Approved March 3, 2006

MINUTES
INTERNATIONAL JOINT COMMISSION
COMMISSIONERS' CONFERENCE CALL
February 17, 2006
Noon EDT

The International Joint Commission met by conference call on February 17, 2006, with Commissioner Brooks chairing.

1. LAKE ONTARIO - ST. LAWRENCE RIVER STUDY
   Commissioners received an oral update from staff on efforts being undertaken in anticipation of the release of the Study Board's report and to prepare for the Commission's future decision on possible changes to the IJC's regulatory regime.
   
   
2. BINATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
   Commissioners received an oral report from staff on the recent meeting of the Binational Executive Committee Meeting, including discussions concerning the planned review of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, the binational toxics strategy, and the State of the Lakes Ecosystem Conference (SOLEC).
   
   
3. ATSDR REPORT
   Commissioners received an update from staff concerning the anticipated schedule for finalization of a report by the U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and continuing coordination regarding a possible joint release.
   
   
4. OTHER BUSINESS
   
   1. Program on Water Issues Evaluation Request: Commissioners agreed that it would not be appropriate for Commissioners or staff to participate in an evaluation of the Program on Water Issues at the Munk Centre, University of Toronto and to decline any such requests;
   2. Osoyoos Board's Public Meetings: Commissioners Blaney and Brooks reported on the February 13 and 14 public meetings of the International Osoyoos Lake Board of Control concerning a draft Plan of Study for the renewal of the Commission's Orders, noted water quality concerns raised, and noted the need to consider such concerns during the next year; Commissioners agreed that staff should provide information for its April semi-annual meeting on authorities and provisions in the Commission's Order concerning water quality;
   3. IJC Public Service Announcements: Commissioners agreed to decline an invitation to participate in the production of public service announcements for various issues and organizations, including the IJC, as part of the UN Water for Life Decade;
   4. 13^th Biennial Report: Commissioners further discussed accountability, data availability and assessment, and reporting requirements in the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement; Commissioners agreed to proceed with a report on accountability, to receive information on various reports assessing available data, and for the Secretaries and GLRO Director to provide information on what assessments of existing data could yield as well as on whether data exists that makes possible the assessments specified in the Agreement.