In late August, IJC Commissioners Allen Olson (US-Section) and Pierre Trépannier (Canada-Section) toured the  south shore of Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River to examine the erosion, flooding and nutrient loading problems of these waters.  This fact finding tour was part of the annual joint meeting of the IJC’s International Rainy Lake Board of Control and the International Rainy River Water Pollution Board. 

Foundation Executive Director Todd Sellers and Ontario’s new Lake of the Woods Coordinator Kelli Saunders participated along with representatives from Minnesota’s Lake of the Woods County Soil and Water Conservation District, US Geologic Survey and members of the IJC’s International Rainy Lake Control Board and the International Rainy River Water Pollution Board. 

During the tour, the Commissioners had an opportunity on the lake to view the erosion of Pine Island (which is disappearing), erosion and flood plain features of the Rainy River and to view areas in Minnesota where the Lake of the Woods Soil and Water Conservation district is working to stabilize shorelines and improve sewage systems.