DRAFT - Review of Environmental Emergency Planning, Preparedness and Response in the Boundary Waters of the Rainy-Lake of the Woods Drainage Basin
The International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board (IRLWWB) is charged with monitoring and reporting on the ecological health of the Lake of the Woods and Rainy Lake boundary waters aquatic ecosystem, including water quality; coordinating the management of water levels and flows on Rainy and Namakan Lakes, and assisting the Commission in preventing and resolving disputes regarding the boundary waters of the Lake of the Woods and Rainy River watershed.
In response to concerns raised by the Board’s Community Advisory Group of increased transport of hazardous materials such as petrochemicals by rail in the region and specifically across the border at Fort Frances, ON and Rainer, MN; the IRLWWB initiated a review to:
- assess whether appropriate plans and procedures are in place to respond to an environmental emergency in a coordinated fashion across borders and if they are not,
- develop recommendations to the International Joint Commission for consideration for transmittal to the two federal governments