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MEDIA RELEASE
April 18, 2006
International St. Mary-Milk Rivers Administrative Measures Task Force Releases Report and Announces Public Meetings
The International St. Mary-Milk Rivers Administrative Measures Task Force (Task Force) today released its report on potential administrative options for improving the performance of the apportionment of the St. Mary and Milk rivers between Canada and the United States. The Task Force was established by the IJC in December 2004 to examine whether the existing administrative procedures can be improved to ensure more beneficial use and optimal receipt by each country of its apportioned waters within the terms of the 1921 Order. This effort came about in response to a request by the Governor of Montana that the IJC review its 1921 Order for the purpose of determining whether or not it is successfully meeting the intent of the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 (Treaty).
The St. Mary River flows north from Montana into Alberta, whereas the Milk River flows from Montana into southern Alberta and then back into Montana. Water from the two rivers (which are linked by the U. S. St. Mary canal) is used extensively for irrigation, municipal, and environmental purposes on both sides of the border.
The Task Force will accept written comments on their report until June 30, 2006. Comments should be mailed to one of the two contacts listed below or submitted in person at either of the two scheduled public meetings. Task Force will hold public meetings at the following two locations:
ATC Auditorium
MSU Northern
300 West 11th Street
Havre, Montana
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
7:00pm - 9:00pm |
Lethbridge Lodge and
Convention Center
320 Scenic Drive
Alberta, Canada
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
7:00pm - 9:00pm |
The report is available on the IJC website at www.ijc.org and hard-copies can be obtained by contacting either of the individuals listed below:
Ross Herrington, P. Eng.
Senior Water Policy Advisor
Environmental Conservation Branch
Environment Canada
Room 300, 2365 Albert Street
Regina, SK S4P 4K1
Phone: 306-780-3883 |
Daniel Jewell, P. E.
Area Manager
Montana Area Office
U. S. Bureau of Reclamation
2900 4th Avenue North, Suite 501
P. O. Box 30137
Billings, MT 59107-0137
Phone: 406-247-7664 |
The IJC was established under the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 to help prevent and resolve disputes over the use of waters shared by the United States and Canada. Under Article VI of the Treaty, Accredited Officers appointed by the two countries measure and apportion the waters of the St. Mary and Milk rivers in accordance with the IJC's Order of 1921.
More information is available online, including the directive to the Task Force and public comment pertaining to the St. Mary and Milk rivers, on the IJC's website at www.ijc.org (Boards > Current task forces > International St. Mary and Milk Rivers Administrative Measures Task Force).
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