St. Mary & Milk Rivers

International St. Mary and Milk Rivers Study Board to Hold Virtual Webinar and Public Meetings in Summer 2026
Date

The International St. Mary and Milk Rivers Study Board (Study Board) will host a virtual public webinar on July 22, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. MDT to provide an update on the study’s progress and ongoing work in exploring options to improve access to the shared waters of the St. Mary and Milk Rivers. Members of the public will have an opportunity to ask questions and engage directly with Study Board representatives during the webinar.

Those interested in attending must register online. The webinar will be recorded and posted to the Study Board’s website following the event.

Building on this outreach, the Study Board will seek public input in August on its draft report and recommendations concerning options to improve access to and use of apportioned waters in the St. Mary and Milk River basins. Feedback will be gathered through an upcoming public comment period through the month of August and a series of in-person public meetings in communities across the basin.

The public meetings will be held at the following locations:

  1. August 4, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. MDT – Best Western Plus Havre Inn & Suites, Havre, Montana (1425 2nd St NW, Havre, MT 59501)
  2. August 5, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. MDT – Milk River Civic Centre, Milk River, Alberta (321 3 Ave NE, Milk River, AB T0K 1M0)
  3. August 6, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. MDT – Excite Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta (101 Exhibition Wy S, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4R3)

No registration is required to attend the in-person meetings.

The meetings will provide stakeholders, Indigenous Peoples, water users, and interested members of the public with an opportunity to learn about the study findings, ask questions, and provide feedback before the Board finalizes its recommendations to the International Joint Commission in fall 2026.

Background

  • The International Joint Commission’s (IJC) International St. Mary and Milk Rivers Study was established in November 2021 to explore options for improving access to apportioned waters for both countries, recognizing the impacts of climate change and ongoing apportionment challenges since the original 1921 Order was issued.
  • The Study Board is scheduled to conclude its work in fall 2026, when it submits its final report and recommendations to the International Joint Commission.

Associated Links


Contact

Sarah Lobrichon            Canadian Section          sarah.lobrichon@ijc.org              613-794-8592

Edward Virden                US Section                      edward.virden@ijc.org               (202) 372-7990


General Inquiries: smmr@ijc.org