Views about the state of the Great Lakes and what actions Canada and the U.S. should take to restore and protect them were shared in Sarnia Wednesday.
It was standing room only, with approximately 80 people attending the International Joint Commission's round table discussion at the Lochiel Kiwanis Community Centre.
About a third of those in attendance were from the United States, including some representatives from Washington DC.
The Canadian Chair of the Binational Public Advisory Council (BPAC) is concerned about President Donald Trump's proposed budget cuts to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
Kristina Lee worries that cuts would result in a disruption in the ecosystem, due to invasive species -- especially Asian carp.
"This is not only an environmental threat, but an economic [threat] due to the loss of jobs for fisheries and tourism sport fishing -- which brings millions of dollars of economic benefit to both countries," says Lee.
She says the current U.S. federal government has jobs as a priority and the invasion of Asian carp is a threat to jobs and economic viability.
The St. Clair Region Conservation Authority would like to see more work done to remediate contaminated sediment in the St. Clair River, so the waterway can be delisted as an environmental hotspot.
St. Clair River Area of Concern Remedial Action Coordinator Donna Strang says it's the last major project.
The waterway is one of 43 areas of concern in the Great Lakes identified as needing action to eliminate impairment from industrial, municipal and agricultural pollution.
Presentations were also made on harmful algae blooms, agriculture, toxic chemicals and human health in the Sarnia-Lambton region.