Does the Boundary Waters Treaty give precedence to domestic and sanitary uses over other uses?
• Yes. Article VIII of the Boundary Waters Treaty states that no use shall be permitted which tends materially to conflict with, or restrain, any other use with higher precedent. The order of precedence is stated as: (1) uses for domestic and sanitary purposes, (2) uses for navigation and (3) uses for power and irrigation purposes. “Domestic and sanitary purposes” include municipal water supply and wastewater treatment.
Related Questions
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