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The following article is from an archived newsletter. See our Shared Waters newsletter.

Rainy and Namakan Lakes Rule Curves Study Board to hold public meetings July 26-28, 2016

IJC staff
IJC
Water Matters - Graphic of the Rainy River Basin

Since August of 2015, the 2000 Rule Curves that are used to regulate water levels on Rainy and Namakan Lakes have been under review. The IJC’s International Rainy Namakan Lakes Rule Curves Study Board will be holding a series of public meetings in the watershed to give updates on their progress to date and to gather feedback from the public.   These meetings follow up on consultations held with stakeholders in September 2015 and ongoing input from the Rule Curve Public Advisory Group.

There will be six public meetings, two in each country, at 7pm on the evenings of Tuesday, July 26 through Thursday, July 28, 2016.  The meeting will include a short presentation on the Study and provide ample time for questions and comments.
  

Schedule of IRNLRCSB Public Meetings

Canadian Study Co-Chair Matt DeWolfe noted “the rule curves impact everyone who uses the water, those who live on the shorelines, those who use the water for recreation, for enjoying the abundance of wildlife, for hydro-production, for their businesses and livelihoods. The Study Board has been examining a wide range of studies on these subjects and others with the goal of understanding the effectiveness of 2000 Rule Curves, and is looking forward to sharing some preliminary results of this work.”

The Rainy River basin is comprised of three sub-basins: Namakan Lake sub-basin, Rainy Lake sub-basin and Rainy River sub-basin.

US Study Co-Chair Col. Samuel Calkins added “To date, the Study Board has benefited greatly from the input received from members of the Public Advisory Group, resource agencies and the dam operators. During the week of the public meetings, the Study Board will be meeting all of these groups as well as representatives from First Nations, to get their input on the results to date. In addition to those meetings, the Public Meetings offer the general public the chance to hear directly from the Study Board on the latest information, ask questions, and share their input”.  

The Study Board will make scientifically supported recommendations to the IJC for modifying or retaining the 2000 Rainy and Namakan Lakes rule curves after reviewing the wide range of hydrologic, hydraulic, economic, cultural and environmental factors.

View the Study Board’s fact sheets to learn more on the Rule Curve: http://ijc.org/en_/RNLRCSB/Fact_Sheets

IJC staff
IJC

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