US Governor of New York State Andrew Cuomo has criticized the joint US-Canadian commission that regulates water levels on Lake Ontario for their seemingly poor management, which the governor alleged has led to flooding.
The governor called out the International Joint Commission (IJC) on its “blunders” while proposing new steps the state could take to assist those affected by the recent flooding and shoreline erosion.
Cuomo said that while the lake levels have been impacted by record rainfall this spring, particularly along the Great Lakes basin, the board should have made better decisions about lowering water levels earlier this year.
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“There’s no doubt but that the IJC blew it,” he said in a conference at Greece, Monroe County – one of the areas in NY State that was severely affected by the flooding.
“I think the IJC has made a series of blunders,” Cuomo stressed. “Their methodology was flawed to begin with. They’re doing tremendous damage and it has to stop now.”
Cuomo drew attention to a recently enacted water level management scheme called Plan 2014, which allows about two inches to the upper range of the previous recommended water level limit, and an extra eight inches to the lower range.
The governor on Monday announced that the state will be enacting three measures to resolve the immediate flooding issue: a US$7 million fund to assist homeowners in rebuilding their properties, a 5mph speed limit on boaters within 600 feet of the shoreline, and an acceleration of the delivery of money to assist property owners through the Clean Water Initiative.
He also said that the state has pledged US$10 million to assist local governments and US$5 million for small businesses affected by the flooding.
NewYorkUpstate.com reported that the lake level, which is at least 33 inches above normal for the end of May, has yet to reach its limit and may not recede for another seven or eight weeks.
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