Write a commentWith Water Levels Above Average, Katko, Brindisi Write to IJC Commissioner Asking for Action Plan to Mitigate Flood Damage Along Lake Ontario.
With Lake Ontario water levels already above average, U.S. Reps. John Katko (NY-24) and Anthony Brindisi (NY-22) today sent a bipartisan letter to Lana Pollack, Chair of the U.S. Section, International Joint Commission (IJC), requesting immediate action to mitigate flood risks for coastal communities.
The lawmakers pointed to the record flooding that occurred along shorelines across Lake Ontario in 2017, causing serious damage to local businesses, residences and infrastructure.
“In addition to threatening the lives of families throughout the region, continued flooding would only cause further destruction and cripple communities that are already struggling to respond to existing damage,” wrote Katko and Brindisi.
Katko and Brindisi requested the IJC and the International Lake Ontario – St. Lawrence River Board outline the intended course of action and report any factors preventing the IJC from responding to rising water levels.
The full text of the letter is below.
March 4, 2019
The Honorable Lana Pollack
U.S. Section Chair and Commissioner
International Joint Commission – U.S Section
1717 H Street NW, Suite 801
Washington, DC 20006
Dear IJC Chair Pollack,
We write with serious concerns regarding rising water levels on Lake Ontario and request an immediate response outlining the course of action that will be pursued by the International Joint Commission (IJC) and the International Lake Ontario – St. Lawrence River Board to mitigate flood risks to coastal communities.
As you know, shorelines across Lake Ontario were severely impacted by record flooding in 2017. The resulting devastation caused to local businesses, residences and infrastructure continue to be the subject of significant recovery efforts in coastal communities. In addition to threatening the lives of families throughout the region, continued flooding would only cause further destruction and cripple communities that are already struggling to respond to existing damage.
According to measurements released by the International Lake Ontario – St. Lawrence River Board, lake levels currently stand 15 inches above the annual average for this time of year. Forecasting from the Army Corps of Engineers projects that water levels will remain at this level, significantly raising the potential for severe flooding in the event of high precipitation or other exacerbating factors. Such an outcome would be unacceptable to the ecological, economic and general wellbeing of our constituents.
With these significant concerns in mind, we are requesting immediate action from the IJC and the International Lake Ontario – St. Lawrence River Board to mitigate flood risks for coastal communities. In responding to this serious situation, please outline the intended course of action for outflows from the Moses-Saunders Dam, as well as any additional factors preventing the IJC from responding to rising water levels on Lake Ontario.
Thank you in advance for your time and attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
John Katko (NY-24)
Anthony Brindisi (NY-22)
