[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 59 (Tuesday, March 26, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 21166]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-06368]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice: 12361]


International Joint Commission Reference To Address Water 
Pollution in the Elk-Kootenai/y Watershed

AGENCY: International Joint Commission, Department of State.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: By letters dated March 8, 2024, the Governments of Canada and 
the United States provided a reference to the International Joint 
Commission (IJC), requesting that the IJC undertake certain actions 
regarding the impacts of transboundary water pollution in the Elk 
Kootenai/y Watershed. In accordance with the reference, the IJC will: 
assist the Governments of the United States, Canada, and the Ktunaxa 
Nation, along with the States of Montana and Idaho and the Province of 
British Columbia, to establish a governance body and develop a Terms of 
Reference by June 30, 2024 and provide continued advice and assistance 
to that entity for a minimum of two years; and establish a study board 
within six months to conduct transparent and coordinated transboundary 
data and knowledge sharing to support a common understanding of 
pollution within the Elk-Kootenai/y watershed and the impacts of that 
pollution on people and species, culminating in a final report and 
recommendations, including recommendations of areas for further study, 
within two years after the establishment of the study board.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: United States: Ed Virden, 202-372-
7990, ijc.org">edward.virden@ijc.org; Canada: Paul Allen, 613-222-1475, 
ijc.org">paul.allen@ijc.org; General questions, comments, and requests to be 
added to the IJC mailing list: ijc.org">Elk-Kootenai/y_Study@ijc.org.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The International Joint Commission was 
organized in 1911 pursuant to article VII of the treaty of January 11, 
1909, with Great Britain, 36 Stat. 2448. The IJC invites interested 
persons to request to be added to the IJC's mailing list to be kept 
updated on activities with respect to this reference. The IJC will seek 
opportunities for public engagement and will make its reports available 
in a transparent, publicly available format.
    The Elk River rises in the Canadian Rockies and flows into the 
United States at Lake Koocanusa, an impoundment of the Kootenay/
Kootenai River. It then flows through the states of Montana and Idaho, 
and Ktunaxa lands, in route back to the province of British Columbia.
    The reference was provided to the IJC pursuant to Article IX of the 
Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909. Documents related to the reference can 
be found on the IJC website at: https://ijc.org/en/reference-elk-kootenaiy-watershed.
    The International Joint Commission was established under the 
Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 to help the United States and Canada 
prevent and resolve disputes over the use of the waters the two 
countries share. The Commission's responsibilities include 
investigating and reporting on issues of concern when asked by the 
governments of the two countries. For more information, visit the IJC 
website at ijc.org.

Susan E. Daniel,
Secretary, U.S. Section, International Joint Commission, Department of 
State.
[FR Doc. 2024-06368 Filed 3-25-24; 8:45 am]
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