The United States and Canada invite members of the public and those involved in Great Lakes programs to attend the Great Lakes Public Forum on February 4-5, 2026, in Chicago, USA. The forum will be held in a public meeting space within the Ralph H. Metcalfe Federal Building at 77 West Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60604.
The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (“the Agreement”) calls for the United States and Canada to convene the Great Lakes Public Forum every three years to discuss progress made under the Agreement, the environmental state of the Great Lakes, and proposed priorities to guide Great Lakes water quality related science and actions over the next three years.
The Agreement also calls for United States and Canada (referred to as “the Parties to the Agreement”) to issue a “Progress Report of the Parties” on the implementation progress made in the past three years. As part of the agenda, the Forum also provides an opportunity for the public to provide feedback on the Progress Report of the Parties to the International Joint Commission, who is tasked with obtaining public feedback and advising the United States and Canada with respect to the implementation of the Agreement. The Progress Report of the Parties will be published in early 2026.
An agenda will be available soon. The meeting will begin after noon on February 4 and will end before close of business on February 5.
Registration for in-person and virtual attendance is open. For any questions at this time, please contact the Registration Coordinator at GLForum@epa.gov