[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 136 (Monday, July 16, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41877-41878]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-17260]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 7956]


International Joint Commission; International Joint Commission To 
Hold Public Hearings on Lake Osoyoos

    The International Joint Commission (IJC) is inviting the public to 
comment on recommendations for the renewal of its Lake Osoyoos order. 
The order provides for the regulation of water levels of Lake Osoyoos 
for the benefit of agriculture, tourism, municipal interests, and 
fisheries protection.
    Water levels of Lake Osooyos have been regulated by the IJC since 
1946, when it approved alterations to an existing dam downstream from 
the lake. Under orders of the IJC, a new structure was constructed in 
1987 to replace the dam. The orders set maximum and minimum lake 
elevations of 911.5 and 909 feet during normal years. During a drought 
year, water may be stored to lake elevations as high as 913.0 feet.
    The current Orders of Approval for Lake Osoyoos are set to expire 
on February 22, 2013, unless renewed. The IJC asked its International 
Osoyoos Lake Board of Control (the Board) to present a report of 
recommendations for renewing the Osoyoos Lake Orders. Drawing on the 
results of eight studies commissioned by IJC, the Board recommends that 
the scope of a renewed Order remain limited to the management of lake 
levels with only minor modifications that are primarily related to a 
revised lake-level rule curve (i.e. prescribed lake water level 
elevation limits over time per an IJC Order). The Board also recommends 
that the Commission should encourage the continued cooperation between 
British Columbia and the State of Washington to balance flow needs 
across the International Border and downstream of the dam, while 
respecting goals for Osoyoos Lake elevations and limits on releases 
that are possible from Okanagan Lake.
    The Board recommends a public review of the proposed rule curve. 
The proposed rule curve would provide additional seasonal flexibility 
in achieving targeted lake levels, and would accommodate multiple uses 
and users of the lake. The proposed rule curve would also eliminate 
drought/non-drought declarations and would limit the maximum lake 
levels to 912.5 ft in the summer. More detailed discussion of the 
proposed rule curve and the Board's recommendations on renewal of the 
Order are contained in the Board's Report entitled Recommendations for 
Renewal of the International Joint Commission's Osoyoos Lake Order now 
posted on the IJC Web site at www.ijc.org.
    Commissioners invite the public to comment on the report at the 
following times and locations:
July 24, 2012--7 p.m.
    Oroville High School Commons, 1008 Ironwood St., Oroville, WA.
July 25, 2012--7 p.m.
    Best Western Plus Sunrise Inn, 5506 Main Street, Osoyoos, BC.
    Comments may also be submitted at the hearings, by mail or by email 
at either address below:

U.S. Section Secretary, International Joint Commission, 2000 L Street 
NW., Suite 615, Washington, DC 20036, Fax: 202-632-2007. 
Email: [email protected].
Canadian Section Secretary, International Joint Commission, 234 Laurier 
Avenue West, 22nd Floor, Ottawa, ON K1P 6K6, Fax: 613-993-5583, Email: 
[email protected].
    The IJC will receive comments until August 31, 2012. The IJC will 
then consider public comments and review the report before making a 
decision on renewing the order.
    The IJC prevents and resolves disputes between Canada and the 
United States under the 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty and pursues the 
common good of both countries as an independent and objective advisor 
to the two governments.
    Contacts:
Washington, Frank Bevacqua, 202-736-9024.
Ottawa, Bernard Beckhoff, 613-947-1420.


[[Page 41878]]


    Dated: July 10, 2012.
Charles A. Lawson,
Secretary, U.S. Section, International Joint Commission, Department of 
State.
[FR Doc. 2012-17260 Filed 7-13-12; 8:45 am]
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