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International Upper Great Lakes Public Interest Advisory Group (PIAG) Begins Its Work

Posted on: Thursday, 2 August 2007, 12:20 CDT

OTTAWA and WASHINGTON, Aug. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Joint Commission is pleased to announce that its International Upper Great Lakes Study (IUGLS) Public interest Advisory Group (PIAG) began its work with its first meeting on July 31 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Drawing primarily on Great Lakes region residents, the PIAG will advise and assist the International Upper Great Lakes Study Board in ensuring that the public interest is given due consideration as the Study proceeds. The U.S. and Canadian Co-Chairs, Kay Felt and Jim Bruce respectively, also serve as full members of the Study Board. Members of the PIAG do not represent their organizations or geographic areas, but serve in their personal and professional capacities in the interests of the people of both countries.

The IJC has regulated Lake Superior outflows since 1914 when it approved the construction of works in the St. Marys River that enabled the development of hydroelectric power plants in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario between Lake Superior and Lake Huron. Since that time, the IJC has had a control board oversee compliance with the order.

The five-year International Upper Great Lakes Study will seek to determine whether the regulation of Lake Superior outflows pursuant to the order and plan can be improved to address the evolving needs of users on Lakes Superior, Huron, Michigan and Erie. Physical changes in the St. Clair River, which forms part of the connecting channel between Lake Huron and Lake Erie, will be investigated early in the study as one factor that might be affecting water levels and flows. Depending on the nature and extent of the physical changes, and their potential impact on water levels and flows, the study may also explore potential remediation options.

A list of the appointees to the Public Interest Advisory Group and its supporting staff is attached.

The International Joint Commission was established by the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 to prevent and resolve disputes over the use of waters shared by the United States and Canada. Its responsibilities include approving the construction and operation of certain projects that change the natural levels and flows of boundary waters to ensure compliance with the terms of the treaty. More information about the IJC and its Study Board, including biographical information for Study Board members, is available online at: http://www.ijc.org/.

------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Member Affiliation Title Nationality ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mary Muter Georgian Bay VP - Air, Water, Canadian Association Environment ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Bill Hryb The Shipping GM - Lakehead Canadian Federation Shipping Co. Ltd. of Canada ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dick Hibma Conservation Chair Canadian Ontario ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jim Anderson Ducks Unlimited Resources Manager Canadian ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Doug Cuddy Lake Superior Retired Canadian Conservancy and Watershed Council ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dr. Alan Steinman The Nature To be provided U.S. Conservancy ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mr. John Jackson Great Lakes Director of Clean Canadian United Production and Toxics Campaign ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Don Marles Lake Superior Chair Canadian Advisory Committee ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Kenneth Higgs Private Citizen Retired Canadian ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mr. Dan Tadgerson Sault Ste. Marie Tribal U.S. Tribe Environmental Manager ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jim Bruce IUGLS Board Co-Chair Canadian ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Kay Felt IUGLS Board Co-Chair U.S. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mr.Roger J.Smithe International U.S. Great Lakes Coalition ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------

INTERNATIONAL JOINT COMMISSION

CONTACT: Frank Bevacqua, Washington, (202) 736-9024; Greg McGillis,Ottawa, (613) 947-1420

Source: PRNewswire

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