IJC asked to coordinate phosphorus reduction in Missisquoi Bay

The Governments of Canada and the United States have asked the International Joint Commission (the Commission) to coordinate initiatives in both countries to reduce phosphorus loading to Missisquoi Bay on Lake Champlain.

"We are pleased to take on this important binational work, which builds upon the Commission's earlier examination of the causes of elevated phosphorus levels in Missisquoi Bay," said U.S. Section Chair Irene Brooks.

"The Commission has been following the issues surrounding phosphorus loading in Missisquoi bay for several years now, and is pleased to contribute to this initiative to improve the quality of shared waters, in cooperation with the Province of Quebec and the State of Vermont" said Canadian Section Chair Herb Gray.

In identical letters to the Commission, the governments wrote that: "In accordance with Article IX of the Boundary Waters Treaty, the Governments of Canada and the United States request that the International Joint Commission assist in the implementation of this complementary transboundary initiative to reduce phosphorus loading. Recognizing the recent advances made by the Province of Quebec within its areas of jurisdiction, the Commission is requested to coordinate the following tasks on the US side of the border, in close partnership with the Lake Champlain Basin Program."

A copy of one of the two full letters from each respective government is attached.

More information is available at: www.ijc.org.

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