The International Red River Board will meet in Devils Lake Tuesday and Wednesday to tour the flooded basin and to discuss issues among federal, state and Canadian provincial agencies, as well as local organizations.
The meetings will be held at the Ramsey County Courthouse, 524 4th Ave., Devils Lake.
The International Red River Board is an independent bi-national group established by the International Joint Commission under the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909.
The IRRB assists the IJC in preventing or resolving trans-boundary disputes regarding the waters and aquatic ecosystem of the Red River and its tributaries and aquifers shared by Canada and the United States.
The IRRB provides a forum for the identification and resolution of existing and emerging trans-boundary water-related issues and by recommending appropriate strategies concerning water quality, quantity and ecosystem health objectives.
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The IRRB meets biannually in the Red River Basin. The last meeting, in 2007, was held in Detroit Lakes, Minn.
IRRB members, along with local and state officials will take an aerial tour of the Devils Lake Basin this morning, and a bus tour Wednesday afternoon.
Today's public session begins at 10:15 a.m., with the following topics:
n North Dakota Department of Health. State of water quality in Devils Lake and Sheyenne River.
n U.S. Geological Survey. Research on sulfates and hydrologic trends -- likelihood of a natural overflow.
n N.D. State Water Commission. Increased pumping capacity of the state-owned Devils Lake Outlet and potential effects of a natural overflow.
n U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Discussion of effects of a natural overflow.
n Environment Canada. Canadian federal concerns.
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n Manitoba Water Stewardship. Manitoba concerns.
Other topics include:
n Invasive species: zebra mussels and others found in the Red River Basin.
n Fargo-Moorhead Metro flood risk management feasibility study.
n Update on the Red River Valley Water Supply Project.
Public comments will be allowed Wednesday, from 10:30 a.m. to noon.
Reach Bonham at (701) 780-1110; (800) 477-6572, ext. 110; or send e-mail to kbonham@gfherald.com .
