The International Lake of the Woods Water Quality Plan of Study aims to improve conditions in the basin. But first, it needs one last look from the public.
The Plan of Study was released recently for a 30-day comment period, and the IJC is asking people to review it and submit any input by Dec. 11.
What’s new in this latest release are the costs and prioritization of projects. We want to hear from the public before submitting recommendations to the Canadian and U.S. governments for work in the basin, which drains nearly 27,000 square miles (70,000 square kilometers) and straddles the borders of Ontario, Manitoba, and Minnesota.
The Lake of the Woods basin, from the full report.
The Plan of Study has been years in the making. A Study Team has been involved with outreach to public agencies, scientific and technical experts, community groups, First Nations, Métis and Tribes, and the general public.
The Plan of Study identifies 32 projects to improve understanding of the basin ecosystem and support a balanced, binational approach to water quality.
Topics of focus include nutrient enrichment and harmful algal blooms, aquatic invasive species, and surface and groundwater contamination (including heavy metals and other contaminants).
There are three funding options outlined, with costs ranging from just over $4 million to about $8 million.
Three immediate actions also are recommended: an International Platform for Implementation, Rapid Evaluation and Implementation of Options to Manage Recent Zebra Mussel Infestation in Headwaters Areas in Minnesota, and Long-term Funding of Wheeler’s Point Gage and Designation as a Gage of Binational Significance.
You can read more about the Plan of Study in a news release. The full report is here. A summary is here.
You can comment using this link.
The IJC plans to take each comment into account, and submit its final report and recommendations to governments before the end of the year.
From a 2013 presentation on the Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed.
