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We have some great news to tell you about Lake of the Woods water quality protection.
Canada and the United States of America have signed an International Joint Commission Reference for Lake of the Woods water quality. The IJC will announce this officially in the next couple of days.
Our Foundation has been working for nearly six years to have our Governments unite to bring in the IJC to provide the long term framework for international coordination of water quality research, monitoring and management on Lake of the Woods, through its International Watershed Initiative program. We are ecstatic that our two national Governments have agreed with us and taken this major step forward for the future of our lake.
Last year, the Provinces of Ontario and Manitoba united with our Foundation in support of this initiative. Last month, Minnesota signed on as well when Governor Tim Pawlenty signed a bill supporting our Foundation's request to bring in the IJC for Lake of the Woods Water Quality. In June, Members of the Parliament of Canada debated a motion calling for an International Joint Commission Reference for Lake of the Woods water quality. The motion, introduced by Kenora MP Greg Rickford, received congratulations and support of all political parties in recognition of the importance of working together to protect our great lake.
We expect the IJC to establish a study panel to make recommendations for pollution monitoring and bi-national management of water quality of Lake of the Woods. As part of this, we expect the Commission to roll out a series of consultation meetings later this summer to hear from all of us, about our concerns for protecting the quality of Lake of the Woods waters. Our Foundation will of course be involved in these meetings.
This is a great day for our Lake and its future. We'll keep you informed about this as the IJC begins to take on the task that the Governments have set for it.
Todd Sellers
Executive Director
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