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Approved February 1, 2008
MINUTES
INTERNATIONAL JOINT COMMISSION
COMMISSIONERS CONFERENCE CALL
December 21, 2007
12:00 Noon EDT
The International Joint Commission met by conference call on December 21, 2007 chaired by
Herb Gray.
| COMMISSIONERS |
| Herb Gray |
Chair, Canadian Section |
| Irene Brooks |
Acting Chair, U.S. Section |
| Jack Blaney |
Commissioner, Canadian Section |
| Allen Olson |
Commissioner, U.S. Section |
| SECTION STAFF |
| Murray Clamen |
Secretary, Canadian Section |
| Lisa Bourget |
Secretary, U.S. Section |
| Kay Austin |
Ecologist, U.S. Section |
| Frank Bevacqua |
Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Section |
| Antoinette Cade |
Special Assistant, U.S. Section |
| Jim Chandler |
Legal Adviser, U.S. Section |
| Mark Colosimo |
Engineering Adviser, U.S. Section |
| Juanita Garner |
Staff Assistant, U.S. Section |
| Nick Heisler |
Senior Adviser to the Chair, Canadian Section |
| Jim Houston |
Environmental Adviser, Canadian Section |
| Greg McGillis |
Public Affairs Adviser, Canadian Section |
| John Nevin |
Policy Adviser, U.S. Section |
| Russ Trowbridge |
International Adviser, U.S. Section |
| Michael Vechsler |
Legal Adviser, Canadian Section |
| Joel Weiner |
Senior Adviser, Canadian Section |
| GREAT LAKES REGIONAL OFFICE STAFF |
| Karen Vigmostad |
Director |
- APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Commissioners approved the agenda.
- MINUTES
Commissioners approved the Minutes of the November 30, 2007 Commissioners' Conference Call and December 4-5, 2007 Executive Meeting.
- SCHEDULE
Commissioners approved the Draft 2008 Commissioners' Conference Call Schedule and Draft 2009 Schedule of IJC Meetings.
- APPOINTMENTS
Commissioners approved the appointment of Canadian members Mr. Charles LeBlanc and Dr. Robert Stephenson to the St. Croix Board for a three year term ending December 31, 2010.
- GREAT LAKES WATER QUALITY AGREEMENT
Commissioners approved the Draft Letter to the Parties on Nearshore issues subject to editorial changes and agreed that it should be addressed at the officials' level and signed by the Secretaries.
- HEALTH PROFESSIONALS TASK FORCE
Commissioners approved the Draft 2007-2009 workplan and budget noting that there likely will be a request for an additional $10,000 at a later date.
- LAKE ONTARIO ST. LAWRENCE RIVER (LOSLR)
Commissioners received an oral briefing from staff on consultations with governments and the meeting planned for January 15, 2008 as well as the proposed timeline for the public release of documents.
- ONTARIO GREAT LAKES RENEWAL FOUNDATION
Commissioners discussed a draft letter of support for this Foundation and agreed on revised wording for such a letter addressed to the provincial and federal Ministers of the Environment.
- OTHER BUSINESS
- World Water Week 2008 (Stockholm)
Commissioners noted Chair Gray's meeting with Margaret Catley Carlson concerning the Stockholm World Water Week and approved working with organizers to propose an IJC workshop or session at the 2008 conference highlighting the LOSLR experience, especially stakeholder involvement.
- Niagara Site Visit
Commissioners received an oral briefing on a site visit by staff following up on a proposal by Niagara region mayors and officials to host Boundary Waters Treaty Centennial celebratory events in the area in 2009.
- U.S. Congressional Event
Commissioners confirmed they will all attend this Congressional briefing whenever it is rescheduled in 2008 and asked staff to consider scheduling related meetings for them while they are together in Washington DC during that time.
- Great Lakes Water Levels Reference request
In response to a request, Commissioners approved releasing the governments' responses to the IJC's 1993 Report on "Methods of Alleviating the Adverse Consequences of Fluctuating Water Levels in the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence River Basin" noting that government officials have no objections to such a release.
Elizabeth C. Bourget
Secretary
U.S. Section
Murray Clamen
Secretary
Canadian Section
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