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Approved August 7, 2002
MINUTES
INTERNATIONAL JOINT COMMISSION
EXECUTIVE MEETING
Windsor, Ontario
June 11-12, 2002
The International Joint Commission met in Executive Session at the Commission's
Great Lakes Regional Office in Windsor, Ontario on June 11 and 12, 2002 with
Chair Gray in the chair.
COMMISSIONERS
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Herb Gray
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Chair, Canadian Section
(in the chair)
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Dennis Schornack
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Chair, U.S. Section
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Robert Gourd
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Commissioner, Canadian Section
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Jack Blaney
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Commissioner, Canadian Section
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HEADQUARTERS' STAFF
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Murray Clamen
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Secretary, Canadian Section
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Gerald Galloway
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Secretary, U.S. Section
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Helen Kay Austin
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Ecologist, U.S. Section
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Frank Bevacqua
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Public Information Officer, U.S. Section
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Lisa Bourget
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Engineering Adviser, U.S. Section (by teleconference)
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Valerie Brunette
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Executive Asst to the Secretary & Commissioners,
Canadian Section
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James Chandler
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Legal Adviser, U.S. Section
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Joel Fisher
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Senior Scientist, U.S. Section
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Nick Heisler
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Special Adviser to the Chair, Canadian Section
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James Houston
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Environmental & Informatics Adviser, Canadian Section
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Rudy Koop
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Research Adviser, Canadian Section
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Fabien Lengellé
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Public Affairs Adviser, Canadian Section
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Karen Lynch
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Staff Assistant, U.S. Section
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Ann MacKenzie
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Economics Adviser, Canadian Section
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Tom McAuley
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Engineering Adviser, Canadian Section
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Michael Scanlin
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Adviser, U.S. Section
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Michael Vechsler
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Legal Adviser, Canadian Section
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GREAT LAKES REGIONAL OFFICE STAFF
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Gail Krantzberg
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Director
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Peter Boyer
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Social Scientist
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Jennifer Day
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Public Information Officer
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Bruce Kirschner
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Environmental Scientist
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APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
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1.
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Commissioners approved the agenda (reflected by these Minutes) for the June 11
and 12, 2002 executive meeting.
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APPROVAL OF MINUTES
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2.
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The Commission approved the Minutes of the April 8, 2002 Executive Meeting held
in Washington, D.C. and the process of posting them on the Commission's website.
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APPOINTMENTS
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3.
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The Commision:
Great Lakes Water Quality Board
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approved the appointment of Mr. David K. Ladd and Mr. Gerald Mikol as members
of the U.S. Section
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approved the re-appointments of Mr. Steve Clarkson for one year from November
1, 2001 to October 31, 2002 and Mr. Guy Demers for three years from May 1, 2002
to April 30, 2005
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approved the appointment of Charles Lalonde as a member of the Canadian Section
for a term from June 12, 2002 to June 30, 2005
Council of Great Lakes Research Managers, U.S. Section
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approved the re-appointments of Mr. James Nicholas, Dr. Stephen Brandt and Dr.
Jeffrey Reutter as members for three-year terms
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approved the appointments of Louis Leigh, Daniel Bondy and Jacinthe Leclerc to
the Canadian Section for a three year term from July 1, 2002 to June 30, 2005
International Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Study Board, Canadian Section,
Recreational Boating Technical Working Group
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confirmed the appointment of Ms Marie-Claude Pitre as a Canadian member to the
Recreational Boating Technical Working Group of the Study Board
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GREAT LAKES WATER QUALITY AGREEMENT ISSUES
11
th
Biennial Report
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4.
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The Commission reviewed the revised draft of the 11th Biennial Report, approved
a number of changes to the text as well as figures, charts and graphs to be
further decided at a meeting in Ottawa scheduled for June 19, 2002, and
confirmed the previously approved communications/marketing strategy.
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Niagara River Area of Concern (AOC) Status Assessment
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5.
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The Commission approved the release plan for the Niagara Status Assessment
including the release date of June 20, 2002 and the letter of transmittal to
the Parties.
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St. Lawrence River Area of Concern (AOC) Status Assessment
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6.
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The Commission received a briefing on the St. Lawrence Status Assessment and
approved consulting with governments, the St. Lawrence River Restoration
Council and the Mohawk Council on the draft findings
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Annex 2 Advice
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7.
