MEDIA RELEASE
August 3, 2010

IJC and its Task Force to consult with public on review of binational management in Lake of the Woods and Rainy River system

The International Joint Commission (IJC) is pleased to announce that it has established a Task Force to assist it with a review of binational management in the Lake of the Woods and Rainy River basin.

The International Lake of the Woods and Rainy River Watershed Task Force will examine and make recommendations regarding the binational management of the international waters of the Lake of the Woods and Rainy River system and the IJC's potential role in this management. This review would serve to complement government activities that foster trans-jurisdictional coordination and collaboration on science and management activities to enhance and restore water quality in the basin. It would also contribute to any future approach to addressing new and emerging water quality issues and water management needs.

The public is invited to meet the members of the Task Force and provide comments on bi-national management of the basin and any other matters that the Task Force should consider. The public consultations will be held at the following times and locations:

Tuesday, August 31 AmericInn Convention Room 1500 highway 71 International Falls, MN 56649 7:00 pm

Wednesday, September 1 Best Western Lakeside Inn Cascade Ballroom 470 1st Avenue Kenora, ON P9N 1W5 7:00 pm

Thursday, September 2 Warroad Area Community Centre 222 Virginia Ave NW Warroad, MN 56763 7:00 pm

Written comments may also be submitted throughout the 18-month investigation at either address below:

U.S. Section Secretary International Joint Commission 2000 L St. NW Suite #615 Washington, DC 20440 Fax: 202-632-2006 Email: Commission@washington.ijc.org

Canadian Section Secretary International Joint Commission 234 Laurier Avenue West 22nd Floor Ottawa, ON K1P 6K6 Fax: 613-993-5583 Email: Commission@ottawa.ijc.org

The International Joint Commission prevents and resolves disputes between the United States of America and Canada under the 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty and pursues the common good of both countries as an independent and objective advisor to the two governments.

The full text of letter of reference from the Governments of Canada and the United States requesting that the IJC undertake the investigation, and the directive from the IJC to its Task Force, may be found on the Commission's web site at www.ijc.org.

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