Improving Binational Coordination of Response to Environmental Emergencies

The Rainy-Lake of the Woods watershed requires transboundary governance and is vulnerable to environmental emergencies, both of which create a unique challenge for the people and ecosystems that rely on the watershed. To determine the preparedness of regional governance to coordinate a transboundary response to such emergencies, the International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board (IRLWWB) assessed the area Environmental Emergency Planning, Preparedness and Response (EEPPR) in 2019. In a report on their findings, the Board determined that the local, provincial/state, and federal governments in the watershed have substantial capabilities to respond to an environmental emergency. While “no significant gaps” in preparedness were identified, the report recommended governments continue to be willing transboundary partners and should update procedures when necessary.

This project is a second phase and is a review and update of the IRLWWB’s recommendations from its previous EEPPR report and will determine the degree to which relevant emergency plans identify and accommodate the Canada-U.S. Inland Boundary. In particular, the project will examine processes in place to alert cross border communities of emergencies and to ensure coordinated bi-national response/review of emergencies within the international watershed. This process will result in a comprehensive outline of the current legislative/policy/management framework in the watershed. The project will also evaluate the presence of coordinated binational responses in the event of future environmental emergencies. Finally, project work will be used to determine if existing recommendations to governments are still relevant, and if not, provide new recommendations.  

This project expands on the prior IRLWWB report concerning environmental emergency preparedness in the watershed and aligns with the third IWI objective by contributing to the resolution of watershed issues through developing shared solutions and raising any unresolved issues to the International Joint Commission (IJC). Furthermore, this project will generate lessons learned for other IJC boards who also have transboundary transportation of hazardous materials in their watershed. In addition to serving as binational natural and cultural resources, the Rainy River and Lake of the Woods are also home to over 20 First Nations and Tribal communities and two Métis Councils representing several historic Métis communities. These two waterways have and continue to act as significant cultural resources for Indigenous Peoples in the region. Through this IWI project, the resources of these communities will be better protected for the continued use of future generations.