IJC Issues Report on Governance of Lake of the Woods – Rainy River Watershed

The International Joint Commission (IJC) released a plan to help improve bi-national management of water quality in the Lake of the Woods – Rainy River basin.

In a report to the governments of Canada and the United States, the IJC proposed a governance model for a new International Lake of the Woods and Rainy River Watershed Board under the International Watershed Initiative. The new governance model would enhance local participation and support mechanisms to address priority issues through cooperative research and decision making. This could include bi-national studies on transboundary water quality and water-level regulation of Lake of the Woods and a Watershed Summit convened by the IJC.

“The Commission thanks the public, First Nations, Métis, Tribes, industry and officials from both Canada and the United States for participating in this process. They have helped us to develop a bi-national governance model that can provide solutions to our immediate problems and ensure that Lake of the Woods and Rainy River remain a magnificent jewel and attraction in the heart of North America”
said Canadian Chair the Hon. Joe Comuzzi.

“The establishment of a watershed board will allow for greater participation of the public, First Nations, Métis and Tribes and industry. This will help ensure that the greatest variety of views and proposals are considered by both nations in their coordination of water quality and water quantity efforts in the basin. This speaks to a fundamental principle of our International Watershed Initiative; that local problems are best resolved through local solutions and participation” noted US Chair the Hon. Lana Pollack.

The new International Watersheds Initiative Board would be formed by combining the IJC`s existing International Rainy River Water Pollution Board and the International Rainy Lake Board of Control and would have an expanded mandate to include reporting to governments on water quality in the boundary waters of the watershed. The amalgamation of the two existing boards into one watershed board would not result in additional regulations for industry but rather rationalize governance within the watershed. A Water Quality Plan of Study would identify what scientific work is needed in addressing the priority transboundary water issues such as nutrient enrichment and harmful algal blooms; aquatic invasive species; climate change indicators and the development of adaptation measures; and contamination of ground and surface water from sulphides and heavy metals.

The Commission also recommended the development of a Plan of Study on Lake of the Woods water levels to better inform policy, enhance understanding of the impacts of post glacial rebound and to consider the anticipated effects of climate change.

The Commission recommends that Governments partner with First Nations, Métis and Tribes in watershed governance issues and continue efforts to resolve land and flooding claims. For its part, the IJC would welcome stronger and deeper engagement with First Nations, Tribes and Métis as members of a new watershed board.

These IJC recommendations are in response to a request by the governments of the United States and Canada in June 2010 that the IJC examine bi-national governance of the Lake of the Woods and Rainy River. The International Joint Commission created the International Lake of the Woods and Rainy River Watershed Task Force (Task Force) on July 13, 2010, to examine and report to the IJC on the matters raised by the governments. The Task Force issued its final report to the IJC on July 15, 2011, entitled “Bi-national Management of Lake of the Woods and Rainy River Watershed” and the Commission held public hearings and received comments on the Task Force report from July 21, 2011 to August 31, 2011. The Task Force Report is annexed to the Commission’s Reference Report which is available at www.ijc.org

Contacts: Frank Bevacqua Washington 202-736-9024 bevacquaf@washington.ijc.org Bernard Beckhoff Ottawa 613-947-1420 beckhoff@ottawa.ijc.org