About the IMA
An Intenational Multi-Agency Working Arrangement (IMA) is a framework within which partners and stakeholders can actively engage in coordinated activities to help protect and restore water quality in LOW.
The purpose of the IMA is to foster trans-jurisdictional coordination and collaboration on science and / or management activities to enhance / restore water quality in the Lake of the Woods Water Watershed (Lake of the Woods and Rainy River Basins). The focus is on:
- Factors influencing algae blooms on Lake of the Woods
- Nutrient loading to the Winnipeg River, Lake Winnipeg and Lake of the Woods
- Shoreline erosion issues in the south basin of Lake of the Woods
- Science and support for the development of a Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Plan
Who is involved in the IMA?
Nine organizations signed on as members of the IMA on May 22, 2009:
- Environment Canada
- Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation
- Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
- Ontario Ministry of the Environment
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- Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
- Manitoba Water Stewardship,
- Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians
- United States Environmental Protection Agency
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Each of these organizations have designated individuals to sit on the IMA Work Group that administers the IMA and also on a Technical Advisory Committee that advises the Work Group and develops and implements joint work plans for research and monitoring activities.
Objectives of the IMA
The objectives of the IMA are to establish information exchange and joint cooperative mechanisms in areas related to transboundary environmental impacts between Ontario, Manitoba, Canada, Minnesota, the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians and the United States by:
- Promoting sharing of information and expertise on transboundary environmental impacts;
- Where applicable, defining joint projects and actions to mitigate or prevent transboundary pollution;
- Where appropriate, jointly implementing measures to prevent transboundary environmental impacts;
- Sharing information in the event of any incident of natural or accidental origin that may have the potential to cause adverse transboundary environmental impacts;
- Sharing scientific expertise about the natural environment, biodiversity and other relevant information and data of the watershed with a view toward encouraging the sustainable development of environmental resources;
- Sharing information on major undertakings proposed in the LOW Watershed; and
- Implementing consultation and coordination mechanisms to promote cooperation and dialogue provided for in this Working Arrangement among members of the Group.
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