What's the Best Level?

By Sean Sadri - NCC News
April 20, 2008

Wolcott, NY - Business and property owners along Lake Ontario are finding their investments wash away with the water. Mother Nature may have a little to do with it, but shoreline erosion has been greatly accelerated since a dam was constructed to regulate the lake's water levels for international shipping. Shores and wetlands have taken a lot of the damage, and many locals think something should be done to preserve the environment.

How the Locals Feel
Wolcott resident John Mayer lives along the lake, and over the years has witnessed the land in front of his property disappear. He also has a boating business that relies on Lake Ontario, and sees a need for consistently high water levels.

"There's gotta be water management and shoreline management," Mayer said. "It's a natural resource. You've got to keep the channels open. You've got to have enough water, but too much water destroys the shoreline."

New Plans to Fix the Problem
An American and Canadian commission conducted research on the lake and made three plans to manage the waterways. The commission's research has already cost American and Canadian taxpayers $20 million. The plans were designed to be both environmental and economic, but many people have voiced opinions against these plans.

"The three plans that they came up with a year and a half ago, none of the plans were at all acceptable," said Wolcott homeowner James Quick.

Government taking action
New York Governor David Paterson has even voiced his disappointment with the newest plan, and has asked Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice for a new plan that is more environmentally conscious. Many environmental experts are concerned that the plans are ignoring the impact the water levels have on local ecosystems. Dr. John Farrell, a senior research associate at SUNY-ESF, said he is glad that the environment is finally becoming an issue with the government, after harm has been done to wildlife and wetlands around Lake Ontario.

"Clearly the environment has not been part of the process in the past," said Farrell. "One thing I like about the current plan is that they have adaptive management, and they are trying to bring the environment into the fold."

Ultimately, the debate between commercial and environmental interests will remain controversial until a new plan that suits all parties is developed.