Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River regulation
Roles and responsibilities of key players
International Joint Commission (IJC)
- Approves conditions and criteria for water levels and flows in Orders of Approval
- Issues directives to the board
- Appoints members to the board
Committees
Great lakes-St. Lawrence River Adaptive Management (GLAM) committee
- Reviews and evaluates regulation plans in the Great Lakes
- Considers socio-economic and environmental interests
Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Adaptive Management (GLAM) Committee
Communications committee
- Composed of board members, board secretaries, and IJC staff
- Liaises with other committees and advisory groups
- Coordinates public outreach and communications activities
Gauging committee
- Composed of US and Canadian technical support staff and staff from the hydropower entities responsible for operating the project
- Ensures accurate monitoring and reporting of levels and flows in the St. Lawrence River
Board
International Lake
Ontario-St. Lawrence
River Board (ILOSLRB)
- 6 members, 3 each from Canada and the United States (members nominated by federal, state, and provincial governments)
- Decides on regulated outflows in accordance with the IJC order, directive, and regulation plan
- Communicates to public and stakeholders
- Supported by binational committees, advisory groups, and support staff
Advisory groups
Interim advisory group
- Composed of public stakeholders
- Provides information and advice directly to the board to ensure that the board is aware of potential impacts and fully considers diverse perspectives in making outflow decisions
Operations advisory group
- Composed of seaway, Coast Guard, and hydropower representatives
- Provides information on near-term operations, potential implications on regulating outflows
Support staff
Regulations representatives (US and Canadian federal employees)
- Provide engineering and technical support to the board
- Monitor and maintain records of hydrologic conditions
- Conduct the regulation plan calculations and account for flow deviations
- Ensure outflows meet conditions and criteria by IJC and board
Board secretaries (US and Canadian federal employees)
- Provide administrative and communication support to the board
- Maintain board minutes and records
Engineering advisors
- The IJC engineering advisors liaise between the IJC and board and advise on the IJC’s orders and directives
Hydropower entities
Ontario Power Generation and New York Power Authority
jointly own and operate the dams and release outflows directed by the board