NEWS NOTES ON SUSTAINABLE WATER RESOURCESSt. Lawrence River Planhttps://www.gao.gov/assets/710/708348.pdfGAO-20-529“What GAO Found “The Inte...
Published on by Tim Smith, Employee at Retiree & P/T Consultant
St. Lawrence River Plan
https://www.gao.gov/assets/710/708348.pdf
GAO-20-529
“What GAO Found
“The International Joint Commission’s (IJC) process for developing and selecting the Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Plan 2014 (Plan 2014) was generally consistent with relevant essential elements of risk-informed decision-making. During the 18-year process, IJC took steps to define objectives and performance measures to be used in its decision-making, identify various options, assess uncertainties like climate change, and engage with stakeholders, among other steps. These steps are all essential elements of risk-informed decision making.”
”IJC uses two mechanisms—a communications committee and a strategic communication plan—and a variety of methods—such as its website, social media, and public meetings—to communicate with stakeholders about its implementation of Plan 2014. Nevertheless, 12 of the 14 stakeholders GAO interviewed expressed concerns about IJC’s communication. GAO found that IJC’s strategic communication plan and related documents partially align with best practices. For example, the communication plan and related documents do not comprehensively identify target audiences or include mechanisms to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of their communication efforts. Updating its strategic communication plan to align with best practices and principles for risk communication could help IJC ensure improved stakeholder communication.”
What GAO Recommends
“GAO is making three recommendations, including that the U.S. Section of the IJC work with its Canadian counterpart to ensure that the communication plan aligns with best practices and the adaptive management strategy fully incorporates key elements. IJC agreed with our recommendations.”
More information on sustainable water resources is available at https://sites.google.com/site/sustainablewaterresources/