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The Commission received a status report on the meeting held May 14, 2002 in
Detroit to discuss Annex 2 issues and approved reconstituting the Annex 2
Committee with the membership as indicated below and with a mandate to review
its Terms of Reference and submit them to the Commission for approval.
Membership:
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Dennis Schornack, Robert Gourd, Lead IJC Commissioners
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Gail Krantzberg, Chairperson (IJC)
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Bruce Kirschner, Secretary (IJC)
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David Ullrich, Craig Mather, Kelly Burch (Water Quality Board)
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William Bowerman, Isobel Heathcote (Science Advisory Board)
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Jan Miller (Council of Great Lakes Research Managers)
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GLWQA Reporting Requirements
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8.
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The Commission received a status report on the IJC/BEC review of the GLWQA
reporting requirements and discussed consultation options which Dr. Krantzberg
will coordinate with BEC officials.
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Biennial Forum/Great Lakes Summit
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9.
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The Commission agreed to hold the forum in Ann Arbor, Michigan on September
19-20, 2003.
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10.
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The Commission was informed that the objective of the proposed Great Lakes
Summit had been changed to a non-public meeting of the Commissioners of the
Great Lakes Commission, the Governors of the Great Lakes Fisheries Commission,
and the IJC, and that it was unnecessary to consider coordination of this event
with the IJC's Biennial Forum
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Severn Sound AOC Delisting
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11.
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The Commission discussed the delisting process under the GLWQA including the
Commission's role, and approved the role and Commission statement regarding the
event scheduled for June 22, 2002 in Severn Sound. Chair Gray will attend the
event on behalf of the Commissioners.
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BRIEFING ON EMERGENCY CONDITIONS IN THE RAINY WATERSHED
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13.
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The Commission agreed to amend the executive agenda to receive an emergency
briefing by teleconference on high water conditions in the Rainy/Lake of the
Woods watershed from members of its Rainy Lake Board of Control and the Rainy
River Water Pollution Board, including the possibility of the IJC issuing a
Supplementary Order of Approval. The Commission agreed to consult further with
the Board later in the day and directed staff to prepare a draft Supplementary
Order to consider at that time.
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14.
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Subsequently the Commission reconvened in executive session with members of the
above boards briefing the Commission by teleconference following which
Commissioners approved a Supplementary Order of Approval and a Press Release,
thanking the Boards for their prompt and comprehensive advice on the situation.
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GREAT LAKES NAVIGATION SYSTEM REVIEW
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15.
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The Commission received a briefing on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Great
Lakes Navigation System Review and approved a draft letter to the State
Department including mention of the teleconference briefing on this subject
given to members of PIAG of the Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence Study. The Commission
was informed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that dredging, which they are
undertaking in the Detroit River, will only maintain previously existing and
previously binationally approved depths and will not otherwise alter the
channel."
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IJC BROCHURE AND MAP
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16.
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A sample envelope/sleeve for the IJC map was demonstrated and Commissioners
agreed to some design changes.
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17.
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Revised text for the IJC brochure was distributed to Commissioners for their
review and comment.
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IJC POLICIES AND PRACTICES
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18.
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The Commission approved three policies and three practices for addition to the
IJC Policy Book.
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19.
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The Commission approved revised wording for the Commission's Mission Statement.
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GUIDANCE FOR IJC STAFF ON PUBLISHING PAPERS AND SPEAKING AT CONFERENCES
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20.
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The Commission considered staff comments on the draft guidance circulated to
all staff, approved the revised guidance and agreed that the Secretaries and
Regional Office Director should distribute it to all IJC staff.
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IJC BOARDS AND TASK FORCES
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21.
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The Commission noted the background information that had been prepared on the
mandates, membership and programs of IJC Boards and Task Forces, thanked all
staff for the material, and agreed to discuss issues raised by the information
at the October Fall semi-annual executive meeting
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IJC CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE
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22.
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The Commission agreed that the Chairs would meet to discuss setting up a formal
Committee with objectives and that, in the interim, Secretaries should develop
a plan for preparing a History of the IJC as part for the centennial activities.
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LIAISON WITH COMMISSION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL COOPERATION (CEC)
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23.
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The Commission received a briefing on arrangements to date for the meeting of
the IJC with the Council of Ministers on June 19, 2002 in Ottawa and directed
Secretaries to provide copies of the agenda and list of participants when it is
finalized. Chairs Gray and Schornack and Commissioner Gourd are to attend.
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WATER USE REFERENCE
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24.
