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Governments of the United States and Canada commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty

January 11, 2009 marks the 100th anniversary of the signing of the 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty.

The US Department of State, Foreign Affairs Canada and the International Join commission have issued the following statements in recognition of the Treaty and the work of the Commission's stewardship in facilitating cooperation and preventing and resolving water-related disputes:

Statement by Minister Cannon Marking 100th Anniversary of Boundary Waters Treaty

Statement by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice

Statement by the Commissioners of the International Joint Commission

Review of the Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Order of Approval

The International Joint Commission is reviewing water levels and flows regulation for the Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River system. After considering public comment on a draft proposal released in March, 2008, Commissioners have concluded that regulation should be based on a revised set of goals and criteria aimed at more natural flows while respecting other interests. It has proposed a one-year process to resolve outstanding issues and obtain the concurrence of the federal governments.

International Upper Great Lakes Study

The International Joint Commission appointed the International Upper Great Lakes Study Board in February 2007 to examine whether the regulation of Lake Superior outflows can be improved to address the evolving needs of the upper Great Lakes.

IJC recommends a new Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement for the 21st century

In a special report released in 2006 (view report in PDF), the IJC recommended that the two federal governments replace the current Agreement with a more action-oriented document. (More)

MISSION STATEMENT

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.

In particular, the Commission rules upon applications for approval of projects affecting boundary or transboundary waters and may regulate the operation of these projects; it assists the two countries in the protection of the transboundary environment, including the implementation of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement and the improvement of transboundary air quality; and it alerts the governments to emerging issues along the boundary that may give rise to bilateral disputes.

International Joint Commission 2007 Annual Report

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