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July 27, 2006 - Mr. James Ebmeyer, Penfield, New York

Regarding changes in the regulation of water levels in Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, I urge retention of the Plan 1958-D as modified. Regulation of water levels over the last few years has improved resulting in reduced shoreline flooding, while maintaining shipping. As for the impact on the natural environment, the Seaway has been in operation for over 50 years. The birds, fish, insects, etc. have long ago adapted to the changes in water levels, resulting from the Seaway. If high water levels are allowed to increase over current high water levels, the cost to property owners and local municipalities on both sides of the border will be in the billions. I would suggest that much property would become unusable, or too expensive to rebuild or to even try to protect via dike construction (which in itself can adversely affect the environment). While I sail a boat requiring six feet of water to stay afloat, I can easily live with the existing management of water levels. I cruised my boat to Sorel in summer of 2005, and there was plenty of water in the channel as far as my depth instrumentation indicated. If there is a problem with adequate water levels in Montreal or the St. Lawrence River for commercial shipping, then dredge. That is what is done for the Intracoastal Waterway on the eastern shore of the U.S. The study methodology using the stochastic model of a 50,000 year sequence, is odd. Between 10,000 and 50,000 years ago the study area was in the Ice Age. Let's get to the present and future.

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