IJC to hold public hearings on study of critical sources of phosphorus loadings to Missisquoi Bay
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The International Joint Commission (IJC) is inviting the public to comment on the International Missisquoi Bay Study Board’s final report on phosphorus loadings to Missisquoi Bay on Lake Champlain.

In 2008, the Canadian and U.S. federal governments asked the International Joint Commission (IJC) to help them coordinate initiatives in both countries to reduce phosphorus loadings to Missisquoi Bay. The IJC appointed the International Missisquoi Bay Study Board to help it carry out this request. The study identified specific areas in the Vermont portion of the basin where efforts to control phosphorus runoff would be most cost effective.

In its final report, the Study Board provides recommendations to enhance phosphorus reduction efforts that address a number of issues including the effects of intensive cropping and animal use, phosphorus loads from streambank erosion, the application of local ranking criteria to funding decisions, the need to improve data sharing and availability, and the need for more research on the relationship between phosphorus concentration in soil and phosphorus runoff from agricultural soils.

The public is invited to comment on the report at the following times and locations: St. Armand, Quebec 
May 1, 2012 
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
St. Armand Community Center/
Centre communautaire 
444 Chemin Bradley Swanton, Vermont 
May 2, 2012 
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. 
Village of Swanton Office 
120 First Street Comments may also be submitted at the hearings, on-line, or at either address below: U.S. Section Secretary 
International Joint Commission 
2000 L Street, NW 
Suite #615 
Washington, DC 20036
Fax: 202-632-2007 
Email: Commission@washington.ijc.org Canadian Section Secretary 
International Joint Commission 
234 Laurier Avenue West 
22nd Floor 
Ottawa, ON K1P 6K6 
Fax: 613-993-5583 
Email: Commission@ottawa.ijc.org

The IJC will receive comments until May 18, 2012. The IJC will then consider public comments and review the report before submitting a final report to the federal governments of Canada and the United States.

The IJC prevents and resolves disputes between Canada and the United States under the 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty and pursues the common good of both countries as an independent and objective advisor to the two governments.

Contacts: Washington Frank Bevacqua 202-736-9024 Ottawa Bernard Beckhoff 613-947-1420