In the first three versions of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, the IJC reported every two years on progress by Canada and the United States to achieve the agreement's goals and objectives and provided advice and recommendations on any issue related to the quality of the Great Lakes ecosystem. The First Biennial Report on Great Lakes Water Quality was released in 1982 and the last, the 16th, in 2013.
The 2012 agreement extends the reporting period to every three years and expands the IJC’s assessment to include a review of progress reports required by the two countries in the same triennial cycle.
Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement Triennial Assessment of Progress Reports
The IJC consults with its Great Lakes Water Quality Board and Great Lakes Science Advisory Board, who complete research and provide findings via their own reports on a variety of issues facing the lakes, and provides:
- a summary of public input on the governments’ progress report, known as the Progress Report of the Parties
- an assessment of the extent to which programs and other measures are achieving the agreement’s general and specific objectives
- consideration of the governments’ most recent State of the Lakes report
- other advice and recommendations.
The IJC’s first Triennial Assessment of Progress report was released in November 2017, as well as a Highlights report, a Technical Appendix and a Summary of Public Comment Appendix.
The IJC's second Triennial Assessment of Progress report was released in December 2020, as well as a Story Map compilation of public comment videos.
The IJC's third Triennial Assessment of Progress report was released in November 2023 with a virtual news conference event.
Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement Biennial Reports (1982 - 2013)
- Sixteenth Great Lakes Water Quality Biennial Report, 2013
- Fifteenth Great Lakes Water Quality Biennial Report, 2011
- Fourteenth Great Lakes Water Quality Biennial Report, 2009
- Thirteenth Great Lakes Water Quality Biennial Report, 2007
- Twelfth Great Lakes Water Quality Biennial Report, 2004
- The Status of Restoration Activities in the Great Lakes AOCs Report, 2003
- Eleventh Great Lakes Water Quality Biennial Report, 2002
- Tenth Great Lakes Water Quality Biennial Report, 2000
- Ninth Great Lakes Water Quality Biennial Report, 1998
- Eighth Great Lakes Water Quality Biennial Report, 1996
- Seventh Great Lakes Water Quality Biennial Report, 1994
- Sixth Great Lakes Water Quality Biennial Report, 1992
- Fifth Great Lakes Water Quality Biennial Report Part I Part II 1990
- Fourth Great Lakes Water Quality Biennial Report, 1987
- Third Great Lakes Water Quality Biennial Report, 1986
- Second Great Lakes Water Quality Biennial Report, 1984
- First Great Lakes Water Quality Biennial Report, 1982