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The following article is from an archived newsletter. See our Shared Waters newsletter.

Reversing Harm and Balancing Interests Under Plan 2014

IJC staff
IJC
Plan 2014 report, June 2014

There are challenges to protecting the ecosystem and property along the Lake Ontario shoreline.

There are tradeoffs.

To restore coastal ecosystem health, you need more natural lake levels. More natural lake levels can increase damages to shoreline development.

A new Plan 2014 for the Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River system strikes a balance.

It would update an existing regulation plan for the Moses-Saunders dam called 1958DD. The new Plan 2014 would produce a huge improvement in coastal ecosystems – helping restore some 64,000 acres of wetlands that foster aquatic life and filter polluted runoff – in return for a small reduction in benefits.

That reduction could affect property along the lake and river. Accounting for changes to the current plan could require taller protection structures for waterfront property.

South shore residents of Lake Ontario have voiced a range of concerns about a new regulation plan. We considered those carefully during 14 years of analysis, study and public input. There isn’t one plan that can restore coastal ecosystems, maintain all the economic benefits, and make everyone happy.

Costs will have to be borne to maintain hardened shore structures along the shore of Lake Ontario regardless of the future regulation plan.

The benefits from restored wetlands under Plan 2014--- generally higher fall-through-spring water elevations that will benefit wetlands, birds, fish, mammals, and amphibians--- and the evidence of harm by the current plan is too great to ignore.

From the cover of the Plan 2014 report, June 2014.From the cover of the Plan 2014 report, June 2014.

The effects of the regulation of water flows and lake levels on ecosystems were not understood or considered when the existing Order of Approval and regulation plan were developed. The current water management criteria are based on the limited range of Lake Ontario water supplies that were recorded from the 1860s to the 1950s.

These criteria have created an unrealistic expectation that Lake Ontario water levels can be maintained within a four-foot range (1.2 meters). The last 50-plus years of experience have shown that it’s not possible to keep the lake within this range under more wide-ranging water supply conditions.

Plan 2014 offers the best opportunity to reverse some of the harm while balancing ecosystem and downstream uses, and minimizing any increased damage to shoreline protection structures.

Plan 2014 will still moderate extreme high and low levels, better maintain system-wide levels for navigation, frequently extend the recreational boating season and slightly increase hydropower production. Based on historical supplies, Plan 2014’s projected maximum level would be 2.4 inches (6 centimeters) higher than the maximum level under 1958DD --- about as tall as a tennis ball.

Plan 2014 is designed to provide for more natural variations of water levels of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. It has high and low trigger levels for Lake Ontario according to the seasonal nature of water supplies. When water levels reach the triggers, the flows will be set to provide all possible relief to affected interests instead of following the regulation plan.

The benefits of thriving wetland habitats will support highly valued recreational opportunities, and provide nurseries for fish and wildlife.

The Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Drainage Basin.

Plan 2014 will be tracked and evaluated. There will be an adaptive management strategy, which means ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the plan’s performance, and continued public involvement. There will be opportunities for further refinement and improvements.

The IJC has reported its conclusions regarding the need for a new regulation plan to the governments of Canada and the United States, and looks forward to receiving their response.

A timeline of Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River regulation. A timeline of significant events in Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Regulation.

IJC staff
IJC

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