Volume 21, Issue 3, 1996 November/December 1996

The International Joint Commission is an independent international organization established under the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909. Its purpose is to help prevent disputes over use of waters shared by Canada and the United States and to provide advice on questions of mutual concern when requested by the two federal governments. Three members are appointed by the President of the United States, with advice and approval of the Senate, and three by the Governor-in-Council of Canada, on the advice of Prime Minister.

Features Research Managers Seek Innovative Ways to Deal with Cutbacks Ontario's Environmental Deregulation Will Have Multiple Effects on the Great Lakes Basin Measuring Economic Benefits of a Healthy Great Lakes Ecossystem International Joint Commission Reaches Out to More People in Expanding Public Consultation Process Une meilleure diffusion externe pour la CMI au moyen du processus de consultation publique Columns Briefs RapSheet Perspectives Bookshelf Events

Impacts of Government Cutbacks in the Great Lakes Basin In its Eighth Biennial Report on Great Lakes Water Quality, the International Joint Commission raised concerns about whether cutbacks in regulation, enforcement and funding jeopardize past investments and future progress to clean up the Great Lakes. This issue of Focus takes a closer look at some initiatives and issues related to these concerns. Recognizing that research funding will not soon be restored to its 1994 peak level, the Commission's Council of Great Lakes Research Managers is looking for new ways to maintain the quality of Great Lakes research. The Northeast-Midwest Institute is leading another to assess the benefits of Great Lakes cleanup efforts. Though the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement is not subject to cost-benefit analysis, findings from the latter initiative should provide relevant information for decisionmakers. Since Ontario is the Great Lakes province, recent developments in its approach to environmental protection are of particular interest. Cutbacks will also impact our ability to make sound decisions related to the Great Lakes Areas of Concern. And since funding reductions make it all the more important to set priorities carefully, our Perspectives column highlights discussion occuring in this area. In a separate development, the International Joint Commission is expanding its consultation process under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement to include more outreach and dialogue. U.S. Section Chair Thomas Baldini comments on the evolution of the Commission's consultation process.

Revised: 14 January 1997
Maintained by Kevin McGunagle, mcgunaglek@ijc.wincom.net

URL: www.ijc.org/rel/focus/v21i3/focus.html