This Technical Working Group (TWG) is examining the impacts of fluctuating water levels on the shore zone and lands
adjacent to the water that are either under private or public ownership. High levels can cause flood and erosion damage
while low levels can lead to the undercutting of shore protective works and other damages. For example, the eastern coast
of Georgian Bay (Lake Huron) is greatly affected by changing levels, in particular because extensive wetlands have
difficulty migrating due to the steep near-shore environment.
In addition to reviewing literature and available data, the TWG is conducting site specific visits to gather additional
information as well as consulting coastal property owners and other interests regarding the desirable range of water levels.
They will also review the effectiveness of current land use regulations at protecting coastal zone interests from water level
related damages, make recommendations to improve the sustainability of land use practices, examine potential adaptive measures
needed to address climate change and variability and identify changes to regulation plans to minimize impacts on coastal interests.
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Mike Shantz Co-lead Water Resources Analyst Boundary Water Issues Environment Canada 867 Lakeshore Rd. Burlington, ON L7R 4A6 Email: mike.shantz@ec.gc.ca |
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Scott Thieme Co-lead U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District Chief, Great Lakes Hydraulics & Hydrology Branch 477 Michigan Avenue Detroit MI 48226 Email: scott.j.thieme@usace.army.mil |
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