Message to the Senate Transmitting United States-Canadian Agreements

To the Senate of the United States:

With a view to receiving the approval of the Senate, I transmit herewith the texts of two notes, signed and exchanged at Washington on March 21, 1969, constituting an agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Canada, providing for additional temporary diversions from the Niagara River for power production purposes.

It is provided in the agreement that it will enter into force upon notification that the exchange of notes has been approved by the Senate of the United States. The agreement requires Senate advice and consent to approval because it would authorize a departure from the limitations prescribed in the Niagara River Treaty of February 27, 1950 in regard to minimum flows.

An agreement with Canada providing for the construction of a temporary cofferdam above the American Fails at Niagara was concluded by an exchange of notes on the same date. Copies of those notes are transmitted herewith for the information of the Senate. This cofferdam agreement is deemed to be a "special agreement" of the kind expressly authorized by the Boundary Waters Treaty of January 11, 1909 with Canada. It is stipulated in this agreement that it enters into force immediately upon the exchange of notes.

I also transmit for the information of the Senate a report by the Secretary of State explaining more fully the background and purposes of the two agreements.

I urge that the Senate give early and favorable consideration to the agreement authorizing' additional temporary diversions from the Niagara River for power production purposes.

RICHARD NIXON

The White House

April 14, 1969