Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
I've found, over the years, a really important role of the IJC basically is that
they're able to bring people together, experts from many different agencies.
Experts from agencies that don't work very well together, but when they're
working for something like the IJC, they work well together. That's a very
important role that they play. They don't have enough money to do that, but
if they had money, they'd play that role perfectly.
Thus, facilitating binational fora and providing logistical support for binational
collaboration is a clear value-added benefit of the IJC.
The benefits of the traditional governance models of the IJC, however, often
do not translate to the wider public. Because the governance process remains closed
to the public until the final review stages, when public comments are solicited in
open sessions, the benefits of consensus-building have - in years past - rarely trans-
lated to wider civil society. However, in more recent years, the IJC has attempted
to provide more opportunities for public involvement (Clamen, 2014).
As exhibited in the chapters that follow, this continuity and face-to-face
collaboration is an essential component for effective transboundary governance.
The hope is that the Watersheds Initiative's greater local involvement will allow
these strengths to translate to the wider watershed community.
Beyond the reference role: benefits of the Boards
Although a reference is not needed to create an International Watershed Board,
to date, the existing Watershed Boards have all had previous IJC references or
applications. The creation of International Watershed Boards certainly requires
political support both regionally and from the federal government. However, once
a Board is established, it may take on regional projects and studies without seeking
additional references. Interestingly, if governments send the IJC a new reference
the IJC could use an existing Watershed Board. Although some level of coordination
with the IJC is expected - as outlined in the general guidelines of the Watershed
Board - the day-to-day operations may operate largely at the discretion of the
regional actors; independent from the Commission.
There are several advantages to this new model. For one, it allows each IWI
to create a place-based governance structure that caters to the regional nuances of
the watershed community. For example, the needs of the relatively water-abundant
(and marine-focused) Pacific region will clearly be different from those of the more
water-scarce (and irrigation-focused) prairie regions. Another advantage to this new
model is the ability to respond quickly to issues. Rather than waiting for a reference
in order to address a problem, the IJC designed the new boards to sustain
relationships and govern water in times of non-conflict or crisis. When an issue
does arise, however, the established relationships and knowledge of the watershed
system should, theoretically, help the board members identify a solution in a timely
manner. The design of this more “proactive approach” to water governance aims
to foster binational relationships at a watershed level, deter conflict, and encourage
long-term cooperation.
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