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Description:
The International River Improvements Act prohibits the construction, operation or maintenance of certain international river improvements without a valid license. The Act defines an "international river improvement" as a dam, obstruction, canal, reservoir or other work the purpose of effect of which is to increase, decrease or alter the natural flow of water or affect its actual or potential use outside Canada. It applies to waters which flow across the international boundary from Canada into the United States.

The Act does not apply to projects constructed under authority of an Act of the Parliament of Canada, situated on boundary waters as defined in the Canada-United States Boundary Waters Treaty (1909), or constructed or operated solely for domestic, sanitary or irrigation purposes or other similar consumptive uses.

The Minister of the Environment reports annually to Parliament on operations under the Act.

Regulations:

• International River Improvements Regulations

Contact:

• Director, National Water Issues
  Ecosystems and Environmental Resources
  Environmental Conservation Service
  Environment Canada
  351 St-Joseph Boulevard,
  Hull, Quebec
  K1A 0H3
  Telephone: (819) 953-4007
  Fax: (819) 994-0237
  John.Cooper@ec.gc.ca
  

Links:

• Department of Justice: International River Improvements Act
  Complete text of the act
• Fresh Water Website
  http://www.ec.gc.ca/water/