The International Elk-Kootenai/y Watershed Study Board is seeking public input through a listening session, and they are inviting the public to participate.
The International Elk-Kootenai/y Watershed Study Board (Study Board) will host a public listening session on August 6, 2025, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Kootenai River Inn and Casino at 7169 Plaza Street in Bonners Ferry. There is no charge, and there is no registration required. The listening session is intended for the Study Board to gather information from those knowledgeable about and residing within the watershed.
According to http://www.ijc.org, Canada and the United States created the International Joint Commission (IJC) because they recognized that each country is affected by the other’s actions in lake and river systems along the border. The two countries cooperate to manage these waters and to protect them for the benefit of today’s citizens and future generations…The IJC has two main responsibilities: approving projects that affect water levels and flows across the boundary and investigating transboundary issues and recommending solutions. The IJC’s recommendations and decisions take into account the needs of a wide range of water uses, including drinking water, commercial shipping, hydroelectric power generation, agriculture, ecosystem health, industry, fishing, recreational boating and shoreline property.
The mission statement of the IJC is simple; “The International Joint Commission prevents and resolves disputes between the United States of America and Canada under the 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty and pursues the common good of both countries as an independent and objective advisor to the two governments.
In particular, the IJC rules upon applications for approval of projects affecting boundary or transboundary waters and may regulate the operation of these projects; it assists the two countries in the protection of the transboundary environment, including the implementation of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement and the improvement of transboundary air quality; and it alerts the governments to emerging issues along the boundary that may give rise to bilateral disputes.”
The Study Board reports directly to the binational International Joint Commission (IJC), but it maintains independence in conducting its work. It is comprised of experts and knowledge holders collaborating to develop a common understanding of water pollution within the Elk-Kootenai/y
watershed and the impacts of that pollution on people and species. The study was launched in September 2024 and will conclude in September 2026.
“The Study Board values the perspectives, knowledge and interests of the people living and working in the Elk-Kootenai/y watershed,” said Oliver Brandes, Canadian Study Board co-chair. “We look forward to hearing from them through these listening sessions and in future opportunities to engage.”
Click the link below to register.
Study Board to host Listening Sessions | International Joint Commission