By IUGLS
April 19, 2011
A progress report recently submitted to the International Joint Commission (IJC) during meetings in Washington, D.C., offers updates on the work of the International Upper Great Lakes Study.
The co-chairs of the Study Board and its Public Interest Advisory Group (PIAG) presented a progress report last week to members of the IJC. Members of the U.S. Congress also were briefed on the Study, which is investigating the causes and impacts of fluctuating Great Lakes water levels.
Phase 2 of the Study is examining whether the regulation plan for Lake Superior outflows at Sault Ste. Marie can be improved to provide additional benefits for important interests and consider a changing climate.
Phase 2 also includes an exploratory look at the impacts of water level restoration options for Lakes Michigan and Huron, namely structures in the St. Clair River to raise levels by 10 centimeters, 25 centimeters, 40 centimeters or 50 centimeters. The analysis also will examine multi-lake regulation in the context of climate change.
Highlights of the Ninth Semi-Annual Progress Report, submitted April 13, 2011, include:
You can download a pdf of the April 13 Progress Report from this link.
On April 14 and 15, Dr. Gene Stakhiv of the Study Board and Kay Felt of PIAG briefed members of Congress and their staff regarding the findings and recommendations of Phase 1 and the status of various Phase 2 activities, including Lake Superior regulation, restoration and multi-lake regulation.
A pdf of their presentation is available at this link.
In other developments, the Study Board and a Public Interest Advisory Group recently approved a public engagement plan for this summer to provide information and seek input regarding the status of the Study’s work in Phase 2.
We plan to post a peer-reviewed, technical report on water level restoration options in early June, and launch a 45-day comment period on our full Study in mid-July, with meetings in the U.S. and Canada and opportunities for comment by e-mail and traditional mail.
More information on the engagement plan is forthcoming.
The co-chairs of the Study Board and its Public Interest Advisory Group (PIAG) presented a progress report last week to members of the IJC. Members of the U.S. Congress also were briefed on the Study, which is investigating the causes and impacts of fluctuating Great Lakes water levels.
Phase 2 of the Study is examining whether the regulation plan for Lake Superior outflows at Sault Ste. Marie can be improved to provide additional benefits for important interests and consider a changing climate.
Phase 2 also includes an exploratory look at the impacts of water level restoration options for Lakes Michigan and Huron, namely structures in the St. Clair River to raise levels by 10 centimeters, 25 centimeters, 40 centimeters or 50 centimeters. The analysis also will examine multi-lake regulation in the context of climate change.
Highlights of the Ninth Semi-Annual Progress Report, submitted April 13, 2011, include:
- Two workshops were conducted on institutional aspects of adaptive management and the ecological impacts of structures to restore Upper Great Lakes water levels;
- Exploratory investigations have been performed regarding lake level restoration options including structural alternatives placed in the St. Clair River, estimated costs, and upstream and downstream hydrological, ecological and economic impacts;
- The Study Board is participating in decision exercises to prepare for its selection of an alternative regulation plan for Lake Superior later this year;
- Work has begun a draft of the final Study Report.
You can download a pdf of the April 13 Progress Report from this link.
On April 14 and 15, Dr. Gene Stakhiv of the Study Board and Kay Felt of PIAG briefed members of Congress and their staff regarding the findings and recommendations of Phase 1 and the status of various Phase 2 activities, including Lake Superior regulation, restoration and multi-lake regulation.
A pdf of their presentation is available at this link.
In other developments, the Study Board and a Public Interest Advisory Group recently approved a public engagement plan for this summer to provide information and seek input regarding the status of the Study’s work in Phase 2.
We plan to post a peer-reviewed, technical report on water level restoration options in early June, and launch a 45-day comment period on our full Study in mid-July, with meetings in the U.S. and Canada and opportunities for comment by e-mail and traditional mail.
More information on the engagement plan is forthcoming.