International Joint Commission Missisquoi Bay Update~Meetings October 12 and 13, 2010 in VT and Quebec

The International Joint Commission (IJC) will hold two public meetings to discuss progress on identifying important land areas contributing to the pollution of Missisquoi Bay. The meetings will be October 12th in Swanton at the Village Municipal Complex (120 First Street) from 7:00 – 9:30 PM starting at 7PM and October 13th in St. Armand at the Community Center (444 Chemin Bradlee) from 6:00 – 8:30 PM.

The sessions have been scheduled by the International Missisquoi Bay Study Board, established by the U.S.-Canadian International Joint Commission in 2008. LCC has been closely involved in shaping the project as it went out to contract. The IJC has been prohibited from funding on-the-ground implementation projects, but is able to use their resources to better determine where such projects will do the most good.

Presenters will provide an overview of progress since fall 2008 to better understand the sources of pollution to the bay. Work planned for the final year of the study and how the $500,000 study fits into the broader efforts to reduce pollution and improve water quality in Missisquoi Bay will also be discussed.

There will be presentations by the Study Board, the Lake Champlain Basin Program, the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Quebec Ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks.

Audience members will have an opportunity to ask questions.

In 2008, the Canadian and U.S. federal governments asked the International Joint Commission to help them coordinate initiatives in both countries to reduce phosphorus loadings to Missisquoi Bay. The commission is a 100-year-old, government-appointed panel that assists the national governments in managing waters along the U.S.-Canadian border. For more information contact Eric Beck at 617-918-1606 or beck.erik@ epa.gov.