She met with River Board of Control member Tony David and two members of the board's support staff, Keith Koralewski, a regulation representative, and Lauren Schifferle, from the American side of the five-member board.
Assemblywoman Jenne said the low water levels this summer were a major concern for property owners along Lake St. Lawrence, boaters and shippers on the water and local officials.
"I share their concerns about the impact low water levels could have on efforts to grow tourism in the region, the impact it could have on property values for waterfront properties, its impact on the environment and the increased risk of shipping accidents due to the combination of low water levels and the increased current that results from high outflows being pushed through the Moses-Saunders Control Dam,” Assemblywoman Jenne said.
Board of Control representatives discussed current water levels on the Great Lakes, the goals of Plan 2014 that regulate water levels on the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River, the factors that contributed to flooding on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River in the spring and early summer of 2017 and the rationale behind the decision for the high outflow levels that resulted in Lake St. Lawrence dropping to late fall water levels in early August.
"It was a spirited two-hour discussion with lively exchanges, and my takeaway was it was an error to base water regulation decisions this year off of last year's record-high water levels. It doesn't make sense to me to have based this year's outflows based on a 52-week review process that relied on data from water levels from last year we know were a historical outlier," Assemblywoman Jenne said.
“I think they should have used average data or weighted data that could have prevented the extreme low water levels on Lake St. Lawrence this year," Assemblywoman Jenne added.
"I understand this is just the second year of the new regulation plan, but it's my belief regulators made a serious overcorrection this summer that impacted the St. Lawrence River from Lake Ontario to Massena, with the major impact being in the Lake St. Lawrence section of the river," she noted.
"They are aware of the phenomenon that causes the low water levels in Lake St. Lawrence due to the river dynamics and control dams. It appears the St. Lawrence River from the lake to the locks gets treated as little more than an industrial canal to protect the waterfront along Lake Ontario, which has a much higher population," Assemblywoman Jenne said.
She noted Plan 2014, which she supported, was billed as a regulation plan that would more closely mirror the natural ecosystem that controlled water levels prior to the late 1950s. But she said the high outflows regulators used this summer to continue moving water out of Lake Ontario, where water levels were near normal, seemed to be in direct opposition to the plan's goal.
"There are always going to be shared sacrifices under any regulation plan, but I don't think it's appropriate that our river communities are asked to suffer both when there is flooding on Lake Ontario and now even to lower the potential for future flooding events," she stressed.
"They are aware of the phenomenon that causes the low water levels in Lake St. Lawrence due to the river dynamics and control dams. It appears the St. Lawrence River from the lake to the locks gets treated as little more than an industrial canal to protect the waterfront along Lake Ontario, which has a much higher population," Assemblywoman Jenne said.
She noted Plan 2014, which she supported, was billed as a regulation plan that would more closely mirror the natural ecosystem that controlled water levels prior to the late 1950s. But she said the high outflows regulators used this summer to continue moving water out of Lake Ontario, where water levels were near normal, seemed to be in direct opposition to the plan's goal.
"There are always going to be shared sacrifices under any regulation plan, but I don't think it's appropriate that our river communities are asked to suffer both when there is flooding on Lake Ontario and now even to lower the potential for future flooding events," she stressed.
Assemblywoman Jenne said she is convinced the River Board of Control, working through the International Joint Commission, needs to look at steps that can be taken in future years to maintain more appropriate water levels on Lake St. Lawrence during the summer boating season. It's a limited season for water recreation in the North Country and taking steps that ended the season for some boaters at the end of July isn't acceptable," Assemblywoman Jenne said.
She noted she doesn't feel it's not too much to ask for water levels in August that allow property owners on Lake St. Lawrence to use their waterfront. That water would be there if they weren't pulling the plug so early in the year, the assemblywoman pointed out.
Assemblywoman Jenne said she does feel regulators have listened to concerns raised at public meetings held in recent weeks in Louisville and Long Sault, Ont.
"This is an issue that needs to be a priority for review by the Great Lakes Adaptive Management Committee, and they need to look at steps to make sure the voices of the people on Lake St. Lawrence are heard," Assemblywoman Jenne said.
"I was heartened to hear impact surveys will likely be sent out to residents around the basin and additional public meetings will be scheduled to gain further input on the impact low water levels have had on the region this summer. I also looking forward to having the opportunity to provide feedback to the Great Lakes Adaptive Management Committee as it does its work," she added.
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Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne visits with River Board of Control member Tony David and staff members Lauren Schifferle and Keith Koralewski following a meeting to discuss low water levels on Lake St. Lawrence this past summer.
Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne visit waterfront property owners in late July to get a first-hand look at low water levels on Lake St. Lawrence.
