Transcript Slide 1
International Workshop on Institutional Capacity Development in Transboundary Basins, 10-12 November 2008, Bonn, Germany Governance and Institutional Arrangements in the Great Lakes Basin Dr. Murray Clamen Secretary, Canadian Section International Joint Commission International Workshop on Institutional Capacity Development in Transboundary Basins, 10-12 November 2008, Bonn, Germany Great Lakes cover 250,000 km2 and drain area twice that size Includes all or parts of 8 U.S. states and 2 Canadian provinces Population 35 million (U.S. and Canada) Contain18% of the world’s freshwater supply Coastline 17,000 km Multiple interests Water quality and water quantity management 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty; IJC 1950 Niagara Treaty 1955 Great Lakes Fisheries Convention; GLFC Great Lakes Water Quality Agreements 1972, 1978 and 1987 1985 Great Lakes Charter and Annex 2001 International Workshop on Institutional Capacity Development in Transboundary Basins, 10-12 November 2008, Bonn, Germany International Workshop on Institutional Capacity Development in Transboundary Basins, 10-12 November 2008, Bonn, Germany International Workshop on Institutional Capacity Development in Transboundary Basins, 10-12 November 2008, Bonn, Germany International Workshop on Institutional Capacity Development in Transboundary Basins, 10-12 November 2008, Bonn, Germany International Joint Commission (IJC) Great Lakes Fisheries Commission (GLFC) International Niagara Committee (INC) Binational Executive Committee (BEC) Council of Great Lakes Governors (CGLG) IJC – Applications (Orders of Approval); References; arbitration GLFC – sea lamprey eradication; fishery management research INC – monitors Niagara Falls flows; diversion for power BEC – coordinate federal efforts under GLWQA CGLG - environmentally responsible economic growth International Workshop on Institutional Capacity Development in Transboundary Basins, 10-12 November 2008, Bonn, Germany 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty and the IJC Water Quantity IJC Orders (Lakes Superior and Ontario; Niagara River) – IJC Boards of Control References (regulation; levels; diversions; uses) Water Quality Canada – U.S. GLWQA (1987) - IJC GLRO and IJC Advisory Boards References (1912 pollution; 1946 connecting channels; 1964 lower lakes) Special References – Land use; Upper Lakes; GLWQA Review 1950 Niagara Treaty Diversion of water for hydropower and scenic Falls flows International Niagara Committee (not IJC) – monitors flows for governments 1955 Fisheries Convention and the GLFC Sea lamprey; fishery management Lake Committees and councils International Workshop on Institutional Capacity Development in Transboundary Basins, 10-12 November 2008, Bonn, Germany Structure of International Organizations Structure of International Organizations International Workshop on Institutional Capacity Development in Transboundary Basins, 10-12 November 2008, Bonn, Germany Structure of Governmental Organizations International Workshop on Institutional Capacity Development in Transboundary Basins, 10-12 November 2008, Bonn, Germany Capacity Development Strategies 1909 Treaty and IJC Sound science - scientific basis behind all statements Equality - equal numbers of U.S. and Canadians Neutrality, impartiality, permanence Public - informed public who follow the issues Forum for public participation Engagement of local governments Joint fact finding Networking Cooperation with scientific and nongovernmental organizations Twinning (Africa - Lake Victoria Basin) International Workshop on Institutional Capacity Development in Transboundary Basins, 10-12 November 2008, Bonn, Germany Capacities needing strengthening Sound science – peer review Public – Board membership; participation Forum – Aboriginals/First Nations Engaging local governments – municipal; regional Networking – Foundations, universities, ENGOs Twinning/exchange - increase Secretariats; GLRO – personnel; budgets International Workshop on Institutional Capacity Development in Transboundary Basins, 10-12 November 2008, Bonn, Germany Lessons Learned Legal frameworks (Treaties; Conventions; Agreements) Permanent Secretariats (adequacy of resourcing) Political (support without interference) Sound science (common fact-finding; data sharing) Role of the public (involvement and consultation) Role of States, Provinces, and Municipalities Link water quality and water quantity (ecosystem approach) Communication - regular reporting Accountability International Workshop on Institutional Capacity Development in Transboundary Basins, 10-12 November 2008, Bonn, Germany Strong and Weak Points 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty and IJC -1987 GLWQA 1955 Great Lakes Fisheries Convention and GLFC 1950 Niagara Treaty and INC Permanent Secretariats Governmental commitment (personnel and budgets) Great Lakes organizations (CGLG; GLC; Cities; Industry; academia) Ecosystem sustainable development approach ----------------------------------------------------------------------------Funding (science, research, monitoring and reporting) Accountability Flexibility (Agreements; institutional structure; emerging issues) Involvement (Cities; First Nations; public) International Workshop on Institutional Capacity Development in Transboundary Basins, 10-12 November 2008, Bonn, Germany Applicability Not a model for everyone (two countries with geography; affluence; advanced technologies; expertise) Needs right conditions (political, social, cultural and economic) However if no Agreement promote trust and flexibility through: Data sharing Independent, permanent institutions Sound science; joint fact-finding Public involvement and consultation