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September 13, 2006 - Mr. Dennis Roach, Supervisor, Town of Hamlin, New York

Dear Honorable Secretary:

At an open meeting of the Town of Hamlin Conservation Board on August 28, 2006, it was the consensus of that Board and those in attendance that an increase of the Lake Ontario water level will only benefit shipping and hydro-electric interests and will be detrimental to shore-line property owners. Per unanimous vote, the Conservation Board recommended that the Town Board of the Town of Hamlin communicate its concerns about a possible increase to the Lake level to you.

The following reflects the concerns of the Town Board and anticipated, negative consequences relative to any changes to the current Lake Ontario water level regulations, which would result in a rise of the Lake level:

• Nearly ten percent of the Town's 3,434 parcels are shore-line properties, which could be adversely effected.
• Loss of property and beaches.
• Loss of or decrease in assessed value of shoreline properties.
• Expense to landowners of installing break walls or other means to protect their homes.
• Home-owners' flood insurance coverage will be adversely effected.
• Increased public funding and resources required to deal with temporary housing, feeding and medical expenses incurred during extreme, high-water events.
• Release of toxins now "encapsulated" in the shoreline, pond and marsh sediments.
• Adverse effects to the hybrid septic systems along the shoreline. Possible sewage discharge.
• Delay in spring agricultural operations due to slow drainage from fields to streams and tributaries and associated lost income.
• Environmental destruction of existing marsh and shallow-water nesting habitats for birds and fish.
• Increase in invasive species related to increased shipping.
• Places the 251-foot (ASL) minimum first-floor elevation in jeopardy.

As approved by resolution #254-2006, the Town Board of the Town of Hamlin, New York, requests that the International Joint Commission adopt a plan that takes into account and adequately protects the property and interests of our shoreline residents.

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