IJC Scrutinizes Water Uses,
Diversions and Removals
Concerned that existing policies
may not give adequate protection, the United
States and Canadian
federal governments asked the International Joint
Commission
in February to examine the use, diversion and removal of
waters
along the common border. The request came in the wake of a proposal
to
remove water from Lake Superior.
The IJC launched its investigation in March by holding
public
hearings
in eight cities on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence
River. The hearings
yielded a rich record of issues and views
regarding the use of these treasured
water resources. The IJC
also intends to hold consultations in the eastern and
western
regions of the continent to obtain advice on the shared waters
outside
the Great Lakes basin.
At the Windsor,
Ontario hearing.
Over the years, the IJC has pointed out that water must be managed
in a
rational, consistent and anticipatory way to prevent transboundary
disputes.
The governments have asked the IJC to build on its
experience, including its
1985 study of Great Lakes diversions
and consumptive uses, and to submit
interim recommendations for
the protection of Great Lakes waters by August
1999. A final
report on the Great Lakes, along with a plan for assessing
consumption,
diversions and removal of other waters along the
Canada-U.S.
boundary, is due in February 2000.
Specifically, the IJC will make policy recommendations after
examining issues
that may affect levels and flows of water within
the basins and aquifers shared
by the two countries. Major issues
include:
-
existing and potential consumptive
uses of water;
-
existing and potential diversions
of water in and out of the transboundary
basins, including withdrawals
of water for export;
-
the cumulative effects of existing
and potential diversions and removals of
water, including removals
in bulk for export; and
-
the current laws and policies as
may affect the sustainability of the water
resources in boundary
and transboundary basins.
The IJC has appointed a binational
study team, held expert workshops and is
working diligently to
provide sound advice within the deadlines set by the
governments.
Additional information can be found on the
Water
Uses Reference
page. All interested citizens and organizations
are invited to send comment
during the course of the study to
the
website
,
email
,
fax or mailing addresses.
Send Us Your Comments
on Water Uses Study!
IJC Advances Watershed Approach
As we cross into the new millennium,
the International Joint Commission, like
other institutions worldwide,
is taking stock of its role and the challenges
and opportunities
we will face in the years ahead. In October 1997, the IJC
responded
to the Canadian and U.S. governments’ interest in this
matter
with a report on
The
IJC and the 21st Century
. The report considered some
of the ways the IJC might help governments address
environmental
challenges along the international boundary. High on the list
was
the need to identify, prevent and resolve potential disputes
that are likely to
emerge from increased stresses on water and
other resources. Building on some
of the latest and most farsighted
thinking on this issue, the IJC proposed the
eventual establishment
of international watershed boards along the entire
boundary.
These boards would take an ecosystem approach and bring together
the
whole range of interests in the various watersheds.
Thus far, the two federal governments have been very supportive.
Secretary of
State Albright and Foreign Minister Axworthy endorsed
the recommendation in
March 1998. The governments followed in
November 1998 with a
joint
reference
asking the Commission to further develop the recommendation.
At a February 5,
1999 meeting in Washington, D.C., the IJC was
encouraged by a wide range of
senior government officials from
both countries to continue developing ideas to
implement this
proposal. The IJC is also engaged in wide consultations,
including
regional workshops to discuss the practical application of the
idea
in actual watersheds. The first regional workshop took place
in International
Falls, Minnesota on March 23, 1999 and a second
is being considered.
Much interest is developing and a great deal work still lies
ahead. Determining
the mandate, scope of work and operational
capabilities for eventual watershed
boards will not be easy.
Matters of funding and actual participation will also
need to
be addressed. However, participation has been enthusiastic and
interest
is running high. To share comments on IJC’s proposed
watershed approach,
visit our
Discussion
Rooms
.
Biennial Forum
Comes to Milwaukee
The International Joint Commission
cordially invites you to attend our 1999
Great Lakes Water Quality
Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, September 24-26, 1999.
The IJC and a dedicated team of local volunteers from the Milwaukee
area have
planned a weekend jam-packed with exciting events that
will provide an
opportunity for all attendees to testify at public
hearings, participate in
discussions and debates on Great Lakes
issues, learn about a wide variety of
topics and network with
interesting people from around the Greats Lakes basin
and beyond
that have all come for the same purpose — furthering
the
restoration and protection of the Great Lakes.
Greater Milwaukee
Convention Bureau
The IJC biennial forum has changed in size, shape and scope over
the last two
decades, but one thing remains the same — the
enthusiasm of the people who
attend this meeting and their devotion
to our shared binational resource, the
Great Lakes. We are proud
to host this unique meeting every two years and hope
you will
join us in Milwaukee this September. For more information, check
out
the
1999
Great Lakes Water Quality Forum
.
Two Projects Proposed
for Niagara River
In December 1998, the International
Joint Commission received an application by
the Buffalo and Fort
Erie Public Bridge Authority to build a
second
bridge over the Niagara River
parallel to the existing Peace
Bridge. In May, the IJC approved construction.
The original Peace
Bridge was approved by the IJC in 1925.
The IJC was also asked by the Governments
of the United States and Canada to
investigate a proposal by
Ontario Hydro to
redevelop
and expand its generating facilities on the Niagara River
.
The IJC looked at how the project would affect the design and
operation of
the remedial works that control water levels in
the Chippewa-Grass Island pool
just upstream of Niagara Falls.
In May, the IJC concluded that there would be
no effect.
The IJC held two public hearings
on the projects in January.
