RE: EPA's evolving role - communication is a two-way street.
- Archived: Wed, 18 Jul 2001 18:32:00 -0400 (EDT)
- Date: Wed, 18 Jul 2001 18:30:26 -0400 (EDT)
- From: patricia bonner <bonner.patricia@epa.gov>
- Subject: RE: EPA's evolving role - communication is a two-way street.
- X-topic: Local Issues/Superfund
I'm responding to only a part of your message -- the international question and strictly from personal experience. I spent nearly 11 years (1/1974 - 10/1984)living in Canada while working for the US State Department on environmental matters between the US and Canada at the International Joint Commission. The IJC began in 1909. When EPA was formed, it became the lead agency for the US on most of the international committees and boards. Today you can look at the IJC's website @ http://www.ijc.org and click on the English or French words that then lead you to that version of the site. One of the top pages will provide this about the IJC
"What it is, How it Works Many rivers and some of the largest lakes in the world lie along, or flow across, the border between the United States and Canada. The International Joint Commission assists governments in finding solutions to problems in these waters.
The 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty established the Commission, which has six members. Three are appointed by the President of the United States, with the advice and approval of the Senate, and three are appointed by the Governor in Council of Canada, on the advice of the Prime Minister. The Commissioners must follow the Treaty as they try to prevent or resolve disputes. They must act impartially, in reviewing problems and deciding on issues, rather than representing the views of their respective governments.
The Commission has set up more that 20 boards, made up of experts from the United States and Canada, to help it carry out its responsibilities." here's the URL for the table of contents for the site: http://www.ijc.org/ijcweb-e.html
Now there is also a Tri-Lateral Commission of the US, Canada and Mexico based in Montreal-- the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation.
See http://www.cec.org
and click on the word English (not French or Spanish) to get to
http://www.cec.org/home/index.cfm?varlan=english
a bright and busy page filled with their many activities, including citizen participation. And a free newsletter with easy subscriber sign up at
http://www.cec.org/trio/index.cfm?varlan=english
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