A Collaborative Effort

The session aims to cultivate collaboration among a diverse spectrum of stakeholders including natural resource managers, energy industry representatives, scientists, and outreach educators. It serves as a pivotal platform where participants can not only gain insights into current research efforts but also exchange valuable data and pinpoint critical gaps that require further investigation. By facilitating dialogue and interaction among these key groups, the session endeavors to bolster oil-spill response capabilities and elevate preparedness levels throughout the Great Lakes region. This collaborative approach is essential for fostering proactive measures that safeguard the environmental integrity and sustainability of these interconnected ecosystems.

HazMaTON: A Collaborative Network

HazMaTON, the Hazardous Materials Transport Outreach Network, plays a crucial role in addressing the risks associated with oil and hazardous material transportation. This collaborative consists of specialists from the Great Lakes, Lake Champlain, Hudson River, and St. Lawrence River regions. Supported by the eight Great Lakes Sea Grant programs, HazMaTON focuses on disseminating accurate, neutral, and data-driven information through education, outreach, and relationship building.

​HazMaTON's mission is to improve public safety, bolster the region’s economy, and ensure the environmental stewardship of vital water resources. By working together, the network aims to reduce risks and enhance the collective response to freshwater oil spills and other hazardous material incidents.

Looking Ahead

As the date of the "Oil Spill Science in the Great Lakes" session draws near, anticipation grows for an event poised to propel our comprehension and management strategies regarding freshwater oil spills. This conference serves as a pivotal platform, spotlighting the pressing demand for increased research in this field. Moreover, it aims to foster stronger collaborative initiatives that are indispensable for safeguarding the Great Lakes and their interconnected ecosystems, ensuring their long-term health and resilience.

Source: source: https://seagrant.umn.edu/articles/2024-iaglr-gl-ready-oil-spil