The International Joint Commission prevents and resolves disputes between the
United States of America and Canada under the 1909 boundary Waters Treaty and
pursues the common good of both countries as an independent and objective
advisor to the two governments
In particular, the Commission rules upon applications for approval of projects
affecting boundary or transboundary waters and may regulate the operation
of these projects; it assists the two countries in the protection of the
transboundary environment, including the implementation of the Great Lakes
Water Quality Agreement and the improvement of transboundary air quality; and
it alerts the govenments to emerging issues along the boundary that may give
rise to bilateral disputes.
In order for our vision to become reality, we must take action now. With the
concerns for ourselves and future generations, now is the time to set goals
for solving the problems that we face today and to prevent new problems
from arising.
Vision submitted by the 1997 Great Lakes Student Summit
Buffalo, New York