To cope with climate change and variability, this Technical Working Group (TWG) is developing an Adaptive Management Strategy that includes a structured, iterative process for reducing uncertainty through long-term monitoring, modelling and assessment. The strategy has two key goals to help inform decision-making:

1. to adapt regulation rules in the future as conditions change; and,
2. to provide information on climate changes and water levels so that affected interests could adapt their practices and policies.

Most importantly, the TWG is identifying critical thresholds and system vulnerabilities in order to define coping zones (A=preferred/acceptable zone, B=difficult but can be coped with under current management regimes, C=management would have to be adapted to avoid serious negative consequences) for affected interests and by location. This critical information will help determine when to alter water regulation rules.

Canada		USA
Wendy Leger Co-lead Water Resources Project Coordinator Boundary Waters Issues Environment Canada 867 Lakeshore Rd. Burlington, ON L7R 4A6 Email: Wendy.Leger@ec.gc.ca		Jennifer Read Executive Director, Great Lakes Observing System 229 Nickels Arcade Ann Arbor, MI 48104 Voice 734.332.6101 Fax 734.332.6120 Email: jread@glos.us