Clayton, NY, Feb 03, 2012 — A new plan for controlling water levels in Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River will be the main agenda item at Save the River's annual conference at the Clayton Opera House this weekend.

The new plan allows water levels to stay high (or low) for longer periods than the current plan does. The more natural fluctuations are intended to restore diversity in the shoreline ecosystems. Martha Foley has more.  Go to full article

Jan 31, 2012 — A new plan for controlling water levels in lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River is intended to restore diversity in shoreline plant and animal communities by permitting greater fluctuations.

The International Joint Commission, representing both the U.S. and Canada, released the regulatory plan yesterday.  Go to full article

Clayton, NY, Feb 08, 2010 — Friday, the community of Clayton celebrated the completion of a $2.5 million clean-up of prime waterfront on the St. Lawrence River. Frink America's former snowplow plant polluted eight acres of riverside property in the heart of the Thousand Islands. Town supervisor Justin Taylor says the clean-up took almost ten years. The redeveloped property may include a hotel, multi-family residences, businesses, and a riverwalk. The head of New York's Department of Environmental Conservation, Pete Grannis, came to Clayton to deliver the official certificate of completion in person. Grannis stayed in Clayton Saturday for Save the River's Winter Weekend. He updated the members of the environmental group on the stalled study to control water levels on the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario. In 2008, the International Joint Commission finished a 5-year, $20 million review of water levels and issued a new plan for controlling them. But then the IJC rescinded that plan, put the whole project on hold, and went back to the bargaining table. Grannis told David Sommerstein that was due to strong opposition from New York.  Go to full article

Jun 26, 2008 — At least 260 St. Lawrence River residents spoke with one voice at a water levels hearing last night in Alexandria Bay. It was the last chance to persuade the International Joint Commission to adopt a more environmentally friendly plan for controlling the waters of the St. Lawrence and Lake Ontario. The plan, called "B+", has the support of local, state, and federal lawmakers, including Governor David Paterson, and a broad coalition of environmental groups. But following a five year, $20 million study, the IJC wants to implement a plan that's very similar to the original 50-year old one. The agency says it has to protect homeowners along the southern shore of Lake Ontario.  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

Apr 17, 2008 — The St. Lawrence is one of the ten most endangered rivers in the United States, according to a national environmental group. The list by American Rivers highlights ten rivers facing decisions in the coming year that could determine their future. The St. Lawrence made the list after a binational commission issued a new plan for controlling water levels on the River and Lake Ontario last month. The International Joint Commission balked at choosing a more environmentally-friendly plan, which was the preferred alternative in the North Country. Instead, it selected a water levels plan very similar to the original one developed 50 years ago. It aims to reduce the natural highs and lows of the River. The IJC says it's obligated by treaty to protect properties along the southern shore of Lake Ontario from erosion. The IJC is holding hearings over the summer. Environmentalists and state lawmakers are trying to get the commissioners to change their minds. In a press release, Congressman John McHugh says the "endangered river" designation should "spur action" to put pressure on the IJC. New York Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Pete Grannis said in a statement that the IJC is poised to "botch a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to return more natural flows" to the St. Lawrence. Jennifer Caddick directs Save the River, based in Clayton. She told David Sommerstein the St. Lawrence River is at a crossroads.  Go to full article

Feb 05, 2008 — An environmental group has issued an action alert after reports that an environmentally friendly plan to control water levels from Lake Ontario to the St. Lawrence River may be dead. Martha Foley has more.  Go to full article

Sep 11, 2007 — U.S. and Canadian officials with the International Joint Commission has spent five years, and $20 million, on developing a plan to deal with water levels, as well as other issues, including invasive species and shipping. That plan, meant in part to ease the region's economic and environmental concerns, was to be made public at the beginning of next week. Yesterday, the IJC says its recommendation will be delayed. Frank Bevaqua is public information officer for the IJC. He said the commission "just isn't there yet."  Go to full article

Aug 11, 2003 — President Bush's nomination to lead a Great Lakes governing council has been held up in the U.S. Senate for 15 months. But there are signals that interim International Joint Commission Chairman Dennis Schornack might soon win confirmation. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Rick Pluta has more.  Go to full article