IJC Public Hearings on the Rainy and Namakan Lakes Rule Curves August 16-18, 2017

Date

Following receipt of the International Rainy and Namakan Lakes Rule Curves Study Board’s final report in late June, the International Joint Commission will be holding public hearings in the basin on its own report Draft Changes to the Rainy and Namakan Lakes Rule Curves for Public Comment.

The Commission’s draft changes relating to the Rainy and Namakan Lakes Rule Curves are centered on five general themes: 

  1. Changes to existing Rule Curves: Alternative C for the rule curves for Rainy and Namakan lakes, which includes a rule curve for high flood risk years for Rainy Lake, should be adopted.
     
  2. An expanded role for the Water Levels Committee (WLC) of the International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board (IRLWWB): The WLC should be empowered to target specific levels outside of the middle portion of the rule curve for each lake. New operational guidelines are needed for the WLC, and further guidance, in the form of a refined directive for the IRLWWB and the WLC, is needed.
     
  3. Adaptive Management: The Commission will work with the IRLWWB to determine how best to implement an adaptive management strategy in the medium and long term planning and activities of both the IRLWWB and the Commission in the basin.
     
  4. Stakeholder Concerns: The views of stakeholders, as heard through the Commission and Study Board engagement and hearings, will be communicated to governments.
     
  5. Engagement with Indigenous Communities: The Commission endorses the Study Board’s recommendations regarding improving engagement and collaboration with Tribes, First Nations, and Métis communities. 

Commissioners will be present to hear your views at four public hearings throughout the basin from August 16 to 18, 2017. A public comment period on the Commission’s report will also be open from July 24 to September 1, 2017. 

The public hearings will be held at the following locations: 

Wednesday, August 16:

Fort Frances, Ontario
Fort Frances Library – Shaw Hub Room
601 Reid Avenue, Fort Frances, ON  P9A 0A2
7:00pm-9:00pm

 

Thursday, August 17:

Kabetogama, Minnesota
Kabetogama Lake Community Centre
9707 Gamma Road,  Kabetogama, MN  56669                                                                                                                                                                                                    3:00pm-5:00pm

 

Thursday, August 17:

International Falls, Minnesota
Backus Community Centre – Conference Room 101/102
900 5th Street, International Falls, MN  56649
7:00pm-9:00pm

 

Friday, August 18:

Rainy River, Ontario
Rainy River Recreation Centre
302 Broadway Avenue, Rainy River, ON P0W 1L0
9:30am-11:30am

 

Register to attend one or more of these public hearings today at the links above. 

Public input is essential to the Commission’s rendering of a final decision to proceed with the proposed changes to the management of levels and flows of the Rainy and Namakan Lakes, and to the Commission’s perspective on changes to the operations and guidance provided to the Water Levels Committee, engagement with Tribes, First Nations, and Métis, and adaptive management.

The International Joint Commission was established under the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 to help the United States and Canada prevent and resolve disputes over the use of the waters the two countries share. Its responsibilities include investigating and reporting on issues of concern when asked by the governments of the two countries. For more information, visit the Commission's website at www.ijc.org.   
 

For more information: 

Sarah Lobrichon

Ottawa

613-992-5368

lobrichons@ottawa.ijc.org 

Frank Bevacqua

Washington

202-736-9024

bevacquaf@washington.ijc.org