IJC Hearing June 6, 2012 - 7 pm - Quest School Hilton NY

NOTE: The University of Illinois "Carbon Capture Report" [a website that tracks perceptions in climate change, carbon capture and more] picked up this post: http://hydro.carboncapturereport.org/cgi-bin//profiler?key=westspit.blogspot.com&pt=4

The International Joint Commission (IJC) was established by the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 to help manage the use of shared waters between Canada and the United States. In the 1950s, it approved construction and operation of a hydroelectric power project in the St. Lawrence River near Cornwall, Ontario and Massena, New York for the purpose of producing hydroelectricity, enabling seaway navigation, and providing flood protection to Lake Ontario.

The IJC invites stakeholders to participate in this dialogue about a new approach, currently under development, to regulating the flows through the Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River (LOSLR) system. The new approach would take a step toward more natural water levels and flows in order to improve environmental conditions in the system, particularly on Lake Ontario, and would maintain most of the economic benefits of the current regulation regime. The IJC will consider the comments made during this dialogue before finalizing a formal proposal and scheduling public hearings on the new approach.

Overall Objective for the Dialogue
The Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River (LOSLR) system is home to nearly 12 million people, and a variety of interests, including shoreline communities, recreational boating, commercial navigation, hydroelectric power, municipal and industrial water uses, and the environment. While fluctuations in water levels and flows are mainly determined by mother nature, regulating the flows through an international hydropower project also has an influence. Dialogue participants are invited to discuss how a new approach to regulation would affect water levels and flows, and each of the various interests on the lake and river.

To discuss issues regarding the draft new approach with experts and stakeholders throughout the LOSLR system. The desired outcomes include: Resolution of outstanding questions to the greatest extent possible; Deeper understanding of the issues by all participants, including the IJC, governments and stakeholders throughout the LOSLR system.