IJC to consult with public on St. Mary and Milk Rivers apportionment
The International Joint Commission (IJC) will hold public consultation sessions at the times and locations listed below to gather information on issues related to the apportionment of water between the United States and Canada from the St. Mary and Milk Rivers.
Monday, July 26,
7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Montana State University-Northern
Ballroom, Student Union Building
300 11th Street West
Havre, Montana
(406) 265-3732
Tuesday, July 27,
7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Malta High School
Auditorium
South 9th Street West
Malta, Montana
(406) 654-2002
Wednesday, July 28,
7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
T-Rex Discovery Centre
Theatre
Eastend, Saskatchewan
(306) 295-4009
Thursday, July 29,
7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Lethbridge Lodge
Ballroom
320 Scenic Drive
Lethbridge, Alberta
(403) 328-1123
Article VI of the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 provides that the measurement and apportionment of water from the St. Mary and Milk Rivers be made by Accredited Officers, one from each country, under the direction of the IJC. In 1921, the IJC issued an Order directing how the measurement and apportionment of these waters would take place.
Within the past year and a half, the IJC received a letter from the State of Montana requesting that the IJC review its 1921 Order. The IJC also received letters from the Provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan that were supportive of the existing Order. This correspondence and other information raise several issues regarding water use and apportionment and planned water projects in the St. Mary and Milk River basins.
All information and views gathered at the public consultation sessions, or in written submissions, will be considered as the Commissioners decide how best to proceed on all of the matters that have been raised in light of its responsibilities under the Treaty regarding the St. Mary and Milk Rivers. The IJC is interested in facts related to water supplies in the basin, current and projected water uses, and any matters regarding the current implementation of the 1921 Order.
As the time for each speaker may be limited, it would be helpful if speakers could provide any detailed comments in writing and be prepared to present a brief summary of those comments to the Commissioners at the consultation sessions. Written comments may also be sent at any time to either of the addresses below:
Secretary, Canadian Section
234 Laurier Avenue West, 22nd Floor
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 6K6
Fax: (613) 993-5583
Email: Commission@ottawa.ijc.org Secretary, United States Section
1250 23rd Street NW, Suite 100
Washington, DC 20440
Fax: (202) 467-0746
Email:Commission@washington.ijc.org
The International Joint Commission was established under the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 to help Canada and the United States prevent and resolve disputes over the use of the waters they share. More information, including the text of the Boundary Waters Treaty, the 1921 Order and otherbackground documents, is available on the IJC’s website at:
Contact: Frank Bevacqua Washington (202) 736-9024 Michelle Tracy Ottawa (613) 995-0088