Request for Public Comment before November 29, 2019 on Water Quality Objectives and Alerts for the Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed
The Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board (IRLWWB or board) is providing the interested public an opportunity to comment on a report developed by a project team to assist it in setting water quality Objectives and Alerts for the basin.
The report summarizes the results of the first phase of a project to address the need for Water Quality Objectives and Alert Levels for the Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed. Water Quality Objectives are internationally agreed upon standards, whereas Alert Levels are advisory level triggers that can be brought to the attention of both governments by the International Joint Commission (IJC).
Comments can be submitted through the Board’s website, by email (ksaunders@lowwsf.com) or in writing to:
Kelli Saunders Scott Jutila
International Watershed Coordinator United States Secretary, IRLWWB
Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Box 112, Kenora, ON P9N 3X1 180 East 5th Street, Suite 700
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55101-1678
The IJC’s (IRLWWB is required (IRLWWB Directive) to recommend Water Quality Objectives for boundary waters, to establish Alert Levels in the basin, to identify potential problems for boundary waters, and to report on these and trends in water quality and Aquatic Ecosystem Health in the basin. The report has been prepared for the IRLWWB by a project team contracted by the IJC and the board is now seeking public comments on Phase I of this project.
At the present time, Water Quality Objectives and Alert Levels exist only for the Rainy River. The need for Water Quality Objectives and Alert Levels is assessed here, to allow reporting on exceedances or trends in water quality and Aquatic Ecosystem Health for the entire watershed.
Phase I of the project identifies recommended parameters associated with Water Quality Objectives and Alert Levels. The individual specific guidelines (e.g. concentrations, loads or other narrative guidelines) associated with proposed Water Quality Objectives and Alert Levels will be established during Phase II. Comments received now will be incorporated into Phase II.
Contact:
Kelli Saunders (Kenora, ON) 807-548-8002 ksaunders@lowwsf.com
Scott Jutila (Saint Paul, MN) (651) 290-5631 Scott.A.Jutila@usace.army.mil