Press Release
Following receipt of the International Rainy and Namakan Lakes Rule Curves Study Board’s final report in late June, the International Joint Commission will be holding public hearings on its own report.
The IJC’s draft changes relating to the Rainy and Namakan Lakes rule curves are centered on five general themes:
1. Changes to existing rule curves
That Alternative ‘C’ for the rule curves for Rainy and Namakan lakes, which includes a rule curve for high flood risk years for Rainy Lake, should be adopted.
2. An expanded role for the Water Levels Committee of the International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board
The WLC should be empowered to target specific levels outside of the middle portion of the rule curve for each lake.
New operational guidelines are needed for the WLC and further guidance, in the form of a refined directive for the IRLWWB and the WLC, is needed.
3. Adaptive management
The IJC will work with the IRLWWB to determine how best to implement an adaptive management strategy in the medium- and long-term planning and activities of both the IRLWWB and the IJC in the basin.
4. Stakeholder concerns
The views of stakeholders, as heard through the IJC and study board engagement and hearings, will be communicated to governments.
5. Engagement with indigenous communities
The IJC endorses the study board’s recommendations regarding improving engagement and collaboration with tribes, First Nations, and Métis communities.
Commissioners will be present to hear your views at four public hearings throughout the basin from Aug. 16-18.
A public comment period on the IJC’s report also is now open until Sept. 1.
The first public hearing will be held Wednesday, Aug. 16 from 7-9 p.m. at the Fort Frances Public Library Technology Centre (Shaw Room).
Two more will be held Thursday, Aug. 17–from 3-5 p.m. at the Kabetogama Lake Community Centre and then from 7-9 p.m. at the Backus Community Center in International Falls (Room 101/102).
They will wrap up Friday, Aug. 18 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the Recreation Centre in Rainy River.
