| Manitoba/US Water Conflicts Escalate | 01 March 06 |
 The Red River Valley Water Supply Project, a $500 million to $1.2 billion water diversion proposal, is North Dakota's latest attempt to resurrect the ill-fated Garrison Diversion Project. The Garrison Diversion, first proposed in the 50's and revived in the 80's, would transfer large amounts of water into the Hudson Bay Drainage Basin from the Missouri River Basin.The International Joint Commission (IJC) studied the Garrison Diversion and in 1977 advised that it should not proceed unless and until the Governments of Canada and US agreed on proven mitigation to eliminate the risk of biota transfer and disease transfer or that those issues were no longer a concern. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Red River Valley Water Supply Project is under review, with public comments received until March 31, 2006. Various options for future water supply in the Red River Valley are listed in the EIS. "We need to see the hundred year old Boundary Water Treaty between Canada and the United States working again, with a joint referral to the International Joint Commission regarding these water supply options," commented Gaile Whelan Enns, director, Manitoba Wildlands. Visit the Red River Valley Water Supply Project and EIS web site Visit the Dakotas Areas Office, Bureau of Reclamation, US Department of the Interior web site Visit the International Joint Commission web site View the February 14, 2006 COC, FOE, and IEN press release Source: Manitoba Eco-Network |
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