GLIN==> FW: IJC notes risk that pipelines pose to boundary waters

International Joint Commission notes greater attention should be devoted
to potential releases of hazardous liquids from pipelines


In letters
<http://www.ijc.org/rel/news/2010/Letter%20to%20Gov%20%20August%206%2020
10.pdf>  sent to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Secretary of
State, the International Joint Commission (Commission) highlighted the
potential ecological and economic costs that could arise if a large
release of hazardous polluting substances were to occur in our shared
waters. "The rupture of the Enbridge pipeline caused the release of some
800,000 gallons of crude oil, with much of it leaking into a tributary
of the Kalamazoo River, which flows to Lake Michigan." 

This pipeline failure raises questions about the integrity of this vast
network and reminds us of the potential consequences a spill could have
on both countries. In response to this significant and damaging
incident, the Commission reiterates the importance of the findings in
its 2006 Report on Spills in the Great Lakes Basin. Specifically, it
notes that better monitoring, accurate detection and speedy notification
are required to reduce harmful human and ecosystem impacts. 

"This oil leak is a reminder of the huge ecological costs associated
with an industrial release of such magnitude, not to mention the
associated economic cost," said the Hon. Joe Comuzzi, Canadian Chair.

"The Commission urges federal, state, and local governments to take
every safeguard and precaution available to prevent future spills and to
ensure rapid response plans are in place," said U.S. Chair Lana Pollack.
"While the response to our previous recommendations has been in the
right direction, clearly much more needs to be done to make sure an
ecological tragedy like this never happens again."

The Commission recognizes that pipelines, along with gas and oil
drilling, pose a risk to boundary waters and is in the process of
gathering further information to provide more specific recommendations
to protect the Great Lakes. The findings may be applicable to other
shared waters. 

The International Joint Commission prevents and resolves disputes
between the United States of America and Canada under the 1909 Boundary
Waters Treaty and pursues the common good of both countries as an
independent and objective advisor to the two governments.

Contact

Ottawa

Bernard Beckhoff <mailto:beckhoffb at ottawa.ijc.org> 

(613) 947-1420

Washington

Frank Bevacqua <mailto:bevacquaf at washington.ijc.org> 

(202) 736-9024

 

 

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