Red River Basin Disaster Information Network
On-Line Workshop
January 9, 2001 -- 12:00 PM CST

Final Report of the International Joint Commission
Living with the Red
and
Proposed Directive to International Red River Board

Thomas L. Baldini
Chairman, United States Section
International Joint Commission

On-line Transcript

Recognizing the devastating effects of the 1997 flood on both sides of the border and the need for cross-border cooperation in addressing flood-related issues, U.S. President Bill Clinton and Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien agreed to ask the International Joint Commission (IJC) to study the flood and its impacts. The Commission established a binational Task Force and based on its advice, the Commission issued an interim report to governments in December 1997.

In April 200, the Commission received the Task Force's final report and, in May 2000, held public hearings and meetings in the basin to obtain comment on the information, conclusions, and recommendations of the Task Force. The Commission issued its final report, Living with the Red, during December 2000. In this report, the Commission endorses most of the Task Force's conclusions and recommendations, modifies some, and adds some new conclusions and recommendations of its own. The Commission also proposes to assign certain flood-related activities to its International Red River Board after consultations in the basin and with governments. Two public meetings will be held on this matter in the near future in Winnipeg and Grand Forks.

During this online workshop, Commissioner Baldini presented an overview of the final recommendations and responded to participant questions and comments. For access to the final report and the proposed draft directive, please see the following link.

International Red River Board

About Commissioner Baldini
Thomas L. Baldini of Marquette, Michigan was nominated by President Bill Clinton to chair the U.S. Section of the International Joint Commission. He assumed responsibilities on April 7, 1994 following confirmation of his appointment by the U.S. Senate.

As special assistant for Upper Peninsula affairs to Michigan Governor James Blanchard from 1983-1990, Chair Baldini participated in major economic development decisions and advised the governor on a wide range of policy issues, including negotiation of the Great Lakes Charter and the Great Lakes Toxic Substances Control Agreement. In 1987, Mr. Baldini was appointed by the governor to represent Michigan on the Great Lakes Economic Development Commission of the Council of Great Lakes Governors. He also chaired a major study for the governor on telecommunication in Michigan. The special assistant position was elevated to cabinet level in 1989.

Mr. Baldini served as education advisor to Governor Blanchard from 1985-1989. From 1991-1994, he served as assistant to the superintendent for personnel and finance for the Marquette area public schools. Chair Baldini's background in education also includes lecturing on political science for four years at Northern Michigan University and teaching at Marquette Senior High School from 1965-1983.