By Mark Scott
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-814545.mp3
Buffalo, NY – Sunday marked the 100th anniversary of the world's first environmental agreement. The Canada-U.S. Boundary Waters Treaty was signed on January 11, 1909, providing a framework for the management of the shared water resources along the border.
In the early 1900s, the sharing of boundary waters between the United States and Canada was a controversial issue. Settlers in Montana and Alberta were building competing canals to divert the waters of two border rivers. So, the two nations came together and reached an agreement to resolve disputes. Kerry Mitchell, a spokeswoman for the Consulate General of Canada in Buffalo, says it's an "uncommonly good treaty."
The treaty led to the creation of the six-member International Joint Commission that regulates boundary waters such as the Great Lakes.
The IJC is responsible for the ice boom that protects power intakes along the Niagara River from being damaged by lake ice. It monitors the operation of the two power entities on both sides of the border. In fact, the IJC suspended water flow tolerances during the August 2005 blackout to maximize hydro-electric power generation.
While Sunday was the official anniversary, Mitchell says a formal centennial celebration will be held on Saturday, June 13th with the Rainbow Bridge as the focal point.
There's already a list of activities at a new web site -- www.oursharedwaters.com. Congresswoman Louise Slaughter is honorary chair of the organizing committee.
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