Public Hearing on Souris River Operations

Summary#

This Canada Gazette entry (Part I, Vol. 155, No. 42, published October 16, 2021) lists abridged postings by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission and announces a public hearing and comment period by the International Joint Commission on the International Souris River Study Board’s report. The IJC is asking for public input on possible changes to how reservoirs and dams are operated in the Souris River basin; the virtual hearing is on November 3, 2021 and written comments are accepted until November 15, 2021.

What it does#

• Notes that the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission posts abridged versions of decisions, notices, and filings on its website and lists a recent notice and three decisions. The notice of consultation (No. 2021-337) was published October 5, 2021 with a filing deadline of November 4, 2021.
  • Recent decisions listed name applicants: Rogers Media Inc., Sur Sagar Radio Inc., and Carlsbad Springs Community Association (with radio undertakings in British Columbia and Ontario).
• Announces that the International Joint Commission will hold a virtual public hearing on the International Souris River Study Board’s report on managing water supply and flood control in the Souris River basin.
  • The hearing is on November 3, 2021 (virtual). Written comments are accepted until November 15, 2021.
  • The Study Board reviewed the 1989 Agreement for water supply and flood control and found it generally works well but identified five alternative measures for further study. The measures under consideration include:
    • Adding flexibility to winter reservoir targets by varying them with basin moisture (modify Winter Drawdown Elevation Targets).
    • Extending the Winter Drawdown Date from February 1 to March 1 to provide more river flow in late winter.
    • Lowering Spring Maximum Flow Limits to reduce flood peaks for smaller to moderate floods (roughly 57–85 m3/s or 2 000 to 3 000 ft3/s).
    • Establishing a Summer Operating Plan to guide reservoir management during warm months.
    • Changing apportionment calculations from the Calendar Year (January to December) to a Water Year (November to October) so late-year releases count toward apportionment.

Who's affected#

• People and communities in the Souris River basin: parts of Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the U.S. state of North Dakota. This includes farmers, towns, and anyone near the river or reservoirs.
• Reservoir operators and water managers who use the 1989 Agreement’s operating plan.
• The governments of Canada and the United States, which would receive the IJC’s non-binding recommendations.
• Broadcasters and local listeners named in the CRTC listings, including applicants like Rogers Media Inc., Sur Sagar Radio Inc., and Carlsbad Springs Community Association.
• If it is unclear who else will be affected, the notice does not specify — public comment is invited to help clarify impacts.

Why it matters#

• Small operational changes to reservoirs can change flood risk and water available for farms, towns, and ecosystems. For example, shifting the winter drawdown date or changing flow limits could reduce some flood peaks or change water availability in late winter and spring.
• Moving apportionment to a Water Year could change how late-year releases are credited between Canada and the U.S., which might affect future water-sharing or release decisions.
• The IJC’s recommendations are not binding, but they can influence what the two governments decide to do. Public input during the hearing and comment period helps shape those recommendations.
• The CRTC notes matter mainly to the named broadcasters and their local audiences because they reflect posted decisions and consultation deadlines.