International Response

Background: International Joint Commission

The International Joint Commission (IJC) is a bi-national organization that was created under the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 to advise the governments of the United States and Canada on issues concerning water quality and quantity in the boundary waters between the two nations. The IJC monitors and assesses cleanup progress under the Treaty and advises governments on matters related to the quality of the boundary waters of the Great Lakes system. The Commission consists of six members, three appointed by the President of the United States, and three appointed by the Prime Minister of Canada.

  • Joint Contingency Plans

    There are three Joint Contingency Plans between the U.S. and Canada that affect Region 5, CANUSCENT and CANUSPLAIN in the Inland Zone, and CANUSLAK on the waters of the Great Lakes and upper St. Lawrence River. All three plans provide instructions for dealing with accidental and unauthorized releases of pollutants that cause or may cause damage to the environment along the international boundary and that may constitute a threat to the public health, property, or welfare. The links below will lead you to these plans:

  • Specific Area Plans

    There is one Specific Area Plan covers areas of both the U.S. and Canada. This plan provides instructions for dealing with accidental and unauthorized releases of pollutants that cause or may cause damage to the environment along the international boundary. The links below will lead you to this plan:

Joint Contingency Plans

Canada–United States Joint Inland Pollution Contingency Plan

This 2022 plan sets forth cooperative measures for dealing with a release of a pollutant along the inland boundary of a magnitude that causes, or may cause, damage to the environment or constitutes a threat to public safety, security, health, welfare, or property.

CANUSCENT

Annex III to the Canada-United States Joint Inland Pollution Contingency Plan (JICP)

CANUSLAK

Great Lakes Operational Supplement to the Canada-United States Joint Marine Pollution Contingency Plan (JMCP)

CANUSPLAIN

Annex II to the Canada-United States Joint Inland Pollution Contingency Plan (JICP)

Specific Area Plans

Lake of the Woods Area Plan

Annex to the Central & Arctic Regional Chapter