February 24, 2005

Colin Powell called upon for support

U.S. commission backs Manitoba’s bid for review of Devils Lake project

WINNIPEG

Manitoba’s bid for an international review of the Devils Lake water diversion project has received a boost from the eight U.S. states that are part of the Great Lakes Commission.

In a letter to outgoing U.S. secretary of state Colin Powell, the commission chairman called on him to echo Canada’s request that the water dispute be referred to the International Joint Commission, says the Winnipeg Free Press in a report out of Ottawa.

“We urge you to promptly refer this matter to the International Joint Commission for an independent analysis and to ensure that construction activity is halted until such time that the analysis is completed,” says the Jan. 21 letter from Thomas Huntley.

“Such an action is not only appropriate from an environmental and economic standpoint, but it is in the best interest of strengthening and maintaining positive relations with our Canadian neighbours.”

The International Joint Commission is an independent body that resolves trans-border water issues. It only begins its work if there is a joint request from both countries.

The Great Lakes Commission — made up of representatives from New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Indiana, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois — warns there are a number of potential environmental impacts that need to be examined by the international commission.

“Affected states, as well as the province of Manitoba and the federal government of Canada, have raised a number of concerns that relate to prospective water pollution and invasive species problems,” the letter says.

“We are also concerned that the process to date has not respected the authority of the International Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 and, consequently, has threatened to compromise U.S.-Canada relations on a matter of great interest to both nations.”

Canada and Manitoba have been waiting for almost a year for the United States to agree to review a proposal to create an outlet for Devils Lake in North Dakota. Manitoba fears such a diversion would carry dirty, polluted water into the province via the Red River.

Manitoba Premier Gary Doer said the support from the Great Lakes group could be key to getting Washington to finally agree to a joint submission to the international commission.

“This takes it beyond the Red River Valley and makes it a much bigger issue for Canada and the United States,” Doer said.

Canada formally made a diplomatic request to refer the Devils Lake dispute to the international commission in April and since that time has been waiting for the Americans to agree to that request.

Prime Minister Paul Martin has twice raised the issue with U.S. President George W. Bush.

Earlier this month, a U.S. federal court ordered more study of the environmental impact of a drinking water diversion project in North Dakota which the province believes sets a precedent that could stop the Devils Lake outlet.

The Canadian Press

‘We urge you to promptly refer this matter to the International Joint Commission for an independent analysis and to ensure that construction activity is halted’

Thomas Huntley

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