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The Commission discussed the approach to the three year follow-up Reference to
review the recommendations in its February 2000 report on the Protection of the
Waters of the Great Lakes and approved a Directive to a four member Task Force
with the following membership:
Canadian members: Ralph Pentland (Co-chair) and Owen Saunders (member)
U.S. members: Tom Callow (Co-chair) and Dan Tarlock (member)
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IJC WEBSITE
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25.
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Commissioners were briefed on the findings of two consultants (Westlake and H3
Creative) who reviewed the IJC website and received a demonstration on options
for a new IJC site.
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INTERNATIONAL LAKE ONTARIO-ST. LAWRENCE RIVER STUDY BOARD
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26.
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The Commission received an update on the status of the study, including
membership on the PIAG, and approved release of the Study Board's Year 1
Reports.
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27.
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The Commission agreed to ask this Board to consider developing a pictorial
presentation of high and low water experiences in Lake Ontario and the St.
Lawrence River
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DUCK LAKE
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28.
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Commissioners reviewed the request submitted by Mr. Simmons pursuant to the
IJC's Duck Lake Orders of Approval and approved a draft reply to Mr. Simmons
and a draft letter to the International Kootenay Lake Board of Control
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IJC AMALGAMATED BOARDS' WORKSHOP
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29.
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The Commission noted the staff summary of the Chicago workshop including
general points to be considered in policy and operational guidelines for the
IJC's consolidated boards. To facilitate increased interaction among these
boards, the Commission agreed that their appearances at semi-annual meetings
should be scheduled for the same day; that these boards make better use of
their IJC web pages; and that a facilitated session for the consolidated boards
be considered for the 2003 spring semi-annual meeting
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COMMISSIONER SUMMER ORIENTATION TOURS
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30.
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Commissioners reviewed plans for summer orientation visits to the Red, Rainy,
St. Croix and St. Mary-Milk Basins. Commissioners agreed to ask the Kootenay
and Osoyoos Control Boards to consider scheduling their public meetings and
site visits immediately after the Commission's Health Professionals Task Force
meeting in Vancouver September 20-21 to make more efficient use of
Commissioners' time and costs.
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LAKE SUPERIOR PEAKING AND PONDING
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31.
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Commissioners received an oral status report on Peaking and Ponding activity at
the hydropower facilities at Sault Ste Marie and agreed that no action was
required at this time
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SOURIS RIVER BASIN
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32.
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Commissioners reviewed the status of discussions for expanding the mandate of
the Souris River Board and agreed that no action was required at this time.
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COMMISSION ON HUMAN HEALTH BRIEFING
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33.
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The Commission received a briefing on human health issues, including a report
of the informal meeting held at the April 2002 semi-annual meeting in
Washington, D.C. with members of the Commission's Health Professionals Task
Force, the International Air Quality Advisory Board and the Working Group on
Ecosystem Health under the Science Advisory Board. The Commission agreed that
these three groups should work towards organizing a human health workshop,
possibly in the Fall, and that in the interim they should coordinate their
activities.
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NUCLEAR ISSUES
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34.
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Commissioners received a briefing on various nuclear issues by Dr. Joel Fisher
and agreed that Commissioners should continue to be informed on such matters.
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DEVIL'S LAKE
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35.
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The Commission was advised by Secretaries that governments had not as yet
agreed on a Reference to the IJC on this matter. Commissioners noted various
options for proceeding with a Reference should one be received.
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RECOGNITION OF IJC BOARD MEMBERS
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36.
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The Commission discussed possible options for increasing recognition of IJC
Board members and agreed that staff should develop a Plan of Action for
possible implementation at, or if possible prior to, the Fall semi-annual
meeting.
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OTHER BUSINESS
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37.
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The Commission:
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discussed air quality issues and approved the letter to governments
transmitting the Report Card developed by the International Air Quality
Advisory Board;
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noted the report by Chair Schornack that senior U.S. officials are not
supportive of expanding the current IJC role in the Detroit-Windsor Air
Reference;
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agreed to have a half day briefing by the International Air Quality Advisory
Board at their July meeting in Missoula, Montana with a preliminary discussion
of the proposed joint human health workshop as discussed under item 33 above.
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38.
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The Commission received an update on alewives in the St. Croix system and
agreed that no action was required at this time.
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Murray Clamen
Secretary
Canadian Section
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Gerry Galloway
Secretary
U.S. Section
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Dernière mise à jour :
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