MASSENA -- The International Joint Commission (IJC) has scheduled public information sessions, including one in Massena, to discuss a new approach to managing levels and flows in the Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River system.

The flow of water from Lake Ontario down the St. Lawrence River is regulated at the Moses-Saunders Dam in accordance with the IJC's 1956 order of approval. A new approach would allow for more variability in water levels to help restore environmental conditions while moderating extreme high and low water levels to benefit other basin interests, according to the IJC.

An "adaptive management strategy" would improve the capability to adapt to future changes, including socio-economic changes, bigger storms or more severe droughts. Details of the approach are available at www.ijc.org/LOSLR.

The commission will hold information sessions in communities on both Canadian and U.S. shores, including one at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 29, at the Louisville Volunteer Fire Department, 14818 State Rt. 37.

Presentations by IJC staff and technical experts will be followed by questions and comments from the audience.

Written comments and other documents may be submitted at the public information sessions, through the “voice your comments” feature at www.ijc.org/LOSLR, or by regular mail or email to any one of the following addresses.

International Joint Commission U.S. Section 2000 L Street, NW Suite #615 Washington, DC 20440 Commission@washington.ijc.org

International Joint Commission Canadian Section 234 Laurier Avenue West 22nd Floor Ottawa, ON K1P 6K6 Commission@ottawa.ijc.org

Comments received by June 15 will assist the IJC in developing a proposal.

The IJC commissioners will hold formal public hearings on the proposal before arriving at a decision.

The International Joint Commission is an independent and objective organization that prevents and resolves disputes between the United States and Canada under the 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty and pursues the common good of both countries. Under the treaty, it approves projects that affect the levels and flows of boundary waters, such as the international hydroelectric power project located at Cornwall, Ontario and Massena, New York.