In 2004, the Great Lakes States and Provinces released draft agreements to improve the management and protection of the Great Lakes. More than 10,000 public comments were received concerning the first draft of the agreements. Changes to the draft agreements have been made to reflect the suggestions and concerns raised by the public. The revised draft agreements are available on the Council of Great Lakes Governor's Web site at www.cglg.org.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will co-host a public information meeting in Duluth on Aug.18 to provide an opportunity for public comments on the revised agreements. The meeting will be Aug. 18, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, 200 West First Street, Duluth. The meeting will start with an open house where people will be able to obtain information about the agreements, ask questions and provide written comments. There will also be an opportunity to provide verbal comments.

Written comments on the agreements can also be submitted to the following addresses until Aug. 29: Kent Lokkesmoe, Minnesota DNR Waters, 500 Lafayette Road St. Paul, MN 55155-4032, e-mail wateruse@dnr.state.mn.us or Council of Great Lakes Governors, e-mail Annex2001@cglg.org or visit www.cglg.org.