New York Governor: Maintain or Increase Lake Ontario Outflows

New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo issued a letter to the U.S. Chair of the International Joint Commission (IJC) requesting that the entity maximize outflows from the Lake Ontario system to reduce the flooding risk for New Yorkers living and working along the shoreline. The letter was issued in advance of the commission’s scheduled decrease in outflows today, March 29, ahead of the shipping and navigation season. In addition to the letter, Gov. Cuomo has directed a number of state agencies to begin implementing proactive measures to assist residents, business owners, and local governments in the event of flooding this year on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.

“After the disastrous flooding situations on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River last year, it is critical that we remain vigilant and take whatever measures are necessary for ensuring that history does not repeat itself,” Gov. Cuomo said. “While New York has undertaken a wide range to preventative measures to protect against flooding, it would all be negated if the IJC mistakenly reduces outflows. With dozens of communities still recovering, the Commission must make the right decision and continue to maximize river and lake outflows.”

In the letter, the governor urged the IJC to sustain or increase the outflow levels in order to decrease the chances of potential flooding. While current Lake Ontario outflows are significantly higher than this time in 2017, despite this increased outflow, the lake’s water level remains high and is forecast to rise six inches by April 23. Given that a matter of inches of water determines whether a house is habitable or a road is passable, the governor is requesting that outflow decisions be made in accordance with the 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty which calls for the equitable sharing of this burden.

At the governor’s direction, state agencies stand ready to deploy the multi-agency Lake Ontario Rapid Response Team, which includes experts from the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, Department of Environmental Conservation, New York State Police, Department of Financial Services, and the Office of General Services, along with county and municipal agencies.

The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services has already begun to deploy nearly 250,000 sandbags, sandbagging equipment, Aqua Dams, and other response assets to ensure that the counties and towns can take appropriate action now before the water levels rise to the point of flooding. Additionally, the Department of Environmental Conservation has continued its emergency permitting process which allows property owners to bolster break-walls and other protective structures.

In another letter sent to the IJC this year, the state urged maintaining the highest level of outflows possible through the Moses-Saunders Dam. Another letter sent by Gov. Cuomo to the Buffalo District Commander of the United States Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District earlier this year requested advanced measures assistance to ensure the protection of flood-prone communities along the Lake Ontario shoreline.

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