International Missisquoi Bay Task Force
Completed in 2004, the International Missisquoi Bay Task Force was established to examine and report to the IJC on questions regarding possible transboundary implications on the Alburg-Swanton Bridge, which crosses the waters connecting Missisquoi Bay with the rest of Lake Champlain in the State of Vermont.
By letters dated May 7, 2004 and May 11, 2004, respectively, the Canadian and United States federal governments asked the International Joint Commission (IJC) to review plans by the State of Vermont to modernize the Alburg-Swanton Bridge, involving the partial removal of the existing causeway, and to provide advice on whether this complies with the terms of the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 as concerns causing pollution to the injury of health or property in Canada or the United States. The residents of the region have expressed great concern with regards to the quality of the water and people's health.
he request from governments was made as a reference under Article IX of the Boundary Waters Treaty. While further discussions between the IJC and the governments may refine the issues to be examined, the governments asked that the IJC review consider the following matters:
- Whether the original causeway in the United States affects water levels/flows in Canada;
- Whether the original causeway in the United States causes pollution to the injury of health or property in Canada;
- Whether the removal of the original causeway in the United States might cause pollution to the injury of health or property in the United States; and
- Whether the proposed project in the United States will cause pollution to the injury of health or property in Canada.