Click on a dot to see information about US Areas of Concern.

Information about Binational and Canadian Areas of Concern is maintained by Environment Canada

Forty-three AOCs have been identified: 26 located entirely within the United States; 12 located wholly within Canada; and five that are shared by both countries. RAPs are being developed for each of these AOCs to address impairments to any one of 14 beneficial uses (e.g., restrictions on fish and wildlife consumption, dredging activities, or drinking water consumption) associated with these areas. USEPA has assigned RAP Liaisons for AOCs. Sediments have been identified as serious problems in many AOCs. AoC Principles and Guidelines have been finalized for formally delisting these areas as beneficial uses are restored.

What is an AOC and a RAP?

Areas of Concern (AoCs)

In an effort to clean up the most polluted areas in the Great Lakes, the United States and Canada, in Annex 2 of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, committed to cooperate with State and Provincial Governments to ensure that Remedial Action Plans (RAPs) are developed and implemented for all designated Areas of Concern (AOCs) in the Great Lakes basin.