News Release
June 18, 2012

International Joint Commission invites Public
Comment on Upper Great Lakes report

*See also: IJC invites public comment on Upper Great Lakes water levels study via teleconference 

The International Joint Commission (IJC) announced today that it is inviting public comment on the final report of its International Upper Great Lakes Study Board, Lake Superior Regulation: Addressing Uncertainty in Upper Great Lakes Water Levels. Comments will be accepted at public hearings and by mail, email and on-line until August 31, 2012.

The report examines whether the regulation of outflows from Lake Superior through the compensating works and power dams on the St. Marys River at Sault Ste. Marie might be improved to take into consideration the evolving needs of users on Lakes Superior, Huron, Michigan and Erie. The report also examines the potential future impacts of climate change, a management strategy to better anticipate and respond to future extreme water levels, the feasibility and implications of restoring water levels in lakes Michigan-Huron and multi-lake regulation and its impacts throughout the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence system.  The report and related supporting documents and peer review are available at the Upper Great Lakes Public Hearings website.

 “We are asking people who live on the Great Lakes to tell us if the Study Board’s recommendations for managing water supplies on the Upper Great Lakes meet their needs or if other changes need be considered,” said Joe Comuzzi, chair of the IJC’s Canadian Section.

“Commissioners will carefully consider all concerns regarding the regulation of water levels in the Great Lakes before arriving at a decision that balances and suitably protects the interests of all,” said Lana Pollack, chair of the IJC’s U.S. Section.

Commissioners invite the public to present comments at hearings that will be held the following dates and locations:

Video conference technology will be used to link the hearings scheduled from July 9 – 12 and to allow the participation of some commissioners from other locations.

Two teleconferences will be held for those people who are not able to attend the meetings. One will be held in English and the other in French. Details of the teleconferences will be provided in a subsequent news release.

Written comments may be submitted to the IJC for receipt by August 31, 2012 from the Upper Great Lakes Public Hearings website or to either address below:

Technical questions should be sent in writing to the Commission if a detailed response is expected.

The International Joint Commission was established under the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 to help the United States and Canada prevent and resolve disputes over the use of the waters the two countries share.  Its responsibilities include considering applications for projects that affect the natural levels and flows of boundary waters.  For more information, visit the Commission's website at www.ijc.org.

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