Staff
Feedback and background information—but no recommendations yet—are outlined in an interim report released last week by the International Lake of the Woods and Rainy River Watershed Task Force.
The International Joint Commission (IJC) established the task force last year after a request from both the Canadian and U.S. governments for advice on addressing present and future water quality and quantity, and related issues, for the Rainy River and Lake of the Woods watershed.
Since then, the task force has been holding public meetings, established a citizens’ advisory group (comprised of 38 representatives from both sides of the border), and undertaken consultations throughout the region.
“The task force characterized its main tasks as reviewing the ways that Canada and the United States work together to manage water quality, water quantity, and related issues in the watershed, identifying gaps in the current approach, identifying key existing or emerging issues that require attention, and recommending any new or adjusted governance mechanisms that would help address the identified future needs,” the interim report noted.
Much of the report outlines the background behind the creation of the task force, the process undergone so far, and synopses of current authorities, organizations, and relevant efforts underway when it comes to the area’s watersheds.
It also identified issues that have been brought forth so far in the process.
“[People] in the watershed have many and varied issues with water management,” the report noted.
“The task force continues to compile others and will note those most frequently expressed and those of high priority for the final report,” it added.
A section of the report also outlines possible governance options when it comes to binational management of the Rainy River and Lake of the Woods watershed.
At this point, the report makes no specific recommendation, but noted there is a spectrum of options—ranging from keeping the status quo to creating an international watershed board, or various options in between these two.
The complete 83-page report is available online at http://www.ijc.org/conseil_board/rainy_river_watershed/
Further public meetings of the task force are slated April 5-7 at 7 p.m. in Warroad, Orr, and Sioux Narrows, respectively, to receive comments on its interim report, as well as further issues concerning the watershed task force should consider.
A draft final report is anticipated for May, including draft recommendations for binational governance structures and mechanisms.
Following the release of this draft report, additional public meetings are anticipated, with a final report and recommendations to be made to the IJC by July 15.
