[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 226 (Wednesday, November 24, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 68437]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-26050]



[[Page 68437]]

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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 4903]


International Joint Commission Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909

    The International Joint Commission (IJC) will hold public hearings 
on the report of its International Missisquoi Bay Task Force.
    In May of this year, the Canadian and United States federal 
governments asked the 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 the plans 
comply with Article IV of the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909. Article 
IV states, in part, that ``boundary waters and waters flowing across 
the boundary shall not be polluted on either side to the injury of 
health or property on the other.''
    In June, the IJC appointed an International Missisquoi Bay Task 
Force with members from the two federal governments, the state of 
Vermont and province of Quebec. IJC Commissioners and the Task Force 
held public consultation sessions in Saint-Georges-de-Clarenceville, 
Quebec and Swanton, Vermont in August. After reviewing the full range 
of available information, the Task Force reported to the IJC in 
October. Following the scheduled public hearings, the IJC will prepare 
its final report to the governments of the United States and Canada.
    All interested organizations and citizens are invited to speak at 
the public hearings on the Task Force report to be held at the 
following times and locations:

Monday, December 6, 2004 from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Centre des 
Loisirs--1 rue Tourangeau in Saint-Georges-de-Clarenceville, Quebec.
Tuesday, December 7, 2004 from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Missiquoi 
Valley Union High School, 100 Thunderbird Drive, Swanton, Vermont.

    As time will be limited, speakers are encouraged to highlight their 
comments at the public hearings and provide more detailed comments in 
writing. Written comments may also be sent to either address below for 
receipt by January 4, 2005:

Secretary, Canadian Section, 234 Laurier Avenue West, 22nd Floor, 
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 6K6, Fax: (613) 993-5583, Voice: (613) 995-2984, 
Email: [email protected].
Secretary, United States Section, 1250 23rd Street NW., Suite 100, 
Washington, DC 20440, Fax: (202) 467-0746, Voice: (202) 736-9024, 
Email: [email protected].

    The International Joint Commission is an international 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 International 
Missisquoi Bay Task Force Report, may be found on the Commission's Web 
site, at http://www.ijc.org.

    November 17, 2004.
James G. Chandler,
Acting Secretary, United States Section, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 04-26050 Filed 11-23-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-14-P