Banner
Members           Mandate           Publications           Links           Activities
Map IJC Home Page Français
 

Mandate

IJC Directive to the Great Lakes Science Advisory Board

  1. The Great Lakes Science Advisory Board (SAB) was established pursuant to the provisions of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement of 1978 (Agreement). The primary role of the SAB is to assist the International Joint Commission (IJC) in the exercise of the powers and responsibilities assigned to the IJC under the Agreement.
  2. The stated purpose of the Parties (The Governments of the United States and Canada) is to restore and maintain the chemical, physical and biological integrity of the waters of the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem. In accordance with this general purpose, and the provisions of the Agreement and the Terms of Reference of the SAB appended to the Agreement, the SAB shall be the scientific advisor to the IJC and to the Water Quality Board (WQB).
  3. The SAB, on behalf of the Commission, is responsible for developing recommendations on matters related to research and the development of scientific knowledge pertinent to the identification, evaluation and resolution of current and anticipated problems related to water quality in the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem.


    4. In carrying out this responsibility, the SAB shall:

    1. keep informed on scientific and research matters encompassed within the scope of the 1978 Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement and as it deems appropriate shall seek analyses, assessments and recommendations from other scientific, professional, academic, governmental or inter-governmental groups relevant to Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem research and scientific knowledge.

      Further, the SAB shall:

      1. assess the impact and adequacy of research efforts;
      2. assess the reliability and potential applicability of research results;
      3. identify research priorities and additional research requirements; and
      4. identify specific research programs for which international cooperation is desirable.

    2. consult with jurisdictions regarding relevant research needs, solicit their involvement and promote coordination.
    3. report to the IJC and the WQB periodically as appropriate, or as required by the IJC, on all matters of a scientific or research nature relating to the operation and effectiveness of the 1978 Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.


  4. The SAB shall be composed of United States and Canadian managers of Great Lakes research programs and recognized experts on Great Lakes water quality problems and related fields within the context of the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem. Members of the SAB, as well as the members of its committees, working groups and task forces shall serve in a personal and professional capacity and not as representatives of their employers or organizations.
  5. The IJC shall appoint members of the SAB and shall appoint a member of each of the Canadian and United States sections of the SAB to serve as Co-chairmen. Appointment of all SAB members, including co-chairmen, will be for a term of three years although the length of any such term can be amended by decision of the IJC. In the absence of the regular Chairman, the members of the SAB shall select the other Co-chairman or one of their regular members to chair the meeting.
  6. The duties of the Co-Chairmen are:
    1. to be joint Chairmen of the SAB and to assume an active role in maintaining liaison between the SAB and the IJC and between the SAB and the WQB;
    2. to ensure that all the members of the SAB are informed of all instructions, inquiries and authorizations received from the IJC concerning activities undertaken by or on behalf of the SAB, progress made in such activities and any development affecting such progress;
    3. to consult with the IJC on the appointment of a Director to head the Great Lakes Regional Office;
    4. to consult with the Director on the assignment of a member of the Regional Office staff to be the Secretary to the SAB;
    5. to determine, in consultation with the Director of the Regional Office, the activities which they wish the Regional Office to carry out on behalf of, or in support of, the SAB, and to provide budgetary estimates for resources to carry out such activities; and
    6. to report to the IJC in the event of any unresolved concerns related to administrative support or technical assistance provided by the Regional Office, including recommendations as to how such concerns can be effectively addressed. In such event, the joint Chairmen shall inform the Director of the Regional Office in advance of such communication and its content.
  7. The travel and accommodation expenses of non-governmental members of the SAB, its committees and working groups, incurred in their participation in IJC activities may be paid by the IJC. All governmental board, committee, task force and working group members are expected to make their own arrangements for reimbursement of necessary expenditures for travel from their agencies.
  8. The secretariat of the SAB will be maintained at the IJC's Great Lakes Regional Office and all pertinent records and supporting documents shall be maintained at that office.
  9. The SAB shall maintain liaison with the WQB, in accordance with arrangements made by the Co-Chairmen of both Boards. In addition to providing advice on research to the IJC and the WQB, the SAB shall provide advice on specific scientific matters referred to it by the IJC. The SAB may seek the advice of the WQB on matters of mutual interest or responsibility.
  10. If the SAB is unable to reach agreement regarding substantive matters which it reports to the Commission, the IJC shall be so informed of the significant varying points of view within the SAB.
  11. The SAB shall carry out a program of activities in accordance with general plans to be approved by the IJC. In this regard, the SAB shall provide the Regional Office and the IJC by November 15 of each year with its proposed programs and estimated resource requirements for the period covered by the budget under consideration. If the SAB later concludes that these programs require significant modifications, the concurrence of the IJC is required. The SAB may at any time advise the IJC whenever the SAB feels that IJC assistance would be beneficial in carrying out the activities of the SAB.
  12. The SAB may establish or modify such committees, task forces and working groups it deems necessary to discharge its responsibilities effectively, including joint working groups established with the WQB and other pertinent organizations. The SAB shall, to the extent possible, enlist the cooperation of federal, provincial or state departments or agencies in Canada and the United States. The IJC shall be kept informed of the duties and composition of any such committees, task forces or working groups.
  13. The SAB shall submit written reports to the IJC annually, at least one month prior to the annual meeting of the IJC's Great Lakes Water Quality Institutions, and at such other times as the IJC may request or the SAB may desire. Until released by the IJC, any such reports and any SAB documents, letters, memoranda and communications of any kind in the official record of the IJC, are privileged and become available for public information only after release by the IJC.
  14. After obtaining the approval of the IJC, the SAB may make public the SAB's proceedings and undertakings. To the greatest extent possible, consistent with the policies of the IJC and the SAB, the SAB shall allow members of the public to attend meetings of the SAB and its committees, task forces and working groups. The public relations of the SAB will be handled through the public information service of the IJC's Great Lakes Regional Office in accordance with directives issued by the IJC.
  15. The SAB shall assist the IJC, on request, in the preparation of the reports to governments referred to in Paragraph 3 of Article VII of the 1978 Agreement. In addition, the IJC may amend existing instructions or issue new instructions to the Board at any time and it may call upon the SAB to assist it in any scientific matters related to the IJC's powers, responsibilities and functions as outlined in the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement of 1978.

D.G. Chance, Secretary
Canadian Section

D.A. LaRoche, Secretary
American Section

Top of Page

Last update: 

Waves

 

Home