Approved March 31, 2006

MINUTES
INTERNATIONAL JOINT COMMISSION
COMMISSIONERS' CONFERENCE CALL
March 17, 2006

The International Joint Commission met by conference call on March 17, 2006, with Chair Schornack chairing.

1. ORAL UPDATE on LAKE ONTARIO - ST. LAWRENCE RIVER STUDY
   Commissioners received an oral update from staff on status of efforts to begin initial briefings on the Study Board's report, the Board reply to the US National Academy of Science/Royal Society of Canada report, and publishing of the final study report. They requested that further drafts of letters to the U.S. and Canadian governments be prepared, requested staff to encourage appropriate recognition of the important contributions of the Public Information Advisory Group (PIAG) to the study, and noted the difficulties being experienced regarding translation of the Study Board's report which may delay its release.
   
   
2. IJC COMMUNICATION ACTIVITIES RELATED TO LOSL STUDY REPORT RELEASE
   Commissioners approved the communications action plan and events related to the release of the LOSL Study report and approved the draft media release and Federal Register/Canada Gazette notices subject to minor edits.
   
   
3. DRAFT AGENDA FOR SEATTLE MEETING WITH GOVERNMENTS
   Commissioners approved the draft agenda as amended during the conference call.
   
   
4. FLATHEAD
   Commissioners agreed to defer consideration of seeking a briefing from the State of Montana and the Province of British Columbia on Flathead River Basin issues until such time as a Memorandum of Agreement is concluded between the state and province. Commissioners also agreed that the Commission is not asking any government to refer issues related to the Flathead River Basin to the Commission.
   
   
5. OTHER BUSINESS - U.S. NATIONAL CHILD HEALTH STUDY
   Commissioners considered a proposal to encourage the government of Canada to join the U.S. National Health Study and deferred action pending receipt of additional information regarding the matter.