The International Joint Commission that regulates the Great Lakes has named a 16-member panel as part of a potential overhaul of Plan 2014. The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Adaptive Management Committee will review the controversial plan and see what improvements can be made.
Lake Ontario shoreline residents and business owners blame Plan 2014 for the flooding in 2017 and 2019 that damaged their properties. The plan was designed to let the lake waters rise and fall more naturally. The IJC blames record-high rainfalls in both years for the flooding.
The IJC website says it set up the new panel in response to public concerns and that its review began in February. Phase one of the review is expected to last about 18 months.
Any changes in the regulatory plan have to be approved by the IJC, then both the Canadian and United States governments.