The Authority is an international entity, created out of an agreement between the State of New York, with the consent of the United States Congress, and the Canadian Government. The Authority’s mission is to be known as the premier Canada/US international border crossing. The Authority strives to provide excellent customer service and be an effective channel for trade and tourism between the two nations. The Authority governs the Peace Bridge. The Lewiston-Queenstown Bridge, the Whirlpool Rapids Bridge and the Rainbow Bridge are owned and operated by the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission. An existing law creates a six mile buffer zone surrounding the Peace Bridge, which prevents the construction a bridge with a similar purpose without the Authority’s consent.