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International Joint Commission United States and Canada

International St. Croix River Watershed Board

News Release
November 12, 2008

International St. Croix River Watershed Board releases
State of St. Croix River Watershed Report

CONCORD, Mass. and DARTMOUTH, Nova Scotia – The International St. Croix River Watershed Board (the Board) today released a binational "State of the Watershed Report" that outlines positive conditions and trends, but also spotlights problem areas and emerging issues of concern.

Positive signs identified in the economic and environmental scorecard include the steady recovery of bald eagle populations since the 1960s and the 20-fold increase in protected lands since 1996. The basin provides habitat for nine endangered or threatened animal species and three plant species. Overall forest cover is high at 77 percent, water quality in the upper tributaries and lakes remains good to excellent and recreational use has grown.

However, conditions in the lower reaches of the river and estuary — while much improved in the past 40 years — leave much to be desired. Despite stricter regulations, there are still concerns over industrial outfalls, municipal waste and stormwater discharges, and agricultural runoff. Six major dams create scenic lakes, regulate extremes in water flow and generate clean hydropower, but also block natural migration of alewife and other fish species, altering the ecology of upstream areas. Other ongoing concerns include atmospheric acid, mercury and particulates from upwind regions. The report points to the need for continued monitoring of environmental conditions, integrating information from both sides of the border, and for further study of the impact of recent and projected climatic changes.

"This report gives stakeholders a common view of the entire watershed and a tool for understanding issues within that context," said Col. Philip T. Feir, the United States co-chair of the Board and District Engineer of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District.

"The unified approach would not have been possible without the cooperation of many organizations across the border from the hydropower companies to governmental and non-profit natural resource managers," said Bill Appleby, the Canadian co-chair of the Board and Regional Director, Meteorological Service of Canada, Environment Canada Atlantic.

The report was prepared under the guidance of the International St. Croix River Watershed Board as part of an effort by the International Joint Commission (IJC) to promote a grassroots, integrated approach to conserving water resources along the Canada- United States border. It does not represent a formal position taken by the Board on specific issues. More information about the IJC and the Board is available online at: www.ijc.org.

"St. Croix River: State of the Watershed Report, Maine and New Brunswick" is available in hard copy from the contacts below or may be downloaded from the Board's website at: http://www.ijc.org/conseil_board/st_croix_river/stcroix_pub.php?language=english#reports.

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