January 13, 1998 No. 7

CANADA-U.S. CO-OPERATION EFFECTIVE DURING

RED RIVER FLOODING,

INTERNATIONAL REPORT CONCLUDES

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.

"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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

"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."

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 Boundary Waters Treaty, 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.

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.

The Interim Report is available from the Canadian Section of the IJC at (613) 995-2984.

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Debora Brown

Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs

(613) 995-1851

Media Relations Office

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

(613) 995-1874

This document is also available on the Department's Internet site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca