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<title>CANADA-U.S. CO-OPERATION EFFECTIVE DURING RED RIVER FLOODING,INTERNATIONAL REPORT CONCLUDES</title>
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<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">January 13, 1998 No. 7</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">CANADA-U.S. CO-OPERATION EFFECTIVE DURING </font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">RED RIVER FLOODING,</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">INTERNATIONAL REPORT CONCLUDES</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy welcomed today the Interim Report on Red
River flooding prepared by a special task force of the International Joint
Commission (IJC). The Canadian and U.S. governments requested the IJC's
assessment in May 1997, in the wake of the disastrous effects of the Red River
flood in 1997 on the citizens of Manitoba, North and South Dakota, and Minnesota.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"I look forward to meeting U.S. Secretary of State Albright later this winter,
and I intend to review with her the interim recommendations that will bring the
most practical benefit to Canadians," said Minister Axworthy.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The Interim Report concludes that co-operation between Canada and the United
States was effective during the flood, as were the pre-flood emergency
preparedness measures. The report also notes some 40 improvements that it
recommends can be instituted in the short-term and permanently adopted by the
governments and agencies involved.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The report highlights the importance of a basin-wide, cross-border approach.
Canada will initiate discussions with the United States on permanent emergency
measures to facilitate the cross-border transfer of emergency equipment and
personnel, better sharing of forecasting information, the establishment of
virtual modelling of floodwater flows, and the prevention of groundwater
contamination.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">For example, virtual modelling of floodwater will help to predict overland flows,
thus increasing the potential for fine-tuning flood-mitigation and flood-proofing
measures in vulnerable localities. Canada has much experience in geomatics, which
can be linked with expertise from throughout the Red River basin.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The report further noted that any new flood-mitigation and flood-proofing
measures taken on either side of the border, whether by government or
individuals, should be co-ordinated and examined to determine possible damage to
others within the basin.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"I will also immediately initiate discussions with the province and my Cabinet
colleagues, the Ministers of National Defence, Environment, Agriculture, Western
Diversification and Transport Canada, about implementing the report's
recommendations as rapidly as possible," said Mr. Axworthy. "For example, on
managing hazardous wastes, the report recommends a public awareness campaign,
perhaps in partnership with industry and farm associations, and compiling an
inventory of potential sources of contamination."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The IJC is an independent binational body overseeing co-operation between Canada
and the United States on issues of transboundary water management and quality. It
was established under the 1909 <em>Boundary Waters Treaty</em>, and is the cornerstone of
Canada-U.S. co-operation on the environment along the shared border. The IJC has
authority to issue orders of approval for use, diversion or obstruction of waters
that flow along the boundary, and on certain rivers crossing the boundary, in
cases where natural water levels and flows may be affected.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The report has been submitted to the Governments of Canada and the United States,
and has been shared with Manitoba, North and South Dakota, and Minnesota. The
IJC's current terms of reference call for the final report by the end of 1998.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The Interim Report is available from the Canadian Section of the IJC at (613)
995-2984.</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Courier">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Debora Brown</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-1851</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</font></p>
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