Niagara Cleanup Pact Signed

TORONTO — Environmental chiefs from the United States and Canada today signed a declaration vowing efforts toward cutting the flow of toxic chemicals into the Niagara River by at least 50% within 10 years.

Lee Thomas, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, Canadian Environment Minister Tom McMillan, New York State Environmental Conservation Commissioner Henry Williams and Ontario Province Environment Minister Jim Bradley signed the accord at a Niagara symposium here. Thomas called it “only a step in a long journey,” as the two nations attempt to clean up one of the world’s most polluted waterways.