[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 128 (Wednesday, July 3, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40260-40261]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-16022]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 8369]


International Joint Commission: Public Comment on a Proposal for 
Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River Regulation

    The International Joint Commission (IJC) is inviting the public to 
comment on a proposal for managing the water levels and flows in Lake 
Ontario and the St. Lawrence River that will continue to contribute to 
the economic health of communities throughout the basin while improving 
the long-term ecological health of Lake Ontario and the upper St. 
Lawrence River.
    Since 1960, the IJC has managed the flow of water at the Moses-
Saunders hydropower dam, located on the St Lawrence River between 
Cornwall, Ontario and Massena, New York. The management of water flows 
influences water levels on Lake Ontario and in the St Lawrence River as 
far downstream as Lake St. Pierre. Although water levels and flows are 
primarily determined by precipitation, snowpack and storms, water flow 
management has provided substantial benefits to the region. These 
include reducing flooding and erosion on the Lake Ontario shoreline, 
reducing flooding downstream, and providing more favorable conditions 
on the lake and river for water intakes, recreational boating, 
commercial navigation and hydroelectric power production.
    The IJC is proposing to manage water levels with fewer negative 
environmental impacts on Lake Ontario and the upper St. Lawrence River. 
Extensive research shows the policies developed in the 1950s have 
restricted water levels to the extent of degrading coastal wetlands on 
Lake Ontario and the upper St. Lawrence River. This degradation impacts 
the health of native plants, birds, fish and other animals. While 
continuing to reduce extreme high and low water levels, the water 
management proposal would allow more natural water level patterns on 
Lake Ontario while retaining benefits downstream. This is expected to

[[Page 40261]]

improve wetland health on Lake Ontario and the upper St. Lawrence River 
on a scale larger than any restoration actions taken to date.
    Commissioners invite the public to attend and present comments at 
public hearings that will be held the following dates and locations:

                                                           Public Hearing Schedule--July, 2013
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                                     Monday 15 6:00 pm-9:00    Tuesday 16 6:00 pm-   Wednesday 17 6:00 pm-   Thursday 18 6:00 pm-    Friday 19 1:00 pm-
     Sunday 14  6:00pm-9:00 pm                 pm                    9:00 pm                9:00 pm                9:00 pm                3:00 pm
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Lockport, NY, Cornell Cooperative    Jordan, ON, Ramada      Williamson, NY,         Alexandria Bay, NY,    Montreal, QC, Best     Cornwall, ON, Ramada
 Extension, 4-H Training Center       Beacon Harbour-side     Williamson Central      Bonnie Castle, 31      Western Plus Hotel     Inn, St. Lawrence
 4487 Lake Avenue.                    Hotel & Suites,         High School,            Holland St.            Europa, Mont Blanc     West Room, 805
                                      Harbour Sanderson Rm,   Auditorium, 5891                               Room, 1240 Drummond    Brookdale Ave.
                                      2793 Beacon Blvd.       Route 21.                                      St.
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    People attending the public hearings who wish to provide oral 
comments will need to register to speak at the hearing. Registration 
will be available on-site starting 30 minutes before the start time of 
each hearing. Speakers are asked to limit prepared comments to three 
minutes so as many as possible have an opportunity to speak.
    Commissioners are also holding technical hearings. Participation is 
by invitation of the Commission. Members of the public may attend the 
technical hearings as observers.

                                      Technical Hearing Schedule--July 2013
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                                  Tuesday 16,  10:00     Wednesday 17,    Thursday 18,  1:00   Friday 19,  10:00
  Monday 15,  12:30 pm-3:00 pm        am-3:00 pm       10:00 am-12:30 pm      pm-4:00 pm          am-11:30 am
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Toronto, ON, Courtyard Marriott,  Rochester, NY,      Oswego, NY, Lake    Montreal, QC, Best  Cornwall Island,
 475 Yong Street.                  Hyatt Regency,      Ontario Event and   Western Plus        Tri-District
                                   Ballroom AB, 125    Conference          Hotel Europa,       Elders Lodge,
                                   E. Main St.         Center, 70 East     Mont Blanc Room,    Main Hall, 12
                                                       1st Street.         1240 Drummond St.   Community Centre
                                                                                               Rd.
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    Written comments and other documents may be submitted at the public 
information sessions, through the Comments section of ijc.org/en_/losl 
or by regular mail to either of the following addresses:
International Joint Commission Secretary, U.S. Section, 2000 L Street 
NW., Suite 615, Washington, DC 20440
International Joint Commission Secretary, Canadian Section, 234 Laurier 
Avenue W., 22nd Floor, Ottawa, ON K1P 6K6
    Comments received by August 30, 2013 will be included in the record 
of public comment. The International Joint Commission was established 
under the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 to help the United States and 
Canada prevent and resolve disputes over the use of the waters the two 
countries share. Its responsibilities include considering applications 
for projects that affect the natural levels and flows of boundary 
waters. For more information, visit the Commission's Web site at 
www.ijc.org.

    Dated: June 28, 2013.
Charles A. Lawson,
Secretary, U.S. Section, International Joint Commission, Department of 
State.
[FR Doc. 2013-16022 Filed 7-2-13; 8:45 am]
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