372 NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHIC PROGRAM—1965 
II UNITED STATES - CANADA COOPERATION 
In recognition of the need for scientific research and productive 
development, the governments of the United States and Canada have joined in 
forming the International Joint Commission, whose objective is the safe- 
guarding of the quality of the waters bounding Michigan, the Province of 
Ontario, and New York. Co-chairmen of this commission are Mr, Tino Roncalio 
for the United States and Mr. A. G. L. McNaughton for Canada, The work of 
this commission is but one evidence of the extremely advanced state of 
cooperation between federal, state, and county governments, colleges, and 
industrial concerns in prosecuting privately and federally sponsored programs. 
In 1909 the United States and Canada signed the Boundary Waters 
Treaty.. The International Joint Commission was created by that treaty. The 
treaty recognized the importance of the Great Lakes to both countries for: 
(1) domestic and sanitary purposes; 
(2) navigation including the services of canals; 
(3) power and irrigation. 
Since the treaty was signed, needs for industry, recreation, and conservation 
of fish and wildlife have also come into prominence. 
Approximately 4,600,000 people residing in about 90 neighboring 
communities obtain water from the Great Lakes and tributary rivers. 
Domestic water requirements are presently in excess of 888 million gallons 
per day. The size of the filtration and chemical treatment problems incident 
to this usage is obvious. A considerable amount of research and planning 
have gone into the establishment of the 39 major domestic water intakes. In 
many instances chemical treatment involves special measures for removal of 
highly toxic compounds resulting from industrial waste. 
; Depredation by the lamprey and,other obnoxious living sources of 
infestation and destruction has almost totally halted all commercial fishing 
in the Great Lakes areas. However, there is considerable sport fishing7in ~ 
Lake Superior, Lake Huron, and Lake Erie. The Joint Commission is working 
closely with federal and state fish and game departments to protect these 
fisheries and to plan for eventual, expansion and recovery of commereijal 
fishing. Numbers of areas contiguous to the waters are known as excellent 
hunting grounds, both public and private. These are primarily habitats for 
waterfowl. Here again the commission is active in supervising methods for 
control and conservation. 
A number of public and private bathing beaches exist for 
recreational use in the Great Lakes area. The largest accommodates 0,000 
people, Other forms of water recreation include pleasure boating and skin 
diving. Although the exact number is not known it is possible that there are 
