Although the Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River regulation plan, Plan 2014, was adopted and became effective January 1, 2017, the St. Lawrence River Board of Control has not seemed able to respond in a timely manner to unexpected weather conditions.

Thus, in 2018 Lake St. Lawrence experienced the lowest water levels it has seen in over 20 years.

Congresswoman Stefanik (October 8) and Senator Ritchie (October 1) got a firsthand look at the low water levels we have been experiencing on Lake St. Lawrence.

Each of them spent about 40 minutes listening to and speaking with shoreline-property owners about the negative effects of low water levels.

Congresswoman Stefanik and Senator Ritchie asked good questions and seemed to have a firm grasp of the problem. They both realize that the St. Lawrence River is an integral part of our St. Lawrence County economy.

If we are going to continue hosting fishing tournaments we need reasonable water levels. If our campgrounds and marinas are going to thrive, we need reasonable water levels.

If we want to continue to collect sales tax from boat sales and DMV revenue from boat and trailer registrations, we need reasonable water levels.

If we want to maintain the tax revenue from shoreline property we need reasonable water levels.

The International Joint Commission (IJC) is a federal agency. As our federal representative, Congresswoman Stefanik believes there are several possible avenues she can explore so that the IJC becomes proactive rather than reactive.

She will speak to the IJC about setting minimum & maximum water levels on Lake St. Lawrence as well as allowing deviations from Plan 2014 when necessary.

I thank Congresswoman Stefanik and Sen. Ritchie for taking the time out of their very busy schedules to visit the area.

I know they heard and understood the issues and will do all they can to communicate the needs of St. Lawrence County to the IJC.

Nancy W. Foster

Louisville