Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) is fighting to stop a plan that would make dangerous changes to water level regulations for Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, threatening both property and the environment. The International Joint Commission, a bi-national agency that regulates shared water uses between the U.S. and Canada, investigates trans-boundary issues and recommends solutions, has proposed Plan 2014 to alter the management of water levels and flows on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. Hawley contacted the commission with his concerns on the matter and sent a copy to Governor Andrew Cuomo’s office to illustrate the problems as well. He will be joining Senator George Maziarz in writing to the governor requesting him to intervene on the state’s behalf in the near future.

“The increase in the lake level would result in the loss of property and beaches, with erosion decreasing the assessed value of the shoreline properties,” the letter to the commission states. “The expense of installing break walls to protect homes and businesses would be cost-prohibitive, and homeowners would be expected to pay a higher premium on their flood insurance because of the increased risk of flooding. The environment also would be affected as well with the release of toxins that would be encapsulated in the shoreline, pond and marsh sediments.”

***ATTACHED*** Copy of letter to the International Joint Commission expressing Assemblyman Hawley’s opposition to Plan 2014***