CANTON – The St. Lawrence County Board of Legislators operations committee will consider supporting a water management plan for the St. Lawrence River.

The International Joint Commission, which regulates water levels on the St. Lawrence River, has concluded it’s current plan could be improved to maintain benefits to shipping, industry and hydropower production while providing a more benefits to the natural environment of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.

Beginning in 2005, the IJC has spent more than $20 million to conduct research, hold public hearings, review comments from stakeholders, and to develop a new system of regulation.

Numerous local governments in the North Country have signed on to support the new plan known as “Plan 2014,” including the Jefferson County Board of Legislators, and the City of Ogdensburg, Town of Hammond, Town of Morristown and Town of Potsdam in St. Lawrence County. Congressman William L. Owens has supported “Plan 2014,” as have all three candidates to fill his seat in Congress.

Now, the St. Lawrence County Board of Legislators will consider a resolution of support drafted by the County’s Environmental Management Council; it will be reviewed by the operations committee on Monday Oct. 20.

If approved at the Committee level, the resolution of support will be voted on at the BOL’s meeting on Nov. 3.