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CITIZENS CAMPAIGN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
ACTION ALERT!
SUPPORT A MORE NATURAL WATER LEVEL REGULATION FOR LAKE ONTARIO AND THE ST. LAWRENCE RIVER!
SUPPORT THE B+ PLAN
Click here to take action now
In 2000, the IJC commissioned a $20 million study with research from 180 scientists from the U.S. and Canada. The final report concluded that the unnatural water regulations of the past 50 years have caused significant reductions in coastal wetland diversity, and that more natural varied water levels have a direct positive impact on the breeding and nesting success of the many bird and fish species.
Current regulations harm the health of our environment.
For nearly 50 years, the biodiversity of the Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River ecosystem has suffered consistent losses due to unnatural and damaging water level regulation. Water levels have been artificially constrained, causing a loss of biodiversity in coastal wetlands and significant adverse impacts to many fish species and nesting water birds. A new, more ecologically-friendly, international water level management plan has been developed. The public can now support a more natural water level management that values fish and wildlife, ship navigation, and shorelines.
Who regulates water levels in Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence?
The International Joint Commission (IJC), which is a bi-national organization of the United States and Canada, is responsible for regulating water levels and flows in the Great Lakes. The IJC is currently accepting public comments on the modernized international water level management plan for the Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River system. For the first time in 50 years, we have an opportunity to adopt water level regulations for Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River that consider the health of our environment!
The B+ Plan would create a sustainable ecosystem.
Three plans are under IJC consideration. The B+ plan is the strongest option, which will allow for more natural variability in water levels and will have a significant and direct positive influence on fish spawning and nursery grounds in coastal wetlands and, in turn, create an ecosystem that is able to thrive.
The IJC is currently accepting public comments for updated water regulations in Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, and is anticipated to make a decision soon. Tell the IJC to implement the B+ plan, which will create a healthier environment, and will benefit a majority of the users of the lake and river, including fishermen, recreational boaters, and municipal water users.
How you can help!
- Submit comments to the International Joint Commission via email today. Tell them to support a healthy Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River ecosystem and implement the B+ Plan!
- Sign Save The River’s e-petition by visiting: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/IJC-support-planB
Send Emails To:
Email Tips:
- Include your name and address in the email.
- Urge the IJC to:
- Support the B+ Plan, which will create a healthier ecosystem, and will benefit fishermen, recreational boaters, and municipal water users;
- Include funding for an adaptive management approach, which would include ongoing research of the impacts of water level regulation on the River and Lake ecosystem; and
- Limit deviations from the B+ Plan. Deviations should only be allowed in case of a significant emergency.
- Thank the IJC for their consideration of your comments.
Please forward a copy of any response you receive to
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email address. It helps us track progress on the issue. Thanks!
Thank you for your action. Together we make a difference.
Sincerely,
YOUR FRIENDS AT CCE
For more information, contact CCE at
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email address,
or visit the Study Board website at www.losl.org
For more information on CCE’s work to protect and restore the Great Lakes, visit http://www.citizenscampaign.org/campaigns/great_lakes.htm
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