Aug 15, 2008 — A common treatment in fish hatcheries may slow or even stop the spread of an invasive virus that's killing fish across the Great Lakes. Jonathan Brown has more.  Go to full article

Aug 05, 2008 — This summer, wet weather is hammering the North Country and Vermont. Rainfall is well above normal. From farming to tourism, the weather is helping some, hurting others. Jonathan Brown reports.  Go to full article

Jul 30, 2008 — Tom Bintz is an angler and artist who spends most of his time along the eastern shore of Lake Ontario. He turns junk found along the shoreline into fish sculptures. It's just one of the hobbies that keeps Bintz, aka "Captain Honk", busy as he divides his time between fishing, travel, art and demolition derbies from the North Country to the Florida Keys. He gave Todd Moe this fishing update from Pillar Point.  Go to full article

Jul 09, 2008 — High prices are squeezing nearly every aspect of the North Country economy. That includes the stretch of the St. Lawrence River that's breeding tourism based on carp fishing. The 3rd Annual Specialist Tackle Carp Challenge kicks off this morning in Waddington, but with half the number of angler teams from last year. Peter Henwood is the CEO of Specialist Tackle and owns the Riverview Motel on Route 37. Carp fishing is much more popular in Europe than here in the U.S. He says high airfares and gas prices are keeping anglers away this year. Henwood told David Sommerstein tourism in general has been quieter on his stretch of the river.  Go to full article

May 06, 2008 — 150 scientists from the U.S. and Canada meet in Cornwall, Ontario, today to assess the health of the St. Lawrence River. The St. Lawrence River Institute's annual conference comes on the eve of the 50th anniversary of the construction of the hydropower dam. The dam brought clean power and good jobs, but also pollution, Superfund sites, and environmental destruction. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Apr 30, 2008 — Congressman John McHugh is leading a fight in Congress to oppose a new water levels plan for the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario. McHugh introduced a resolution urging the Secretary of State to turn down the International Joint Commission's new water levels regime, known as "Plan 2007" in favor of one that's better for the environment, called "Plan B+". McHugh has an unlikely ally, Congresswoman Louise Slaughter, who co-sponsored the resolution. Slaughter represents the southern shore of Lake Ontario, where homeowners oppose the environmental plan because it could cause more shoreline erosion. But Slaughter told the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle the environmental plan is better. McHugh echoes those sentiments, speaking with David Sommerstein.  Go to full article

Apr 24, 2008 — Thousand Islanders gave a harsh welcome to a new water levels plan for the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario last night in Alexandria Bay. The International Joint Commission wants to implement a plan that's similar to the existing 50-year-old formula. That decision has been derided by Congressman John McHugh, Senator Chuck Schumer, New York's DEC, and both Jefferson and St. Lawrence County governments. It even prompted an environmental group to name the St. Lawrence one of the nation's ten most endangered rivers. As David Sommerstein reports, river residents are spoiling for a fight for a plan that's better for the environment and boating.  Go to full article

Mar 31, 2008 — A new plan for controlling water levels on the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario is drawing fire from all quarters of New York. The International Joint Commission announced this morning it supports a minor tweaking of a plan called "D-Plus". That plan is very similar to the existing, 50-year-old plan and provides only minor benefits for the environment. It's the result of a seven-year, $20 million study. As David Sommerstein reports, leaders in New York say the results are a waste of time and money.  Go to full article

Mar 27, 2008 — The bi-national agency that controls water levels on Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River is making a big announcement tomorrow. The International Joint Commission will release a new water management plan for the first time in 50 years. As David Sommerstein reports, North Country stakeholders are likely to be disappointed.  Go to full article

Feb 20, 2008 — Environmentalists and North Country lawmakers are criticizing a plan to control water levels on the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario even before it's made public. The International Joint Commission will release its final plan on March 31st. It's the result of a five-year, $20 million study between the U.S. and Canada to determine the best way to regulate water levels for all the users of the Lakes and River. There are reports the IJC will abandon three plans vetted by the public over the five-year study and instead choose a new option. Congressman John McHugh wrote a letter criticizing that possibility. Dalton Foster lives on Wilson Hill near Massena and runs the International Water Levels Coalition. He spoke with David Sommerstein.  Go to full article