Cool Stuff Shared water and good neighbors By Jana Eisenberg From June 5 through 14, a series of events celebrates the centennial anniversary of the Boundary Waters Treaty, a historic 1909 pact between the Canadian and United States governments to protect the 8,000 kilometers (that’s about 4,971 miles) of shared waters—lakes and rivers mostly—between the two countries. Anniversary activities include outdoor events, seminars, workshops, film screenings, fireworks, music, and the launch of a water-related Canadian postage stamp; there is truly something for everyone that week. In fact, 2009 has been proclaimed the “Year of Our Shared Waters” by the International Joint Commission (IJC), which oversees the treaty. A full schedule of events is available at www.oursharedwaters.com, or by calling 858-9581. The treaty is considered prescient in that, while it was not specifically “environmental” in the modern definition, it includes environmental provisions. It decreed that treaty decisions would cause “no injury to people and waters.” Recently, the IJC stated: “As population growth, climate change, pollution, and aquatic invasive species place new stresses on transboundary ecosystems, reliable structures for cooperation like … the Boundary Waters Treaty [are] more important than ever, both between Canada and the United States, and abroad.” The events planned for June 5–14 are designed to bring people of the Niagara region together at and around the waters we share. This region was chosen because of its incredibly rich and valuable resources. Indeed, Niagara, with its hydropower generation potential, was one of only two regions specifically mentioned in the treaty. Kerry Mitchell, public affairs manager for the Canadian Consulate General based here in Buffalo, feels that the centennial is a chance to viscerally explore and literally share in this celebration of rights and access that we may sometimes take for granted. “The Boundary Waters Treaty Centennial is an opportunity to do a number of things at once. The cross-border group known as the Niagara 10 took up the initiative to have it all happen locally,” Mitchell says. “The centennial promotes the region and recognizes our shared water heritage. It’s an important time for the two countries to recognize how this issue’s different twists are showing themselves to be some of today’s greatest challenges. “There is a lot of stewarding that needs to take place to shepherd this extraordinary resource that many would—and do—die for,” she says. Her advice to you: “Get down to the water’s edge, and enjoy and explore our region…” Events take place in Buffalo, Lewiston, Niagara Falls (NY and ON), and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Check oursharedwaters.com for a complete schedule. Jana Eisenberg is a frequent Spree contributor. SUBSCRIBE NOW Back to the Table of Contents Back to Top