New-York tribune., 1906-05-08
TO PRESERVE NIAGARA
Report of the International Water
1CGyS Commission.

washington. May president Roosevelt TO-DAY
sent To Congress the report of the international
waterways commission on the preservation of
Niagara Falls The report contains recommenda-
tons for the restriction of the amount of water n
De diverted for power purposes, and suggests that
The amount of water to be diverted be limited
ether by treaty or legislation. The Limitation is
placed at 5000 cubic feet second from the Cana
ulah side and 1850 cubic feet a second from the
American side, in addition to 10000 cubic feet a sec
ond~ authorized for the Chicago drainage canal
| Ine report is in part follows:
The commission has made a thorough investtga
ana the two sections have presented reports to
co6itio9P iLsPeetvg governments setting forth these
! loving views and recommendations are based on a
careful study CT the facts and conditions set forth
Ffrst-In the opinion Of the commission it would
oe s2cTileGe 70 destroy the scenic effect of Nj
second-while the commission are not fully
agreed the effect of diversions of water from
Niagara Falls, ali are of the opinion that more
and 1880 cubic feet second on the American side
OF the Niagara River. including diversions for
power purposes on the Ere Canal. cannot be d.
veTted without injury to Niagara Falls as a whole
Tha~l-The commission therefore recommends
fhat INA such diversions exclusive Of water required
Tor domestic use or the service of locks in naviga
ton canals, be limited on the Canadian side 10
side to 1880 cubic feet second, and in addition
thereto a diversion for sanitary purposes not to
for the Chicago drainage canal and that treaty
or legislation be had limiting these diversions to
the quantities mentioned.
The Canadian section while asserting the
above conclusion did so upon the understanding
that in connection herewith should be expressed
their view that any treaty arrangement
the preservation Of Niagara Falls should be linn
tied to the term of twenty-five years and should
also establish the principles appIicab ble all di-
versions uses Of waters adjacent the inter-
national boundary and of al! streams which flow
across the boundary
The following principles are suggested:
First-In all nayigable waters the use for navi-
right The Great Lakes system the boundary
betweeen the United States and Canada find
ing its outlet by the St. Lawrence to the sea
should be maintained in its integrity.
SecOnd-Permarent or complete diversions of
navigabIe waters their tributary streams should
be permitted for domestic purposes only and for
the use of locks in navigation canals.
Thfrd-DiVersiOn be permitted OF tempo
rary character where the water is taken and
turned again when such diversions do not inter-
In such cases aeach country is 10 have right 10
diversion in equal quantities.
Fourth-No obstruction or diversion shall be per-
Ynitted IN or upon any nayigable water crossing
the boundary in or from streams tributary
thereto which would injuriousy affect nav cation
in either country.
Fifth-Each country shall have the right Of
diversion for irrigation extraordinary purposes
equal quantities of the waters OF non-naYiga BILE
streams crossing the interna tional boundary
much satisfactorily with the settlement of
all disputes arising to the application of these
principles and should be appointed.
The American members are Of opiniou that
OF general treaty Is not within the scope their
functions; moreover the Jurisdiction of the Amer
fcan members is restricted to the Great Lakes
system