The International Joint Commission, Sustainability, and

Great Lakes Water: A Historical Appraisal

Dr. Daniel MacfarlaneEnvironmental and Sustainability Studies

Western Michigan University

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Canada-US Border Watersheds

Diversions in/out of Great Lakes Basin

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IJC Dockets• of the 50 cases (dockets) handled by the

commission prior to 1944, 39 were applications for approval of specific works under the quasi-judicial power of article VIII, and only 11 were references under article IX, the investigative function.

• between 1944 and 1979 there were 35 references and 20 applications

• between 1979 and 2012 there were 12 references and 3 applications

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St. Lawrence Seaway and Power Project

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• 27 foot depth channel; 15 locks; 4 dams (2 producing hydro power)

• Power project: Power Authority of the State of New York (PASNY) & Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario (HEPCO or Ontario Hydro)

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Lake St. Lawrence

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Niagara

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Horseshoe Falls

Long Lac & Ogoki diversions

GRAND & NAWAPA