About the process

There will be five steps to the process. The dates of each stage will be announced over time. Please bookmark this page!

1. Comment on the LOSL Study

The International Joint Commission held a public comment period from May 31 to September 15, 2006, on the report of its International Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Study Board to help it in its deliberations. The comments were published on its website (see Comments received in the sidebar).

2. Development of a proposal for a new Order and regulation plan

The Commission considered the Study Board report, public comment and other information in light of its responsibility under the Boundary Waters Treaty and developed a proposal for a new Order of Approval and Plan (see Proposal documents in the sidebar), which it released on March 28, 2008.

3. Hearings on the proposed new Order and regulation plan

The Commission held public hearings and invited written comments after the release of the proposed new Order of Approval and Plan (see Comments Received in the sidebar).

4. Consultations with the governments of Canada and the United States

The Commission will consult with the two governments to seek their concurrence before making a decision whether to change its Orders of Approval or the current regulation plan.

5. Decision

The Commission will release its final decision to the governments and to the public in print and online. The form of the Commission's decision will depend on the decision it reaches.

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