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ENVI Committee Related Document

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Resolution on the Diversion of waters from Devils Lake in North Dakota, United States into the Sheyenne River and eventually Lake Winnipeg

as adopted by the Environment and Sustainable Development Committee

Whereas the unilateral decision by the State Government of North Dakota to divert waters from Devils Lake into the Sheyenne River and eventually Lake Winnipeg contravenes the Boundary Waters Treaty between Canada and the United States of America;

And whereas, such a contravention would set precedent for future negotiations under the said treaty;

And whereas such negotiations should most properly be reviewed by the International Joint Commission;

And whereas this review has not taken place;

And whereas the Devils Lake Diversion project is scheduled to begin operations in July, 2005;

And whereas the said water diversion may have serious and harmful ecological and economic repercussions in Canada;

Be it resolved that the Standing Committee on the Environment & Sustainable Development urgently calls upon the Government of Canada to immediately exhaust any and all diplomatic and/or legal options available to prevent any water diversion from Devils Lake, North Dakota until the project has been reviewed by the International Joint Commission.