IJC appoints project leaders to develop plan to improve water quality for Lake of the Woods basin

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The International Joint Commission has appointed the Co-Chairs of its International Lake of the Woods Basin Water Quality Plan of Study Team.  The team is tasked with developing a Water Quality Plan of Study for the Lake of the Woods basin to address priority issues identified during consultations throughout the basin by the former IJC Task Force for watershed governance action.

"We need a better understanding of the water quality issues in the Lake of the Woods Basin and the science behind the issues in order to recommend appropriate corrective actions," said U.S. Commissioner Rich Moy.

U.S. Chair Mr. Mark Brigham of the U.S. Geological Survey has expertise in environmental engineering and hydrology as applied to water quality issues and experience in leading a study team on mercury contamination for the National Water Quality Assessment Program.

Canadian Chair Dr. Paul Pilon, a former Engineering Adviser to the International Joint Commission, served as a Liaison to both the former Rainy Lake Control Board, and the Rainy River Pollution Board, as well to the International Lake of the Woods Control Board and the International Lake of the Woods and Rainy River Watershed Task Force.

"There will be many opportunities for local experts, government and agency people, and industry, as well as the public, to contribute their ideas during the process, and the IJC looks forward to hearing from all concerned," said Acting Canadian Chair Gordon Walker

The priority issues that the Study Team will consider include:

  • Nutrient enrichment and harmful algal blooms (NE-HABs);

  • Alien aquatic invasive species (AIS);

  • Surface and groundwater contamination, including heavy metals and other contaminants (S&GWC) from mining and other industrial activities.

Other important factors identified as priorities by the IJC for understanding water quality include climate change and the related development of indicators and adaptation measures as well as hydrology and hydrologic regulation.  These factors (Climate and Hydrology) will be considered within the PoS insofar as they relate directly to the PoS priority issues.

The Plan of Study Team work is guided by its Directive and Terms of Reference.

One of the first tasks of the Study Team will be to develop a preliminary draft Plan of Study and seek expert input at a technical workshop on March 11-12, 2014, immediately prior to the International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Forum.

The Plan of Study Team will consult closely with both the existing International Multi-Agency Working Group and the International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board, its CAG and IAG, and the public.

It is anticipated that the Plan of Study Team will submit a final report to the International Joint Commission in the fall of 2014.   After reviewing the Plan of Study Team's report, the Commission will make recommendations to the federal governments of Canada and the United States by the end of 2014.

The IJC is a six-member commission established by Canada and the United States under the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 to help prevent and resolve disputes over the use of waters shared by the two countries. The IJC has helped the two countries manage water quantity and water quality issues in the Lake of the Woods basin since 1912, when it launched a major study of pollution of boundary waters and reviewed an application for a dam at Kettle Falls. The current water quality plan of study was requested by the Governments of Canada and the United States further to recommendations made by the IJC in January 2012.