International Joint Commission
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Approved February 2, 2007

MINUTES
INTERNATIONAL JOINT COMMISSION
Executive Meeting
December 6-7, 2006

 

The International Joint Commission (IJC) met in Executive Session in Washington, DC on December 6 7, 2006, and with the Co-Chairs and Study Managers of the Upper Great Lakes Study Board on December 7, 2006, with Chair Schornack chairing. Commissioner Gourd participated in an in-camera session by conference call on December 5.

COMMISSIONERS
Dennis Schornack Chair, U.S. Section
Herb Gray Chair, Canadian Section
Robert Gourd Commissioner, Canadian Section
Jack Blaney Commissioner, Canadian Section
Irene Brooks Commissioner, U.S. Section
Allen Olson Commissioner, U.S. Section
 
SECTION STAFF
Lisa Bourget Secretary, U.S. Section
Murray Clamen Secretary, Canadian Section
Frank Bevacqua Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Section
Valerie Brunette Executive Assistant, Canadian Section
Antionette Cade Special Assistant, U.S. Section
James Chandler Legal Adviser, U.S. Section
Mark Colosimo Engineering Adviser, U.S. Section
Juanita Garner Staff Assistant, U.S. Section
James Houston Environmental Adviser, Canadian Section
Nick Heisler Senior Adviser to the Chair, Canadian Section
Tom McAuley Engineering Adviser, Canadian Section
John Nevin Senior Policy Adviser, U.S. Section
Paul Pilon Engineering Adviser, Canadian Section
Russ Trowbridge International Adviser, U.S. Section
Michael Vechsler Legal Adviser, Canadian Section
Joel Weiner Senior Adviser, Canadian Section
 
GREAT LAKES REGIONAL OFFICE
Karen Vigmostad Director
Douglas Bondy Regional Assistant to Director
Peter Boyer Science Advisory Board Secretary
Bruce B. Brown Public Information Officer
Richard Delisle Administrative Officer
Bruce Kirschner Physical Scientist
John McDonald International Air Quality Advisory Board Secretary
  1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
    2. The Commission approved the agenda with the addition under "Other Business" of an update on work concerning its "sustainable cities" initiative and of a proposed Executive Meeting at Mackinaw Island, May 22-24 instead of in June at the Chicago Biennial Meeting.

  2. MINUTES
    3. The Commission approved the Minutes of its October 17, 2006 Executive Meeting in Ottawa, Ontario, and its Conference call of November 9, 2006.

  3. APPOINTMENTS
    4. The Commission approved six-month re-appointments ending June 30, 2007, to the Great Lakes Science Advisory Board for Drs. Braden, Carpenter and Perlinger as U.S. members and Drs. Jones and Mergler and Mr. Fox as Canadian members, with the understanding that further appointments will follow a review and analysis of the future needs of the Commission and the Board.

  4. BRING-FORWARD SYSTEM
    5. Commissioners approved sending a follow-up letter to the Commission's August 29 and 30, 2006 letters to the U.S. Department of State and the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs, respectively, concerning the Osoyoos Lake Plan of Study and the need for resources to conduct the study.

  5. IJC CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE
    6. Commissioners received an update on activities associated with the 100th anniversary of the signing of the 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty. Commissioners discussed the U.S. Postal Service's not accepting the Commission's proposal on a commemorative stamp and agreed that staff should investigate the process leading to the commemorative stamp for Samuel Champlain's 1606 voyage and prepare a follow-up letter to the U.S. Postal Service enclosing the statement from President Clinton concerning the 90th anniversary of the Treaty. Commissioners also agreed that staff should prepare a letter to both governments alerting them formally to the Commission's plans for the centennial of the Treaty and to enquire about governments' plans.

  6. 2006 ANNUAL REPORT
    7. Commissioners briefly discussed the draft text dated November 16, 2006 for the 2006 Annual Report and provided their edits to staff for inclusion.

  7. MEETINGS WITH GOVERNMENTS
    8. Commissioners agreed that, for the April 2007 Semi-Annual Meeting, the meeting with governments should set aside a half-hour after formal business in order to allow for untranscribed detailed discussions on a mutually agreeable topic, with an agenda and materials developed in advance to inform those discussions.

  8. IJC INSTITUTE/FOUNDATION
    9. Commissioners deferred indefinitely further consideration of an IJC Institute or Foundation.

  9. IJC APPLICATIONS AND REFERENCES ON THE WEB
    10. Commissioners deferred discussion until the February 2007 Executive Meeting in Ottawa.

  10. GOVERNMENTS' GREAT LAKES WATER QUALITY AGREEMENT REVIEW
    11. Commissioners received an oral report from the Secretaries on the Governments' Governance and Institutions Workshop that was held in Detroit on November 29-30, 2006. Secretaries anticipated receiving a draft workshop re