International St. Mary and Milk Rivers Study Board Opens Public Comment Period on Final Draft Report
The International St. Mary and Milk Rivers Study Board is inviting the public to comment on its final draft report during a 30-day public comment period, running from July 30 through Monday, August 31, 2026. The Study Board is seeking public input on the final draft report and its recommendations for improving access to and use of apportioned waters in the St. Mary and Milk River basins, which are linked by the St. Mary Canal.
The final draft report is available here, and comments can be submitted here. The public comment period concludes on August 31, 2026.
In addition to the online comment period, the Study Board is holding a series of public meetings in August to hear feedback in-person from attendees. The public meetings will be held at the following locations:
August 4, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. MDT – Best Western Plus Havre Inn & Suites, Havre, Montana (1425 2nd St NW, Havre, MT 59501)
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)
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 these 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