International Joint Commission
| Commission mixte internationale | |
| Abbreviation | IJC |
|---|---|
| Motto | "More than a century of cooperation protecting shared waters" |
| Formation | 1909 |
| Purpose | Settling of disputes related to boundary waters |
|
Chairpersons
|
 Gordon Walker Lana Pollack |
| Website | ijc |
The International Joint Commission (French: Commission mixte internationale) is a bi-national organization established by the governments of the United States and Canada under the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909. Its responsibilities were expanded with the signing of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement of 1978 (later amended 1987 and 2012).
The purpose of the Commission is to help prevent and resolve disputes about the use and quality of boundary waters and to advise Canada and the United States on questions about water resources. It was consulted for decades during the development of the St. Lawrence Seaway, and the many bridges that have been constructed as international border crossings over the St. Lawrence River and other waterways. The Commission holds public meetings every two years.
Since the late 20th century, it has regularly discussed progress in cleaning up environmental problems of the Great Lakes, as well as issues related to commercial and recreational use of boundary rivers and trans-national rivers. It also sponsors conferences, meetings and round-table discussions, in which members of the public and representatives of community groups and other organizations can take part.
The Commission can alert governments to emerging issues along the border. Its recommendations to the Canada and United States governments are not binding, although they are usually accepted by both governments.
The Commission has jurisdiction over the Great Lakes–Saint Lawrence River waters and other waters along the border. In the west, the Commission established conditions for dams on the Kootenay, Okanogan, and Columbia rivers, which cross through the states of Washington, Idaho and Montana, and the province of British Columbia. The Commission has also assisted in drafting rules for sharing the St. Mary and Milk rivers in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Montana.
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