EPA
and Canada
The United States and Canada share a 5,100-mile
border across which air and water pollution flow. Both
countries are concerned with control of this pollution,
as well as with protection of shared natural resources,
such as the Great Lakes. EPA is deeply involved in
negotiations between the two countries on transboun-
dary pollution problems, and plays a major role in im-
plementation of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agree-
ment, which the United States and Canada signed in
1972 and renewed in 1978. In addition, the extensive
trade relations between the two countries require
cooperation to minimize potential hazards in the inter-
national movement of toxic chemicals.
A major forum for resolving transboundary pollution
problems is the International Joint Commission, estab-
lished by the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909. Through
the IJC—made up of threeUnited States and three Cana-
dian representatives—the two countries are developing
solutions to such problems as pollution of U.S. air and
water by Canadian power development projects, and
threatened pollution of Canadian waters by the pro-
posed Garrison Diversion Project in North Dakota. EPA
plays an advisory role in formulating IJC-recommended
solutions to these problems.
An important IJC concern is pollution of the Great
Lakes, which contain 20 percent of the world's fresh
water supply. Phosphorus introduced into the lakes
has caused excessive organic growth, resulting in
eutrofication. Drinking water supplies, fisheries, and
other uses of Lake waters have been threatened by such
toxic substances as pesticides, heavy metals, and poly-
chlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The two nations, with ex-
tensive technical assistance from EPA, are trying to
reverse the deterioration of the Lakes. The quality of
Great Lakes waters is gradually being restored,
although serious problems remain, particularly in Lakes
Ontario and Erie.
EPA is represented on the U.S. Canadian Consulta-
tive Group on Long Range Transport of Air Pollutants.
This group was formed in 1978 to coordinate research
on this issue. A particular concern is acid rain, which is
seriously threatening forests and lakes in Ontario Prov-
ince and the northeastern United States. The primary
cause of acid rain is burning of sulfurous fuels, such as
coal.
EPA is actively engaged in Congressionally-mandated
negotiations with Canada seeking an air pollution agree-
ment under which transboundary air pollution problems
can be resolved. These negotiations were initiated in
December, 1978.
Some of the other areas in which EPA and Canada
are working together include:
• Cooperation on the regulation of toxic chemicals, and
harmonization of criteria, testing and evaluation pro-
cedures.
• Development of compatible regulations for toxic and
hazardous waste disposal.
• Development of joint contingency plans to clean up
oil spills in the Great Lakes and coastal waters.
• Regular exchanges of research data concerning air
and water pollution.
• Cooperation and consultation on positions taken in
international forums.
AEPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
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