Earlier this month, Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry issued this notice to inform the public of a comment period being held by the Great Lakes – St. Lawrence River Water Resources Regional Body (Regional Body), regarding the Agreement signed by the Great Lakes Premiers and Governors in 2005.
On September 1st, 2017 the Regional Body and Compact Council initiated a collaborative review of the Regional Body Procedures and Compact Council Guidance for Regional Review of proposals brought forward under the Agreement to divert water from the Great Lakes Basin. Ontario is participating in this process as a member of the Regional Body.
The proposed updates are intended to address lessons learned and respond to public, stakeholder, and Indigenous communities’ input heard during the Regional Review process conducted for Waukesha, Wisconsin’s straddling county diversion proposal in 2016. The content of the Agreement itself is not being reviewed.
Ontarians have an opportunity to comment on the proposed updated Regional Body Procedures and Compact Council Guidance and Rules as part of the Regional Body’s public participation process. The Regional Body public comment period is from September 10th to October 10th, 2018.
Stakeholders and the public are encouraged to submit comments submitted directly to the Regional Body through one of the following methods (email, mail, or during an upcoming public hearing) identified on the Regional Body’s website.
After the public comment period closes, the Great Lakes States and Provinces, as part of the Regional Body and Compact Council, will review all of the public input received. Further updates will be made as needed prior to adopting a final version.
For additional information, contact [email protected] or [email protected].
This notice originally appeared on the website of the Ontario Water Works Association.
