[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 112 (Thursday, June 10, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 32655]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-13194]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 4733]


International Joint Commission; Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909

    By letters dated May 7, 2004, and May 11, 2004, respectively, the 
Canadian and United States federal governments asked the International 
Joint Commission (IJC) to review plans by the State of Vermont to 
modernize the Alburg-Swanton Bridge, involving the partial removal of 
the existing causeway, and to provide advice on whether this complies 
with the terms of the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 as concerns 
causing pollution to the injury of health or property in Canada. The 
Alburg-Swanton Bridge is wholly located in Vermont and crosses the 
waters connecting Missisquoi Bay with Lake Champlain.
    The request from governments was made as a reference under Article 
IX of the Boundary Waters Treaty. While further discussions between the 
IJC and the governments may refine the issues to be examined, the 
governments asked that the IJC review include:
    1. Whether the original causeway affects water levels/flows in 
Canada;
    2. Whether the original causeway in the U.S. causes pollution to 
the injury of health or property in Canada;
    3. Whether the removal of the original causeway in the U.S. might 
cause pollution to the injury of health or property in the United 
States; and
    4. Whether the proposed project in the U.S. will cause pollution to 
the injury of health or property in Canada.
    The governments have asked the IJC to complete its review by the 
end of summer. The IJC anticipates holding public hearings on this 
matter at dates and locations to be announced in the local news media 
and on the IJC's Web site.
    In addition to the public hearings, the IJC invites all interested 
parties to submit written comment over the course of this investigation 
to the addresses below: Secretary, Canadian Section, 234 Laurier Avenue 
West, 22nd Floor, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 6K6, Fax: (613) 993-5583, E-mail: 
[email protected]. Secretary, United States Section, 1250 23rd 
Street, NW., Suite 100, Washington, DC 20440, Fax: (202) 467-0746, E-
mail: [email protected].
    The International Joint Commission is a binational Canada-U.S. 
organization established by the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909. It 
assists the governments in managing waters along the border for the 
benefit of both countries in a variety of ways including examining 
issues referred to it by the two Federal governments.
    More information, including the full text of the governments' 
letters of reference, may be found on the Commission's Web site, at 
http://www.ijc.org.

    Dated: June 1, 2004.
Elizabeth C. Bourget,
Secretary, United States Section, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 04-13194 Filed 6-9-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-14-P