October 5, 2010
In a letter, the International Joint Commission concurred with the recommendations made by the Study Board in its St. Clair River report. The Commission said that the recommendations were “sound” and complimented the Study Board for the approaches it took to address the questions posed and for “successfully having undertaken an unprecedented, thorough, and in-depth analysis of the factors contributing to the decline in water levels between Lake Michigan-Huron and Lake Erie.” The judgment of the Commission was based on a number of factors, including the report itself; letters from the governments regarding the scope of the Study; and the extensive public comments received.
The Commission also provided additional guidance that responds to a request by the Study Board and to public support for investigation of remedial measures to re-establish past hydraulic regimes in the St. Clair River, for example, prior to the channel deepening in the early 1960s. In this regard, the commission asked the Study Board to examine the feasibility of various levels of water restoration as well as the implications on interests through the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Basin ecosystem. These scenarios include restoration levels of 0 cm, 10 cm (3.9 in), 25 cm (9.8 in), 40 cm (15.7 in) and 50 cm (19.7 in). While 0 represents the status quo (or no action), the other levels move progressively farther back in time, culminating in 50 cm, representing restoration to levels that were experienced in the late 19th century, prior to dredging for the 6.1 m (20 ft) navigation channel.
In addition, the Commission provided its views on a number of key issues raised by the Study Board:
1. Endorsed a proposal by the Study Board to examine (on an exploratory basis) mitigation options if they were found to be necessary to deal with significant climate change impacts. Previously, the mandate only allowed for examination of mitigation as it related to physical changes in the St. Clair River.
2. Concurred with a proposal for the Study Board to present one alternative to the existing regulation plan. This plan would be the result of detailed analysis of a wide range of plans and extensive consultation with the public.
3. Agreed that the Study Board has the mandate to investigate and recommend the possible expansion of an existing control board or the creation of a new board. This guidance was a direct result of public comment regarding the current governance of water resources throughout the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence system.
The Study Board is expected to update the Commission on the progress of these items at its next appearance in late October.